Visiting the White River Valley Overlook inside Badlands National Park was one of the highlights of…read moreour trip. This is one of those places that completely catches you off guard in the best way. You pull over expecting a quick viewpoint, and then suddenly you're looking out over this massive, open valley that just seems to go on forever. The contrast between the rugged Badlands formations and the wide, rolling landscape below is incredible. It honestly feels like two completely different environments meeting in one place. The colors, the textures, and the sheer scale of it all make it feel almost unreal when you're standing there. What makes this stop even better is how easy it is to access. There's no long hike required--just park, walk a short distance, and you're right there taking in one of the best views in the park. It's perfect for all ages and a great place to pause and really appreciate the scenery. If you're visiting the Badlands, this overlook is absolutely worth the stop. It's peaceful, stunning, and unforgettable. Check out our videos on our socials @reessroots

"You spend your life waiting For a moment that just don't…read morecome Well don't waste your time waiting Badlands, you gotta live it everyday" (Bruce Springsteen) The last National Park visit of our trip may have been my favorite. The sheer sight of these massive rock formations, cliffs, buttes, pinnacles and spires truly made me feel as if I was a space traveler that had crash landed on the ancient world of a distant planet. Words cannot adequately describe the majesty of what I saw. Badlands also has the largest protected mixed grass prairie in America and is home to bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets. The park is also famous for its abundance of fossils. I read that ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. We were able to walk out into the rock formations and overlooked the vast multi-colored stone canyons and valleys, marvel at the soaring cliffs and gorges, and just revel in this fantastic natural beauty. Talk about a religious experience, it was simply gorgeous and breathtaking. Badlands Facts Badlands National Park is our 39th National Park and was established on November 10, 1978. Badlands is a mid-sized park with 244,000 acres Badlands draws around 1 million visitors per year.

If you want to get up close with the amazing rock formations of the Badlands without a full-on…read morehike, this is a great option. The Door Trail is 0.75 miles long (round-trip), flat, and great for almost all ability levels. The trail starts off as a boardwalk (100 meters of the hike is on a boardwalk). Once off the boardwalk, you will hike 800 meters into the Badlands, on rough, uneven terrain. The national park service lists this part of the trail as strenuous but I think most people will find it to be easy but fun. Kids will love this short, fun hike. Tip: The Notch Trail, Door Trail, and Window Trail all start from the same parking lot.

Connected to the same boardwalk trail as window and notch trail. Super easy yet very picturesque!…read moreRecommend making a stop here!

Being from the east coast, I was aware of national parks, national monuments, national forests, and…read moreeven national seashores. But, I wasn't aware of national grasslands until traveling through South Dakota. We stumbled upon Buffalo Gap National Grasslands when we visited the nearby Badlands National Park. (Sept, 2024). Buffalo Gap, with almost 600 thousand acres in southwestern South Dakota, is the second largest protected national grassland in the United Stated. (It's second to the Little Missouri National Grasslands in North Dakota, with over one million acres). Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, its highlights are the colors of the prairie and chalk-colored geological formations, as well as old homesteads and the chance to see wildlife. While there are few developed recreational sites, there are plenty of opportunities to get out into nature here -- with nature viewing, mountain biking, hiking, camping (see below), horseback riding, and hunting. There is also a free Visitors Center in Wall, South Dakota with information about all of the national grasslands, and the importance of the prairie ecosystem. With respect to camping, we already had reservations at the campground in Badlands National Park, but while traveling along the Badlands loop road (Hwy 240), we noticed RVs camping on the top of a cliff in the National Grassland. When we checked online reviews, it was reported that the free dispersed camping offered "jaw dropping views" but with a lot of wind. We hope to return someday to report firsthand!

A must stop if traveling down I-90. Here, you won't find crowds or flashy landmarks--just endless…read morespace, solitude, and sky. It's a place that invites reflection and connection with nature in its most original form. The silence is profound, broken only by the occasional bird or whispering wind. You can almost feel the ancient rhythm of the land beneath your feet.

At this overlook we had a view above the Badlands. It was a very smelly tree here and garbage…read morereceptacles. We followed the boardwalk for a view over the Badlands. that's priceless.

As I came down HWY 240 and made my way through the entrance gate to Badlands NP, I knew I was in…read morefor something amazing. Pinnacles Overlook is the first pullover spot from after the entrance station in the Northwest part of the park and is a tremendous way to start your loop. (Don't worry, if you start at the Northeast, Big Badlands Overlook is just as spectacular). I recommend taking a few extra minutes to walk down from the parking area to the viewing area if you're able to.

The yellow mounds here were colorful & beautiful. The bison were fun to watch & the praire dogs…read more There were a lot of tourist here this week, all languages were heard.. the small lots are filling up very quickly

Conata Basin Overlook is a great location, just before the road drops down into a bizarre valley of…read morecolorful mounds and strange formations. This overlook gives you a view back towards the Yellow Mounds and more multi-colored layers of the Badlands. do not hike there, its sticks to your shoes.

Yellow Mounds section stands out from some of the overlooks and formations around it because of the…read moreshape and coloring. At first glance, I didn't think anything special, but after getting out at the overlook and walking around a little to fully capture the views and how they fit in with the surrounding landscape, I came away appreciating them more than it seemed.

As you approach the YellowMound Overlook (the next overlook on our list), you will drive through…read morevibrantly colored yellow hills. There is a turnout here where you can safely park your car and get out to enjoy the view. The yellow color comes from fossil soils, called paleosols, that have weathered and changed color when exposed to the sun.

You can walk short trails further out into the badlands for an even better view. Just beware! Don't…read moreget near the edge...the ground can be slippery and the cliffs are fragile and can give way under your feet. It's the perfect stop-off to look at the different layers in the rocks, including the red-colored fossil soils. The White River Valley Overlook is located on the south side of the road and there is ample parking. There is even parking for RVs and vehicles pulling campers. There are no restrooms or other amenities at this overlook. The overlook is wheelchair accessible. The spectacular views from the White River Valley Overlook make it a worthy stop for travelers of the Badlands Loop Road.

We loved our stay at Bin 2 Quinn! It was peaceful and beautiful. My son even made "friends" with…read morethe ducks that live there!

From the owner: Beautiful open starry sky’s, fishing camping and family fun read more

This was more than we expected. We came for a map and stayed for a half hour movie on the National…read moreGrasslands. So much wonderful information. We had already crossed the Oglala grassland and didn't understand the importance. If you have time see the free film.

Informative. Several maps and local guides available, potable water and bathrooms. A "patio talk"…read moretwice a day and upon request during this summer season, a film and please-touch gallery