The Badlands, South Dakota
The Painted Moonscape
Eroded spires, striped buttes, and bison on the South Dakota prairie.
At a glance · 5 reasons to go
Why The Badlands, South Dakota.
Drive the Badlands Loop past striped buttes.
Hike among eroded spires and canyons.
Bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs.
Stunning sunrise and sunset light.
An otherworldly prairie landscape.
Read the full story
The Badlands look like another planet — jagged, candy-striped spires and buttes rising from the prairie, glowing pink and gold at dawn. Bison and bighorn roam, and a short loop drive delivers the drama. Pair with the Black Hills.
Read this before you go
Sicherheit
Safety Overview
The Badlands, South Dakota
STUB: Add overall safety summary for The Badlands, South Dakota.
Emergency Contacts — Save These Now
- Police
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- Medical
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Reviewed: 2026-06-06
If It’s Safe Travel… Travel Well.
Before You Travel
Five minutes of preparation means your whole group has emergency numbers, hospitals and your GPS location available offline — no WiFi needed when it matters most.
Traveling to The Badlands, South Dakota with a pet?
🇺🇸 United States has specific entry rules — microchip, rabies, permits and more. See exactly what your pet needs before you book.
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