Badlands National Park
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On December 19, 2015, Ashlie and I visited Badlands National Park in South Dakota while on our Winter Road Trip, Part One. This was our first time visiting this amazing place and we absolutely loved it!
Since it was winter, we pretty much had free run of the whole park. We only saw a few other visitors there who seemed just as surprised to see us as we were to see them. The lack of people is one of the reasons we enjoy visiting places during the off season. |
Another reason is, it can provide a completely different prospective of a place that you do not see in most pictures. The majority of photographs we have seen of Badlands National Park seem to have been captured during the summer months. The snow filled landscape that we saw during our visit was dramatically different than the dry, summer pictures we found online. Having said that, we want to experience this unique place again when it is not covered in snow so we can compare the difference in person.
So why is Badlands National Park called the Badlands? Thats a great question and I'm glad I asked it! This area covers approximately 244,000 acres of jagged and tough terrain. This along with the extreme temperatures and lack of water is why the Lakota Indians named it "mako sica", which translates into "land bad." Fur trappers, explorers, and other people are said to have referred to this area as bad and/or difficult land to travel through.
Thankfully this land has been preserved and protected. In 1939 it was established as Badlands National Monument. It was not until November 10, 1978 that it was given the National Park designation. To learn more about National Parks, Monuments and Memorials, check out our article here: United States National Parks
So why is Badlands National Park called the Badlands? Thats a great question and I'm glad I asked it! This area covers approximately 244,000 acres of jagged and tough terrain. This along with the extreme temperatures and lack of water is why the Lakota Indians named it "mako sica", which translates into "land bad." Fur trappers, explorers, and other people are said to have referred to this area as bad and/or difficult land to travel through.
Thankfully this land has been preserved and protected. In 1939 it was established as Badlands National Monument. It was not until November 10, 1978 that it was given the National Park designation. To learn more about National Parks, Monuments and Memorials, check out our article here: United States National Parks
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Back to the story. Since we were on our winter road trip, we had a schedule to stick to as our main destination was Washington state to spend the holidays with family (hi mom).
We arrived in the area late on the night of December 18th. Rather than get a hotel room in Rapid City, which is about an hour northwest of Badlands National Park, we decided to sleep in the FJ Cruiser near the entrance of the park. It was cold, but we had the right gear for the occasion! |
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After a few hours of sleep, we brushed out teeth, slapped on some deodorant and ventured through the gates into Badlands National Park. We of course have seen pictures and videos of this area, but they do not do this place justice. We were both captivated by how vast and rough the scenery was. Just like so many other destinations we have visited, we were both more impressed with the "nothingness" than we were expecting.
Nothingness is not a derogatory expression. In fact, it is quite the opposite. When you look out over the landscape you do not see man made structures, you do not see an overabundance of life, you do not see anything other than the natural beauty found within the nothingness. We have experienced this type of feeling in a few other locations like, the Grand Canyon National Park, White Sands National Monument, Top of the World, Horseshoe Bend, and Bryce Canyon National Park, just to name a few.
Although Badlands National Park is in the middle of nowhere, that does not mean there is not other amazing and neat places to visit. For instance, while passing through South Dakota, stop off in the small town of Wall. While there, visit a place called Wall Drug Store for a free glass of ice water and to learn about their interesting history. It is approximately 30 minutes west of Badlands National Park off of I-90. Don't worry, you will see signs for it hundreds of miles away. All the signs (you'll see what we mean) do a fantastic job of building suspense and curiosity for the store.
Another great place in that part of South Dakota is Mount Rushmore National Memorial, which is about an hour and a half west of Badlands National Park. Last but not least is Devils Tower in Wyoming. This destination is about two hours and forty-five minutes west of Badlands National Park. We visited all three of these places while on this road trip.
We enjoyed our time here and look forward to our next adventure at Badlands National Park. If you find yourself in this area we highly recommend taking the time to visit.
Nothingness is not a derogatory expression. In fact, it is quite the opposite. When you look out over the landscape you do not see man made structures, you do not see an overabundance of life, you do not see anything other than the natural beauty found within the nothingness. We have experienced this type of feeling in a few other locations like, the Grand Canyon National Park, White Sands National Monument, Top of the World, Horseshoe Bend, and Bryce Canyon National Park, just to name a few.
Although Badlands National Park is in the middle of nowhere, that does not mean there is not other amazing and neat places to visit. For instance, while passing through South Dakota, stop off in the small town of Wall. While there, visit a place called Wall Drug Store for a free glass of ice water and to learn about their interesting history. It is approximately 30 minutes west of Badlands National Park off of I-90. Don't worry, you will see signs for it hundreds of miles away. All the signs (you'll see what we mean) do a fantastic job of building suspense and curiosity for the store.
Another great place in that part of South Dakota is Mount Rushmore National Memorial, which is about an hour and a half west of Badlands National Park. Last but not least is Devils Tower in Wyoming. This destination is about two hours and forty-five minutes west of Badlands National Park. We visited all three of these places while on this road trip.
We enjoyed our time here and look forward to our next adventure at Badlands National Park. If you find yourself in this area we highly recommend taking the time to visit.
- For more information on the U.S. National Park System and its history, read our article by clicking here: United States National Parks.
- To learn more about Arches, visit the National Park Services website by click here: Arches National Park
Just because this story is finished, does not mean the adventure is. We have additional content down below, along with an interactive comment section at the bottom of the page. Feel free to stay with us a little longer and continue your journey through Badlands National Park!
Sources: NPS.gov | Nationalparked.com | Blackhillsbadlands.com
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Gallery
*Winter Road Trip, Part One (2015)*
One More Video
Bourn Adventure Postcards
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Not only do we document our travels, but we also sell rad stickers, patches, and other products as a way to help others show off their adventures! Going to the mountains? We have a patch for that! Going camping? We have a sticker for that! Sun beating down on your head? You guessed it; we have a hat for that!
Since we launched our store in 2012, we have shipped products all over the United States and to more than 30 countries. To see all the places our products are in use, |
Click on the picture to see our other postcard adventures!
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please click here: BAG Products World Map. We are blessed to have so many people around the globe rocking Bourn Adventure Gear. We wanted a way to personally thank them for their order.
Our solution was to create Bourn Adventure postcards. This allowed us the opportunity to give each order a personal touch while continuing to share adventures from all over the world. We breathe new life in our postcards by periodically changing destinations and showcasing new locations. Each postcard series is assigned a number and runs for a limited time. Once that particular postcard is gone, it is done!
We selected the Badlands National Park to be featured as our BA 2020 postcard series #11 and just like the postcard before it, it was a big hit! Customers have told us of conversations generated by the postcards hanging on their refrigerator or in their office. Hearing that something so simple could spark curiosity and encourage adventure brings a smile to our faces.
To place an order and get your Bourn Adventure postcard, please visit our retail site: Bourn Adventure Gear
Our solution was to create Bourn Adventure postcards. This allowed us the opportunity to give each order a personal touch while continuing to share adventures from all over the world. We breathe new life in our postcards by periodically changing destinations and showcasing new locations. Each postcard series is assigned a number and runs for a limited time. Once that particular postcard is gone, it is done!
We selected the Badlands National Park to be featured as our BA 2020 postcard series #11 and just like the postcard before it, it was a big hit! Customers have told us of conversations generated by the postcards hanging on their refrigerator or in their office. Hearing that something so simple could spark curiosity and encourage adventure brings a smile to our faces.
To place an order and get your Bourn Adventure postcard, please visit our retail site: Bourn Adventure Gear
