Badlands National Park, Loop Road Animal Viewing,
South Dakota
South Dakota
At the east end of the Loop Road, Helicopter rides are available for tour over the Badlands National Park.
The larger animals in the park are wild buffalo, prong horn antelope, big horn sheep, mule deer, and
white tail deer. The remoteness of the park in the southwest corner of South Dakota, about 60 miles east of
Rapid City and Mount Rushmore, keeps the animals wild. Coyote and Lynx could be spotted along the
roadsides in early morning or evening. The loop Road provides some great views of the natural landscape
shaped by the elemental forces of wind and water. An eroded landscape of stratified layers of variously
colored deposits spreads over a huge area of grasslands and makes an inspiring sight. From the pullouts on
the loop road, you can see the animals graze in the grasslands between the cliffs.
The larger animals in the park are wild buffalo, prong horn antelope, big horn sheep, mule deer, and
white tail deer. The remoteness of the park in the southwest corner of South Dakota, about 60 miles east of
Rapid City and Mount Rushmore, keeps the animals wild. Coyote and Lynx could be spotted along the
roadsides in early morning or evening. The loop Road provides some great views of the natural landscape
shaped by the elemental forces of wind and water. An eroded landscape of stratified layers of variously
colored deposits spreads over a huge area of grasslands and makes an inspiring sight. From the pullouts on
the loop road, you can see the animals graze in the grasslands between the cliffs.
Tent and RV camping are available in the park for $15 per night. Dump station only for RV. Dump fee $1.00
for those passing through. Self-pay kiosk, credit card or correct change. The sites are small sites with no
shade.
Drive through the campground, pick an unoccupied site, pay at the kiosk, and clip your receipt to the post.
Private campgrounds are nearby in the town of Interior.
for those passing through. Self-pay kiosk, credit card or correct change. The sites are small sites with no
shade.
Drive through the campground, pick an unoccupied site, pay at the kiosk, and clip your receipt to the post.
Private campgrounds are nearby in the town of Interior.
Many wild animals inhabit the park, common sights being the prong horn antelope, the mule deer,
and in certain sections of the park, such as the Sage Creek Wilderness, the wild buffalo.
Buffalo were reintroduced and now number 800 animals. The animal pictured below is a captive
animal in a coral about a half way between the park campground and the village of Interior.
From the parks overlooks and viewpoints you can see wild animals grazing in the flat grassland
below. Binoculars help to see them as they keep their distance from the road except in early
morning or at dusk when they are more apt to be on the move.
Lynx or bobcat work the roadsides for road kill in the early morning. A large Prairie dog town
lies on both sides of the road at about the midpoint of the loop road.
and in certain sections of the park, such as the Sage Creek Wilderness, the wild buffalo.
Buffalo were reintroduced and now number 800 animals. The animal pictured below is a captive
animal in a coral about a half way between the park campground and the village of Interior.
From the parks overlooks and viewpoints you can see wild animals grazing in the flat grassland
below. Binoculars help to see them as they keep their distance from the road except in early
morning or at dusk when they are more apt to be on the move.
Lynx or bobcat work the roadsides for road kill in the early morning. A large Prairie dog town
lies on both sides of the road at about the midpoint of the loop road.
RV vacationers use the park as a convenient stopover on
the way west or east on route 90; the park's loop road is
an east/west road. Bikers on the way to the first week in
August rally at Sturgis, North Dakota make the park a
stop on the way. The Rally draws a reported 700,000
people
Park entrance Fees
$15. vehicle
$10. motorcycle
$7. individual Hiker or biker
Camping $15.
Camping with electrical hookup $28
the way west or east on route 90; the park's loop road is
an east/west road. Bikers on the way to the first week in
August rally at Sturgis, North Dakota make the park a
stop on the way. The Rally draws a reported 700,000
people
Park entrance Fees
$15. vehicle
$10. motorcycle
$7. individual Hiker or biker
Camping $15.
Camping with electrical hookup $28
Hiking is best
done on the many
trails in the park
Primitive camping
(back country) is
allowed in the park
1/2 mile from the
roads
done on the many
trails in the park
Primitive camping
(back country) is
allowed in the park
1/2 mile from the
roads
There are many viewpoints on the paved Loop Road through the park. Hiking trails depart from
some of the viewpoints.
some of the viewpoints.
Badlands National Park offers a 40 mile scenic Loop
Road that is great for animal viewing.
The Scenic Byway, Route 240, parallels I-90 about 60 miles
east of Rapid City and Mount Rushmore. The park offers
some great views of animals grazing on the open plain below
cliffs that were shaped by wind and water to make stratified
layers of variously colored deposits. This unique landscape
spreads over a huge area of grasslands where herds of wild
bison, antelope, and deer graze
Road that is great for animal viewing.
The Scenic Byway, Route 240, parallels I-90 about 60 miles
east of Rapid City and Mount Rushmore. The park offers
some great views of animals grazing on the open plain below
cliffs that were shaped by wind and water to make stratified
layers of variously colored deposits. This unique landscape
spreads over a huge area of grasslands where herds of wild
bison, antelope, and deer graze
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Badlands National Park Loop Road offers
Animal Viewing. The loop road parallels
I-90 about 60 miles east of Rapid City and
Mount Rushmore. The park offers some
great views of animals grazing on the open
plain below the naturally eroding cliffs.
Animal Viewing. The loop road parallels
I-90 about 60 miles east of Rapid City and
Mount Rushmore. The park offers some
great views of animals grazing on the open
plain below the naturally eroding cliffs.
Badlands Loop Road Animal Viewing
Badlands Loop Road Animal Viewing
Badlands Loop Road Animal Viewing
Badlands
Animal
Viewing
Animal
Viewing
This driver had a close up as the deer bounded across
the road and onto the hood of his car.
the road and onto the hood of his car.
How to Reach the Badlands: The nearest large city is Rapid City South Dakota. Air
service reaches Rapid City from hubs in Denver and Chicago. Rental cars are available
at the airport. From Rapid City take scenic Route 44 east to Interior and the National
Park campground or take Route route 90 east to Wall and find the Park entrance and
loop road.
service reaches Rapid City from hubs in Denver and Chicago. Rental cars are available
at the airport. From Rapid City take scenic Route 44 east to Interior and the National
Park campground or take Route route 90 east to Wall and find the Park entrance and
loop road.
Best Time To Visit Badlands South Dakota: May to October 40 f at night 65 f days
The weather is perfect June, July, August but the mid day temperature can reach over 100 f.
Cool in May and September, Cold and winter snows October to April Total snow 2 feet per
year. June is a wet month. July and August can have thunderstorms with hail.
The weather is perfect June, July, August but the mid day temperature can reach over 100 f.
Cool in May and September, Cold and winter snows October to April Total snow 2 feet per
year. June is a wet month. July and August can have thunderstorms with hail.
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| Badlands SD Sightseeing |
| Badlands Area Camping |
| Badlands Hiking |
| Badlands Animal Viewing |
| Badlands Area Sightseeing |
| Badlands Camping |
| Badlands NP History |
| Badlands Lodging |
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the Prairie Rattlesnake lives in the park but is
seldom encountered
seldom encountered
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