Palisades State Park, South Dakota 🏞️

📍 Location: Palisades State Park, South Dakota 🗺️ About the Park: Established in 1972, Palisades State Park is one of South Dakota’s most unique natural areas 🌄. Known for its striking quartzite cliffs and canyons formed around 1.5 billion years ago, it features some of the oldest rock formations on Earth! The park offers several short trails totaling about 3.2 km—perfect for a 1-2 hour hike to see the main attractions. The beautiful pink Sioux Quartzite formations vary in height and look especially majestic with the rushing summer waters flowing through the valleys. 🏕️ Camping Experience: We stayed at the Queen Campground cabin 🛖—a family-sized unit with three beds, comfortably fitting at least four people. The cabin includes a table, chairs, and air conditioning for year-round comfort. Outside, there’s a fire ring for cooking 🔥, and it’s the perfect spot for stargazing at night. Don’t forget to bring 1-2 bundles of firewood! ❗❗❗ Friendly Reminders: Bugs are common in summer—bring insect repellent 🦟 Stay hydrated and use sun protection—it gets hot ☀️ Wear hiking or anti-slip shoes—some rocks can be slippery 🥾 📸 Photo Tips: Capture the pink cliffs at sunrise for the best light 🌅 Shoot upward from the canyon floor to emphasize the grandeur of the rocks 📷 Use water reflections for dreamy, magical shots 💧 👣 Trail Distance: 3.2 km ⌛ Duration: 1-2 hours 🥾 Terrain: Forest paths, gravel, rocky sections ⛰️ Max Elevation: 445 m 🔝 Total Ascent: 15 m 📷 Shot on: iPhone 13 (unedited) #USA #LifeInTheUS #SouthDakota #TravelInspo #Hiking #Outdoors #Summer #Camping #Forest