Road Trip Post #18: Saddle Pass Trail, Badlands, SD

   OK, I admit it. When I was a kid I was kind of an idiot. My Dad would take me to the Badlands of South Dakota, an epic National treasure, and I wasn't that into it. The pictures in this mostly photo post were taken on 2 separate trips in the summer. The Badlands is a magical place - lots of wildlife, hiking, camping, great lookouts, and more.

   On our second trip we got a little wet from a giant storm - I would imagine flash floods are very possible here since the ground is super solid. Luckily we were fine as we got our camp on at the Cedar Pass Campground.

   The park's main visitors center is the Ben Reifel Visitor Center - it has a nice museum, restaurant, lodge, & gift store.

The Badlands is a car's park - a curvy road cuts through the awesome rock formations with several lookouts along the way. Driving the whole thing and stopping every now and then takes time - make sure to leave enough!

   We took a quick hike - Saddle Pass Trail - a great/steep-at-the-beginning hike taking you deeper into the park.

   I think the pictures speak for themselves - this place is amazing! But, as amazing as tomorrow's post from Wall Drug?
     ~Paul, Micah, Dad, Sis, Susan