This National Park consists of eroded buttes and pinnacles and…heat and wind. Goodness! How windy it was! In fact, it is because of the wind that I’m not including a video…it was TOO noisy.
The colors were really pretty and not at all like I was expecting. There was a Visitor’s area across from the “Entering the Badlands” sign. It was mostly closed up due to Covid, but they did have a window open where you could order something to eat off of a limited menu. I chose a Caesar salad while Bryan went more adventurous and had tacos served on Indian Flatbread. I think his was better than mine! We had ample parking…again, it was during Covid.
I have to say that the National Park was not our intended destination. At first, we tried entering an Indian Reservation and were kindly made to turn around. I think we were both saddened by their “request’ because (1) we never got the chance to see what was “just around the bend”, and (2) the road leading up to our abrupt turn around consisted of MILES of rough, bumpy road that we were going to have to cross again. Keep this in mind if you are on a bike! However, the turn-off leading to the National Park offered us a chance to take the pictures below!
The Prairie Homestead
After leaving the Badlands National Park, we found what I think of as The Little House on the Prairie! It’s about half a mile from the National Park and is RICH with history. It was built in 1909 and not only can you tour (and touch) the home and belongings, you can dress up in period clothes!
We toured the home, barn, root cellar, and surrounding land. There were SO MANY prairie dogs running around and watching you. It was a great place to get out, stretch your legs, and shop in the visitor center.
If you find yourself in the area, make sure to include this on your stop. I’m including their website for more information.
