Certainly one of the more distinctive and unique viewpoints in the entire park. The colors are remarkable, though not as aesthetically pleasing as a lot of the other viewpoints in the park. This viewpoint is located between some of the heavy hitters on the scenic road, and depending on where you park in the lot you might not even have to walk anywhere to get good pictures, so you should definitely make a quick stop here when visiting Badlands

Beautiful views, beautiful colors I think the rain enhanced the colors

Sunset at yellow mounds is something I experienced a decade ago, and have been thinking about it ever since. The reds and yellows are amplified at sundown, making this place magical. There are multiple places to stop along the road going into Yellow Mounds.

A bit more color here than other areas of the park.

This overlook showcases the yellow mounds. Nice spot for better photos with colorful mounds. Visited on 12 June, temperature was in higher 80s to low 90s. Parking space is limited at this point. Restroom : No

Lovely and stunning!!! Love the layer of colours. There’s no hiking at all. They are right there.

My personal favorite. The colors are so beautiful. You can easily walk up the mound to left of pullover. If you’re up for something slightly more challenging, there’s a path you can hike up and around the mounds and to the top of the two directly in front of the pullover. Great view and worth it. Moderate hike and short

Like most overlooks, excellent views. We got to see mountain goats just down the road from there. The small goat was the highlight. One of my favorite pictures of the day.

Beautiful colors. Contrasts to the yellow upper everywhere else in the park. Nice area to climb up steep paths if you are inclined.

As you approach the Yellow Mound Overlook (the next overlook on our list), you will drive through vibrantly colored yellow hills. There is a turnout here where you can safely park your car and get out to enjoy the view. The yellow color comes from fossil soils, called paleosols, that have weathered and changed color when exposed to the sun.

Beautiful views of an awesome place. A landscape unlike any other.

One of our favorite stops along the scenic drive through the Badlands! The picnic area right around the corner has had Buffalo hanging around quite a bit too

Very nice visitor center. The bathrooms were very clean. The staff is very approachable and knowledgeable. it seemed like all the videos and the theatre were broken for some reason though so we were unable to watch any of the educational videos. Not able to take pictures of the gift shop for some reason but some cool little gifts.

Beautiful badlands. It was perhaps one of the last beautiful sunny and warm days of 2023. I highly recommend anyone close to the Badlands to visit. It is unique and out of this world. The staff at the center were very helpful and took time to guide me even though there were a lot of visitors there that day.

We stopped by to get magnets and t-shirts. It was so tiny and so crowded 😳 I was shocked! But the staff was very nice & helpful. The kids each picked out what they wanted and left and I stayed alone to pay. The bathrooms are here too and most people were there to use restrooms and fill up water bottles it seemed like, which is completely fine, but the gift shop area is just so so small for that many people at one time.

This visitor center in the badlands was awesome. The fossil lab was open and they were working on one at the time. It was really informative and cool seeing up close how they clean and repair them. The rest of the visitor center was fairly normal for the national park visitor centers with the mini shop and explaining things about the park.

I enjoyed the Ben Reifel Visitor Center at Badlands National Park. The exhibits on display were pretty extensive. I also liked the fossil lab and the fossils and exhibits on display.

The Bad Lands National Park is under rated. Most people will encourage you to go to National Parks out west and you won't be disappointed. Yet the Bad Lands are Definitely worth a visit. Not that big of a park and I wouldn't recommend a 7 day vacation centered only on the Bad Lands yet if you are in the area I highly recommend a day at the Bad Lands. It is easy to extend your trip by taking in the South Dakota Black Hills area.

Just made it there before closing. Nice little interpretive displays. Only wish I would have planned more time to spend there. Lots of information about the formations in the park. I was lucky to see several bighorn sheep. Crowd of people viewing maintaining a safe distance.

A lot of good information. We loved the fossil pre lab. It was really cool. Showed fossils that were found in the badlands, some by visitors in the area. Also has souvenirs to purchase.

