Here's a sample of the awe-inspiring photos and article by Mike Koplen.
"...The grasslands quickly disappeared and I found myself riding through arid terrain, flat desert plains leading to jagged mountains and intricate mazes of weird rock formations. I stared out from my helmet at an alien landscape: colored rock layers, narrow ravines, deep gullies, knife-sharp ridges, buttes and pinnacles rising up out of the desert like petrified sea monsters, looking like no place I had ever seen on this earth... " https://favoriteridesanddestinations.com/
Badlands National Park
![Wikipedia photo by Carol M. Highsmith [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Badlands_National_Park,_South_Dakota,_04594u.jpg)
"The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient mammals such as the rhino, horse, and saber-toothed cat once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today." https://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm
Operating Hours & Seasons - The park's main visitor center, the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, is open daily all year, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. During the summer months, ranger-led programs, and other events are offered throughout the day. In the South Unit, the White River Visitor Center is open during the summer months and offers information, restrooms, and cultural exhibits.
Lodging - Cedar Pass Lodge is the only lodging and restaurant in the park and offers visitors a memorable stay... Cabins book up fast and visitors should contact the Lodge directly for reservations.
Camping - There are two designated campgrounds available at the park ...
Wind Cave National Park
All cave tours are ranger-guided and leave from the visitor center. The visitor center is open and cave tours are offered daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Days. All tours begin and end at the visitor center... The temperature inside the cave remains 54 degrees F (11 degrees C) year round... The park receives about 18" of rain annually, most falling in the spring. Summers are generally hot and dry, though thunderstorms, some producing large hail, are fairly common. Fall provides warm, dry days and cool evenings... The park is open all day, every day for you to explore... For current road and trail conditions call the visitor center at 605.745.4600.
State Map
Guidebook
