Badlands National Park - Activities

Notch Trail - Day Hike

Enjoy park trails like Cliff Shelf Nature Trail, Fossil Exhibit Trail, or the more aggressive Notch Trail. Explore the limitless backcountry options available by hiking or backpacking. Enjoy any of the ranger led programs offered throughout the day during the summer months. Visit the "Big Pig Dig". A paleontological dig active each summer just accross the road from the Conata Picnic Area. From the Badlands Loop Road take the drive on the unpaved Sage Creek Rim road to see bison, prairie dogs, and the 64,000 acre wilderness area. Explore Sheep Mountain Table in the Stronghold Unit, south of Scenic, SD.

Visitor Notice:

Visitor Center Closed for Rehabilitation The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is closed to the public until Winter 2006, as construction activities are underway. Until then, a temporary contact station with a bookstore and restrooms is available daily, and located just 100 meters behind the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Due to the small size of the contact station, the current park movie will be unavailable. A new film will be debuted in early 2006.