Which Badlands overloocks are the best?

Sukhoi

Elite Member
Dec 5, 1999
15,350
106
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I'll be taking route 240 from east to west through the park as a bit of relief from a long drive on I-90. Consequently I won't have much time at the park and certainly won't have time to stop at all the overlooks on that road. Which are the best? I'll be there mid-afternoon. Here's the list:

Big Badlands
White River Valley
Bigfoot Pass
Panorama Point
Prairie Wind
Burns Basin
Homestead
Conata Basin
Yellow Mounds
Ancient Hunters
Pinnacles

Also I am planning on doing the short dinosaur fossil trail unless I am far behind schedule.
 

NuclearNed

Raconteur
May 18, 2001
7,882
380
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I have been to Badlands a couple of times. It is a really nice park, but in my opinion there isn't much hiking to do. It is a nice drive through park, and most of the features can be seen from the road.

The only trail I have hiked there is the Notch trail. It is fairly short (maybe 4 miles roundtrip?), but very scenic. It is extremely hot and dry, so take plenty of water. Also, there is a section of the trail where you will walk on a narrow steep path that is on a high sheer cliff. If you have issues with heights, you will want to proceed with caution.

Other points of interest in the immediate area you might want to consider:
Wind Cave National Park - the cave tour is really nice, and the above ground area has lots of wildlife.
Custer State Park - tons and tons of wildlife, well worth the visit.

Like always, let me know if you have any specific questions.