Nice and educational visitor center at the eastern entrance to the Badlands National Park. Very interesting exhibits and displays. The park is wonderful with plenty of extraordinary views. A must see park while in South Dakota.

Was a lot more interactive than I thought it would be. My son and I really enjoyed the trails and the parts you can climb on. You might be tempted to dismiss it since parts of it "look the same" but it really is different as you see more and more of it. Great overlooks and great place to see the prairie dogs. The scenic drive through the park was nice too. We stayed to see the sun set and came back after dark to see all the stars.

We visited the Ben Reifel visitor center in June, 2023. It was very busy when we were there. The gift shop was very busy. They had really good exhibits. Everyone was very helpful and knowledgeable. My few questions were easily answered to my satisfaction. The rest rooms were very clean. Everything about this visitor center was positive. If in the area, it's worth your time to stop and check it out.

The park is amazing! It's a jem of a national park. The visitor center is great and the staff is very helpful.

This is the visitors center for the Black Hills National Forest. It's about 5 miles into this very large wilderness area. As a result, it is very crowded. The park rangers do a good job of providing information to tourists.

Beautiful scenery. The visitor center was very busy, but well cared for with clean bathrooms, and a water fountain. Nice selection of items with a wide price range in the gift shop.

Date of visit: July 21, 2023 As you come around The Loop through the Badlands (traveling west to east), please note it is the SECOND building you see. The first building is a gift shop/restaurant which we did not realize when we pulled up and entered. Only after entering, shopping, and asking about National Parks Stamp Cancelation were we told the visitor scenter was next door. At the visitor center: There is plenty of parking. They have exhibits as well as a real fossil prep lab. There is also a water bottle refill station so bring your bottles in to stay hydrated. Spend your money here on souvenirs as the money helps the National Parks Service. The gift shop did not allow photos as they have some original works of art. As with any National Parks Visitor Center, check with the information about the National Parks Junior Ranger Program (which is available for kids of ALL ages, including adults!) "The National Park Junior Ranger Program is a national initiative focused on educating kids about national parks, wildlife conservation, and outdoor recreation. Kids can complete activities, earn badges and patches, and explore national parks as part of the program". And of course don't forget to get a cancelation stamp in you National Parks Passport. "How does the National Park Passport Book work? Since 1986, national park visitors have turned to Eastern National's bestselling guidebook, Passport To Your National Parks®, to collect ink stamps from each of their explorations. Take your Passport to any national park visitor center or park store and get your free ink stamp with the date and location of your visit." If you deem this review helpful, I would love a 👍

Unless you plan on driving the whole route along and through the badlands, the price for a car with 2 adults and 1 toddler was expensive ($30). We only did the stop along the way as soon as you enter the park. That being said the views are excellent and worth stopping for. If passing through here again worth the 20-30 minute detour.

It's as though I've stepped onto another world, an incredible destination to explore. Researching the locations beforehand adds a fascinating depth to the experience, connecting the stories to the sights. Despite our visit on a cloudy day, the rich layers of deposits still hinted at their vibrant hues. Seattle rightfully deems this land as "sacred," a sentiment that becomes evident during the journey.

The badlands is a great national park that takes about 3-4 hours to drive through. We did a side trip on our way home and were so happy we did. We saw the bighorn sheep, bison, and tons of prairie dogs. The prairie dogs are so fun to watch. The spires and buttes are amazing to see. It is worth the drive. Also, there are tons of places to walk out on boardwalks to view the badlands.

America the beautiful! This land has so many wonderful things to see and places to visit. Get out, go for a drive, explore this great country. New experiences abound. Memories last a lifetime.

Absolutely stunning! A must see! Pictures doesn't do this beautiful place justice! We did get to also see some Bison and bighorn sheep as well and lots of prairie dogs which was pretty awesome also.

