+ Peaceful nothingness for miles. Gosh the plains out here so plain…read more + Except for the cows in the distance. Wonder how close I coulda gotten to them. - But still, felt like whole lotta nothing out there. . But I suppose it's a decent break in between your visits to the more exciting hot spots like Mt Rushmore and Custer SP. . Prob gotta dig deeper to find the few animals you see in the other reviews' photos, but I was omw to too many flagship destinations to slow down here, unfortunately.

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!

Great place, free parking, free entrance, nice displays. You can get a guided tour to go see one of…read morethe missile control facilities that you have to drive to or one of the missile silos, you also would have to drive there. It's at the eastern exit for the entrance to Badlands national Park. I remember when this visitor center was in a trailer house next to the gas station there. This is a beautiful facility. Scary history, but necessary to remember it.

+ Nice free war history museum (and show). + Good amount of…read moreparking, - but no shade in that windy desert heat. + Restrooms and water bottle refill station. + Nice, helpful staff. - Crowded inside. . Popular place for schoolchildren's field trips. - While I was using the men's restroom, the boys turned off the light. I didn't like that.

The Window Trail in Badlands National Park is proof that you don't need a long hike to experience…read morean unforgettable view. This short, easy trail is one of the most rewarding stops in the entire park and is perfect for visitors of all ages and abilities. The boardwalk is well maintained and leads directly to a stunning overlook known as "The Window." As soon as you reach the end of the trail, you're greeted by an incredible panorama of jagged canyons, layered rock formations, and dramatic landscapes that seem almost otherworldly. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking and offers some of the best photo opportunities in the Badlands. What makes this trail especially impressive is how accessible it is. In just a few minutes, visitors can experience some of the most iconic views in South Dakota without needing to tackle a strenuous hike. The interpretive signs along the way also provide interesting information about the area's geology and history. We found ourselves spending far more time at the overlook than expected because there was always another angle or formation to admire. The vastness of the landscape is truly awe-inspiring. If you're visiting Badlands National Park, the Window Trail is an absolute must-see. It's scenic, easy, family-friendly, and delivers one of the most memorable views in the entire park. Highly recommended! Check out our video on our socials @reessroots

This is another very short, boardwalk trail Just .25 miles long, the trail ends at the window, a…read moreviewpoint of "the Wall" and the pinnacles and spires that make the badlands so famous. If you want to walk an easy trail but still get a good feel for the topography, this is definitely the best choice. Tip: The Notch Trail, Door Trail, and Window Trail all start from the same parking lot.

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.

Tryna review the adjacent Notch Trail, but guess this'll do, as they share the same parking lot. To…read moreclarify, Door Trail starts at Q37F+C8 Interior, SD, while Notch Trail starts at the other end of the parking lot: Q36C+2P Interior, SD. Glad I made it. The ladder's a fun gimmick. People seem to struggle on it a lot. But tbh it's easier than it looks. Just walk it. Don't worry about maintaining perfect balance on all fours every step of the way. Just go. Or else before you know it, crowds start lining up as young families hold up all the traffic on that single ladder, then it effectively becomes a bottleneck tourist trap. Try to beat the crowd. And minimize everyone's wait time. The ladder's here: 43°45'21.8"N 101°55'49.0"W which is a 1/2mi (10min) from the trailhead.

An unexpectedly fun trail! The first section of the trail was a boardwalk with some informational…read moresigns, however the trail continued out into the badlands for maybe another half mile. There were large poles indicating where the trail led. Lots of gorgeous views and definitely worth it!

+ Several exciting off-trails you can explore a lil. Just be careful, don't wander too far off…read more+ Lotta room for photo ops without anyone else in the bg. + A couple pit toilets here. + Multi-trash bins here to dump out yo basura. - Moderately crowded. Lotta people here, but a lotta space at this stop, so you're able to find your room still. + Decent amount of parking.

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.

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.

I really wanted to have a good experience at this park; I'm passing through for work and wanted to…read morefind a nice green space to walk my dog. When I arrived I was the only person there. The little park seemed idyllic, halcyon, a slice of hometown Americana. I leashed up my dog, grabbed some poop bags because I'm a good dog owner, and began to traverse the park. After a few minutes I found myself enjoying the sunshine with my dog and began to look for a trash can for the newly acquired baggie of doggie doo. That's when I noticed ...THEM. As I had passed through the grass, a tiny, unnoticed signal was passed and they lifted from the grass in a wave, stalking my movements only briefly before descending on my position in a full assault from all sides. They attacked again and again, latching onto my flesh and ripping into me with their mouth parts. I was familiar with their type, having traveled far and wide through the jungles and marshes and swamps, through the humid caves and bogs they preferred. I was not ready, and their surprise attack was critically effective. I had to fall back, I had to get out of their immediately and in a cowardly moment of panic I dropped the leash, turned, and ran, poop bag flailing in arcs through the air as I swung it haphazardly around me to fend off my attackers. I doused myself in repelly as they continued to swarm around me, landing on any spot on my clothes that I missed. They bounced against me as their little face holes were frustrated by my defensive coating. Encouraged and feeling protected I walked back out into the park, thinking "I can get through this minor inconvenience" and was immediately assailed in the nostrils and ears by a second wave of reinforcements. These were a new type of monster, unafraid of DEET, undeterred by their brethren's painful demise at my hands. They laughed in the face of their own end. They embraced it. This was my Vietnam. In the end I found myself in my car, nursing my wounds and executing the few trespassers in my vehicle with extreme prejudice. They'd defeated me, my dog was laughing at me (she was immune to their attacks) and I knew that others may find themselves in my shoes. I write this review now in my lowest of lows, my dignity forfeit, to warn the next traveler in my position to bring bug spray. Maybe a beekeeper suit, before daring to enter this forsaken place. 3 stars because nobody knew they were building this park on the portal to hell

Great little green space we had a picnic lunch at after trying unsuccessfully to have lunch at Wall…read moreDrug. Lots of room to walk our dogs. There is a swimming pool and even a space that looked like a combination basketball court/skateboard area. Our visit here made up for the disappointment that was Wall Drug. If I lived in Wall, I'd be here all the time!