White River Visitor Center
Print
Email
Save to Favorites
Trip Ideas
View This Map
--- Click to Enlarge ---
The White River Visitor Center (Hwy. 27, Pine Ridge, 605/455-2878, June 1–Sept. 15 daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m., closed in off-season) is located 20 miles south of the town of Scenic off of Bombing Range Road (Hwy. 27) on the Pine Ridge Reservation. It is a remote location that services people interested in Pine Ridge and in serious backcountry camping and hiking.
Exhibits at the center include fossils and Lakota artifacts, as well as some information about historical events in Lakota history. The South Unit, or Stronghold District, of the Badlands is not easily accessible, with just one road and no hiking trails.
The Palmer Creek Unit of the South Unit is surrounded by private property and hikers must get permission to cross private lands to get there. The center has a list of property owners and maps to help hikers plot their routes and gain permissions.
The Stronghold District was used as a bombing range during World War II, and there is unexploded ordnance in the area. Hikers are asked to report any finds to the Park Service. Do not touch.
© Laural A. Bidwell from Moon Mount Rushmore & the Black Hills, 1st Edition
Buy Moon Travel Guides
Search
Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.