Amazing experience! I greatly underestimated the size, and depth of this landscape. You can see bands of different colors through the rock on a giant scale. It's very beautiful, one should not miss this experience if given the opportunity.

Wow. I would have paid the $30 entrance fee (two people) just for this overlook. The sunset was something out of a sci-fi flick (attached picture could never do it justice). The view was extraordinary, especially with the snow. I'd love to visit again, during the summer months. Bundle up in the winter. I'd say it got near or below -40° with the wind chill in mid-November.

this is the best overlook in the park. From the overlook, you gaze out at an enormous section of zebra-striped hills. The view is jaw-dropping and this is a magical place at sunrise. We planned to see the sunrise but our bad luck, it was a foggy morning and we did nothing but sit and watch the foggy sunrise. but what I found out is, from the Big Badlands Overlook, you can either watch the sunrise from the viewing platform (a short walk from the parking lot) or you can hike out into the hills. It’s worth the short walk since you can get closer to the striped rock formations and colorful pinnacles.

We had made the trip 30 years ago with our son, but wanted to stop again and retrace our steps. The new overlook was very picturesque and easy to walk out there. The badlands are very interesting and should be a must stop when visiting South Dakota!! If you are a hiker there are numerous spots where you can climb on the rock formations and go up to the tops of them, They have a gift shop, and restaurant in the middle of the park, as well as buffalo roaming free as you drive around. We purchased a National Parks Lifetime Pass when we entered the park, for $80 one time fee, then we can go to any National Park without having to pay the next time.

So many overlooks, If you are short on time, There is an Overlook with a wooden path for a wheelchair, stroller as soon As you enter to the left. It is amazing being here. If you go deeper in, you are able to walk through the Badlands and just hike it through. It was truly amazing! They have different passes, but if you are here just for a week or so your best one would be $30 per car worth for up to 7 days.

If arriving from the east, this is a nice start to the park. There's boarded walkways as well as plenty of opportunities to go off the trail and fall to your death if you're not paying attention. Pets are not permitted on any trail, even if on a leash. There's also plenty of parking.

If you enter from this side of the park this is what welcomes you. The view is amazing. There are paths out to an overlook but we saw many walking off the paths to get photos closer to the edges. (Do this at your own risk!) Plenty of parking and lots of room to take pictures at every angle.

I can't give this place enough praises. I was there from sunrise to sunset and went back two more times while I was still in the area. We were truly sad to leave it. I'm not even sure there's a word to describe The Badlands. Everyone should at least drive through it once in their life.

Amazing drive, take about 2 hours if you stop regularly, you can have experience with wild life, access to bathroom 🚻 at most overlooks,if you are looking for an amazing experience with nature definitely this is a place to i recommend to visit

This is a must stop location the prairie dogs are amazingly cute!! They are all over the place! you will definitely see prarie dogs!

Awesome experience to watch wild prairie dogs in their communal setting.

It was a blast hanging out with the prairie dogs. Several of them were very friendly....just short of being able to pet them.

Best gosh darn town in all of South Dakota! Tons of prarie dogs & bison!

Fields covered with little prairie dogs scurrying here and there. A few hundred feet down the road were Bison. We also saw pronghorn antel. You really have to do this leg of the loop to view the wildlife!!

Very fun place to see prairie dogs up close. They seem to be very accustomed to humans, so they let us come relatively close to take photos. Be careful not to get too close or touch them though- they are still wildlife and should not be fed!!

Amazing. So cute. $1 bag of nuts to feed them. Nice spot to stretch our legs

The prairie dogs are the cutest little things ever! So glad that we stopped here! The views are incredible, and the prairie dogs peek out of their mounds and run all over. Very fun place!

Kinda funny that they call this particular spot a prairie dog town. the entire area north of the road once in the park is like one big prairie dog town. it was super windy the day we were there so we didnt spend that much time outside. it was fun to watch the animals run around between the holes in the ground.

