Mars Adventure｜Badlands National Park Guide 🚀🏜️

Welcome to Badlands National Park in South Dakota! If you’re planning a trip here, we recommend staying in Rapid City and setting aside 3 days and 2 nights. Other nearby attractions include Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, and Mount Rushmore. Our total cost for 3 people was $812.01, with Airbnb accommodation costing $523.30. Park entry is $30 per vehicle, but if you visit national parks often, consider buying the Annual Pass for $80 (valid for one year). The park has multiple entrances, but the road forms a loop, with most attractions concentrated in the eastern section. It feels like stepping onto another planet! 🌌 The colors of the land shift from pale yellow to vibrant hues. The layered hills tell a story millions of years in the making—each stratum represents millennia of geological history. Some layers whisper tales of lush ancient wetlands, while others hint at vast grazing lands. Must-Visit Spots 📍 Robert's Prairie Dog Town A hilarious and lively prairie dog colony! 🐿️ At first glance, you might only see a few holes, but look closer—the ground is bustling with these cute little sentinels and their intricate burrows. 📍 Badlands Wilderness Overlook True to its name, this spot offers incredible wildlife sightings—bison, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and more! 🐏🐂 Despite the stark landscape, life thrives here. 📍 Big Badlands Overlook Your first or last stop depending on which entrance you use. If coming from the city, this might be your grand finale! 📍 Yellow Mounds Overlook Here, the earth’s palette truly comes alive. Each layer boasts its own color, and the hills resemble a giant layered cake 🎂—a breathtaking natural marvel! 📍 Bigfoot Pass Overlook Once home to Native communities. ⚠️ Watch out for rattlesnakes! They blend perfectly with the terrain, so stay on designated paths. 🐍 📍 ❤️ Fossil Exhibit Trailhead Don’t miss this! 🦴 Explore displays of fossils found in the area and even venture into the dig sites. 📍 ❤️ Saddle Pass Trail & Notch Trail A bit longer but highly recommended for adventurous hikers! Trek deep into the badlands and you might even spot fossil remnants. We met a hiker who showed us photos—so cool! 😍 📌 Nearby Attraction: Minuteman Missile National Historic Site 🚀 – a declassified nuclear missile silo open for tours. #USTravel #BadlandsNationalPark #SouthDakota #NationalParks #AdventureAwaits