By Susan Berg
Badlands National Park Travel Information & Travel Guide
Badlands National Park offers a scenic expanse of unusual geological formations and numerous paleontological finds. The park is made up of 244,000 acres; 64,144 of these acres are designated as wilderness. In addition to the area's rich geological resources, the park is home to the national park system's largest area of protected prairie ecosystem and black-footed ferrets, a rare species once on the brink of extinction.
Location
Badlands National Park is located in southwestern South Dakota. The park can be reached by car via I-90. The nearest airport to the Badlands is located in Rapid City, which is 80 miles west of the park.
Fees
The entrance fee for a private vehicle into Badlands National Park is $15. The fee for those entering the park by motorcycle is $10. Those entering the park by foot or bicycle must pay $7. The entrance fee provides admission for seven days. For those planning several trips to the Badlands, an annual pass is available for $30.
Visitor Centers
There are two visitor centers located in the park. The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. April 19 to May 30 and Aug. 16 to Oct. 31; 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. May 31 to Aug. 15; and 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Nov. 1 to April 18. This visitor center features exhibits on prairie ecosystems, paleontology and local Native American cultures. The White River Visitor Center is located on the Pine Ridge Reservation (Oglala Lakota). This visitor center is open
during the summer season only---10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 1 to Sept. 15.
Things to Do
The most popular activity in the park is hiking. The park features eight different trails that range between one-quarter mile and 10 miles long. Other park activities include taking part in a ranger-led program, such as a nature walk or interpretive talk.
Lodging
Accommodations in the park include the Cedar Pass Lodge, Badlands Inn and Cedar Pass Campground. The Cedar Pass Lodge features cabins with private baths, two-bedroom cabins with adjoining bathrooms and private cottages. The rustic cabins and cottages feature air conditioning and heat but no televisions or telephones. Rates range from $85 to $110 per night. The Badlands Inn features 18 hotel rooms with satellite TV, telephone, and air conditioning and heat. Rooms at the inn are $90 per night. The Cedar Pass Campground is open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. The fee for a site is $10 per night. Campground stays are limited to 14 days during the summer season. (Rates are accurate as on June 2009.)
Resources
About the Author:
A writer and editor based in southeastern Wyoming, Susan Berg has over ten years of experience in the field. Berg earned a Master of Arts degree in journalism from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Dayton. Her work has been published in the "Dayton Daily News" and online at websites including BiologyBiozine.com, Wcities.com, Trails.com, Travels.com and eHow.com.
Photo Credits:
Wikimedia Commons
