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Badlands National Park Tours and Tickets

🎧 Available audio guides (5)

Emotional Experience Guide (EN)

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Hidden Gems (EN)

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Local Insights (EN)

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Photo Opportunity (EN)

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Practical Information (EN)

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1. Badlands National Park, located in South Dakota, is a unique and stunning display of geological formations. The park covers an area of 244,000 acres and is characterized by rugged terrain, rock formations, canyons, and prairie lands. The erosion caused by wind and water over millions of years has shaped the landscape into its current dramatic form.

Some interesting facts about Badlands National Park include:

- The rocks exposed in the park are estimated to be around 69 million years old, belonging to the Late Cretaceous period.

- The park is home to the largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie in the United States.

- It is a paradise for fossil enthusiasts; the park has numerous fossilized remains of ancient mammals like sabre-toothed cats and rhinoceroses.

- Wildlife is abundant, with species like bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and coyote inhabiting the park.

- The park offers spectacular sunrises and sunsets, with the unique rock formations casting a beautiful glow during golden hour.

2. Badlands National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. However, the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, which provides information, exhibits, and a bookstore, has varying hours depending on the season. Generally, it is open from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, but it is advisable to check the official website or contact the park for the most up-to-date information.

Phone: +1 605-433-5361

3. The National Park Service charges an entrance fee to visit Badlands National Park. The fees as of 2021 are as follows:

- Private Vehicle: $30 for a 7-day pass

- Motorcycle: $25 for a 7-day pass

- Per Person (on foot, bicycle, or non-commercial group): $15 for a 7-day pass

- Annual Park Pass: $55 for unlimited access to Badlands National Park and other national parks and federal recreational lands for one year

As for transportation, Badlands National Park is located approximately 70 miles east of Rapid City, South Dakota. The main access to the park is via Interstate 90. The closest major airport is Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP), which is serviced by various airlines. From there, visitors can rent a car or utilize other transportation services to reach the park. It is advisable to have a personal vehicle, as the park covers a vast area and offers various scenic drives and viewpoints.

I-90, Quinn Township

Overview

Some interesting facts about Badlands National Park include:

- The rocks exposed in the park are estimated to be around 69 million years old, belonging to the Late Cretaceous period.

- The park is home to the largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie in the United States.

- It is a paradise for fossil enthusiasts; the park has numerous fossilized remains of ancient mammals like sabre-toothed cats and rhinoceroses.

- Wildlife is abundant, with species like bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and coyote inhabiting the park.

- The park offers spectacular sunrises and sunsets, with the unique rock formations casting a beautiful glow during golden hour.

Phone: +1 605-433-5361

3. The National Park Service charges an entrance fee to visit Badlands National Park. The fees as of 2021 are as follows:

- Private Vehicle: $30 for a 7-day pass

- Motorcycle: $25 for a 7-day pass

- Per Person (on foot, bicycle, or non-commercial group): $15 for a 7-day pass

- Annual Park Pass: $55 for unlimited access to Badlands National Park and other national parks and federal recreational lands for one year

More Info

You must pay an entrance fee to access the park, but you do not need reservations to go camping.
Ranger-led programs are only available in the summer.
The park offers covered picnic areas; to purchase food, stop by the Cedar Pass Lodge, which offers items like a buffalo burgers and line-caught fish.
The park has wheelchair-accessible visitor centers, campsites, and vista points.

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3000$

Badlands Premium Standard Van Tour - Public

Price From

1.00 USD

During a government shutdown, Badlands and Mount Rushmore remains open and accessible to the public, but all services provided by the National Park Service (NPS) are suspended. The extent of the impact can vary based on the specifics of the shutdown, but past incidents provide a clear precedent for what to expect. Concessionaire operations: Third-party vendors who operate facilities like restaurants and gift shops (e.g., Xanterra) may remain open and provide limited services, including restrooms. These are privately-run services and are not affected by the government shutdown. State funding: During previous shutdowns, the state of South Dakota and private donors stepped in to provide funding to keep the memorial open and restore some services. In a 2023 budget standoff, South Dakota officials secured a deal with the NPS to keep some areas open. _en-US

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Wildlife Biologist’s Field Expedition: The Badlands Uncovered

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7.00 USD

My XO Adventures believes The Badlands can be a wonderful experience for your senses, and there are a lot of stories to be told about the park. It's also abundant with wildlife, but you've got to know where to go. We have walked, crawled, climbed, and taken the back roads through the park to find places we know you'll love. This is not a strenuous journey and is suited for all ages. We encourage you to check out our Google Reviews for My XO Adventures online to see what kind of experience you'll enjoy by coming along with us. We take care of the details and may even have some surprises for you along the way. Every day is different, and we love what we do. We explore the Badlands, not just tour them. Learn about the history, wildlife, fossils, geological shapes, and sacred places. Commonly missed and extraordinary places are where we go. We do what we want, when we want, where we want!_en-US

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Private Tour of the Badlands with Local Experts

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4.00 USD

The Badlands have many secrets and requires a seasoned guide to explain and reveal them. GeoFunTrek Tours' guides are local experts with decades of experience. We have no seasonal-guides, part-time guides or trainee-guides. This is a family-owned business and all tours are conducted by family members: Cindy, Christopher and John Esposti. We have the knowledge and skills to make your day one to remember. You will always get the A-Team when you tour with GeoFunTrek Tours! All tours are PRIVATE TOURS, exclusive to the group booking the tour, and no additional guests will be included. Children must be accompanied by one adult. Children 3 years and younger are free and will have their own seat. Children's car seats must be supplied by family members when required. Our largest vehicle, a Sprinter van seats 9, and a larger vehicle may be rented or we can add a Honda Pilot for larger groups. This tour is great for 3-generation families with Children, multiple couples and groups of friends. _en-US

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Wind Cave and Wildlife: The Southern Black Hills

Price From

7.00 USD

This tour is really unique in that it offers guides who love their work, are paid a living wage, and receive regular training and tips as we all learn together. We share stories and findings, then share them between ourselves. We set out on a journey, not a tour. While our tours are a full day, they don't seem like it with all we have to show. Adults and kids will have a great time, learn in the process and take home meaningful memories!_en-US

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