Best of the Badlands

Badlands Loop Road [1]: This is a 23-mile, 60-minute drive that winds through the Badlands Wall from the eastern edge of Badland’s National Park’s North Unit to the southeastern corner of the park. With plenty of turnouts and dramatic vistas, it is the perfect route for a day trip to the park.

Sage Creek Rim Road [2]: This 22-mile-long gravel road winds along the northern edge of the Badlands Wilderness Area and provides some of the best wildlife-viewing in the park. The park’s bison herd is in this area, as is the Roberts Prairie Dog Town.

Ben Reifel Visitor Center [3]: With an award-winning video, exhibits, lots of books, maps, and rangers on hand to answer questions, this is the place to find out about the activities happening in Badlands National Park during your visit.

Wall Drug [4]: It’s hard to believe that a sign advertising free water could have created the world that is Wall Drug. This 76,000-square-foot complex is the supreme roadside attraction.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site [5]: On a tour of this site’s launch facility and missile silo, you’ll learn the truth about Minuteman missiles and the “missileers” responsible for their deployment.

Red Cloud Heritage Center [6]: The Heritage Center includes a beautiful gallery of Native American art, museum, and gift shop. Plan to visit the cemetery, where Chief Red Cloud, one of the great leaders of the Oglala Lakota, is buried.