Very cute. This spot has a lot of holes so it easy to see prairie dogs everywhere. Don't be shy to get out and walk a little. The more east you drive the less likely you will see them. Also there a good chance to see buffalo from this area and west.

This place is halfway on the road to sage Creek campground. The prairie dogs seem not to pay pay too much attention to humans and you can take nice photos. The impressive things is that you can see their burrows all over the plateau.

The Prairie Dogs are too cute for words. You can also see Bison on this road. BUT the road is is not very well maintained.

The Badlands have, by far, been my favorite and most rewarding trip in to nature. Run on the hills if you trust your balance, it's worth the views. You can stop and walk anywhere. I did. I felt like a kid, running all over that place, up and down the hills. A super fun place that is very family-friendly.

I really enjoyed the Pinnacles Overlook of Badlands National Park. All of the stops that I made on the auto tour were very good and scenic. However, Pinnacles is probably the best.

I have wanted to visit the Badlands since a child and finally made it here. All I can say is wow, what a beautiful park. Not sure if it was just the day I went but the park was empty and I practically had it all to myself. Buffalo, Bighorn Sheep & Antelope just wandering around me, what an experience and definitely want to go back to do the backcountry hike/camp overnight

Really lucky to see two Bighorn Sheep just by the stairs, a female and a lamb. Also fantastic scenery of course!

This is one of the most visited overlooks in the park and absolutely worth the visit, at least one time during the day. it changes dramatically depending on the time of the day it is. There are several overlooks here as well as the chance to walk a short trail out to another viewpoint. The eroded cliffs seem whiter, and there’s a lot more plant life here as well. Those trees are Junipers, which provide an important refuge for the park’s bird population.

Short walk with a few steps for the best views. If you are unable to do stairs, the view from the parkinglot is pretty decent as well.

If you're traveling along I-90 and have any extra time at all, this is close to the highway and well worth the visit. Easy driving with multiple stops at various viewpoints. We saw buffalo and a beautiful sunset, too. The easiest way to see the Badlands up close. A geological wonder.

This place was so amazing! The hills and everything were formed so lovely by nature, and the color is very distinctive. I love the view, and it’s also an excellent place to watch the sunset 🌅 You can also spot bisons and goats along the way

One of our favorite National Parks. The loop currently has road construction and there are delays so you’d need to plan for that. But the roads are looking nice so it’ll be worth it. Try to make as many of the overlooks as you can when driving the loop. Every view offers a different scene and they’re all unique and beautiful. Love coming here!

Super pretty, especially near sunset. Keep an eye out for wildlife. You can buy a pass online through the NPS website. They have a qr code for you to scan at the gate.

What a sight! Such majestic views. It started raining hail for a few minutes but I feel it's normal around here lol. There are 4 bathrooms, so a good potty stop but lots of people so expect a line.

Mother nature is allowing us to sweep through. The park and town of Wall are Completely dead. This is the week before Christmas day 12/25. Interested in prairie dogs they are everywhere. Look for the ox too!

Great spot to view the Badlands National Park. Simply breathtaking! Stay on the trails and be safe. Saw one person walk right out basically the last rock on a ledge. Park officials are helpful and friendly. My nephew is active service so he can get into any national park free. There is a nominal fee for other cars to enter but well worth it

Worth visiting this place. We went there at sunset time, guess what we watched the best ever sun setting between the hills. Very peaceful place and an amazing golden hour we have ever watched. No words can describe this place’s beauty. Your eyes will be filled with happiness watching those landscapes❤️❤️❤️❤️

By far the best place for sunset viewing in the park. Right across the street is the highest point with 360 degree views!

Breathtaking scenery! The vastness is humbling. Watch out for animals near the roads and paths!

Gorgeous place to visit. We are rv fulltimers and fossil hunters so Badlands is our positive place to be where we feel like visiting Earth 34 000 000 years ago. We enjoy badlands each time we go out. Safe travels.