Badlands National Park Loop Road Driving Tour

$14.99

Estimated Time

Distance

Works Offline

Tours & Maps Included

Tour Highlights

Pinnacles Overlook

One of the park's most iconic viewpoints, featuring dramatic ridges, colorful formations, and spectacular sunset views.

Roberts Prairie Dog Town

Watch hundreds of prairie dogs living in one of the largest accessible colonies in the park.

Yellow Mounds Overlook

Marvel at brilliant yellow and gold hills formed from ancient fossilized soils over 34 million years old.

Bigfoot Pass

Learn the moving story of Chief Spotted Elk (Big Foot) and the Lakota people during one of the most significant chapters in Plains history.

White River Valley Overlook

See the river that continues carving the Badlands today and enjoy one of the park's most expansive views.

Ben Reifel Visitor Center

Explore exhibits covering fossils, geology, wildlife, and Lakota culture while watching paleontologists at work.

Notch Trail

One of the park's most famous hikes, featuring a wooden ladder climb and incredible views of the White River Valley.

Big Badlands Overlook

A classic Badlands panorama and one of the best sunrise photography locations in the park.

Prairie Homestead

Step inside one of the last surviving original sod houses and experience life on the Great Plains.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

Discover Cold War history at one of America's most fascinating missile facilities.

Is This Tour Right for You?

Perfect if you:

Love history and fascinating stories

What To explore at your own pace

prefer a private experience

What to avoid expensive group tours

Maybe not if you:

Don't have a phone

Like to follow the tour guide

Don't like stories

Don't like to go at your own pace

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best Badlands National Park tours?

The most popular way to experience the park is a self-guided driving tour along the 31-mile Badlands Loop Road, which connects the major overlooks, trails, wildlife viewing areas, and visitor centers.

How long does it take to drive through Badlands National Park?

You can drive the Loop Road in about an hour without stopping, but most visitors spend several hours exploring overlooks, trails, and wildlife areas.

What is Badlands National Park famous for?

The park is famous for its colorful rock formations, fossil beds, bison herds, prairie dog colonies, dramatic overlooks, and some of the richest fossil deposits in the world.

Are there bison in Badlands National Park?

Yes. More than 1,000 bison roam the park today after successful conservation efforts helped restore the species.

What is the Big Pig Dig?

The Big Pig Dig is one of North America's richest fossil discoveries, producing more than 19,000 fossils from a single ancient drought site.

When is the best time to visit Badlands National Park?

Spring and fall offer mild temperatures and excellent wildlife viewing. Summer is popular but can be extremely hot, while sunrise and sunset provide the most dramatic photography opportunities.