Top Things To Do in Badlands National Park (Besides Hiking)

Badlands National Park is one of the more underrated spots in the national park system.

Strange and colorful rock formations rise from rolling prairies, bison roam freely through the grasslands, and scenic drives offer vast, unusual views. It feels a little like another planet.

Best of all, you can experience many of the park’s highlights without hiking.

Whether you’re here for a scenic drive, a picnic with a view, or an epic sunrise, Badlands is full of opportunities — no intense hikes required.

Below are the top things to do in Badlands National Park besides hiking.

Things To Do in Badlands National Park (Besides Hiking)

Sunrise At Big Badlands Overlook

This park is best enjoyed during the early and late hours of the day, when you can truly see the badlands’ colors come alive in the rising or setting sun. The landscape shifts through vibrant shades of orange and red as the sun climbs over the jagged formations at Big Badlands Overlook.

And since most people aren’t eager to set an alarm for 4:30 am, it’s unlikely you’ll share the view with many others.

Tip: Arrive about 30 minutes before sunrise. Bring coffee and a jacket — it’ll be chilly no matter the time of year.

Ben Reifel Visitor Center

This is the main visitor center inside the park and a great starting point for your visit. The exhibits do a great job of explaining the region’s fascinating geologic and fossil history, and park rangers are available to answer questions about weather, road conditions, and wildlife sightings.

There are also clean restrooms and water refill stations here — always a bonus in a remote park.

Fossil Preparation Lab

Tucked inside the Ben Reifel Visitor Center is a working paleontology lab allowing park visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the fossil prep process. You can watch scientists in action as they clean and study real fossils found in the park.

It’s surprisingly fascinating — especially if you’re traveling with kids or interested in what life looked like here millions of years ago — you can even ask the paleontologists questions.

The lab is only open during the summer season.

Drive the Badlands Loop Road

Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240) is the park’s main scenic drive—and truly one of the best ways to experience Badlands. The road winds through unusual hoodoo-like formations, rolling prairies, and easily accessible overlooks.

There are so many pull-offs that it can start to feel a bit repetitive, but the views are stunning, and I think it’s worth stopping at as many as you can.

Wildlife sightings along the road can be plentiful, so take it slow and keep your eyes peeled. Bighorn sheep often stick to shady cliffside areas and are easiest to spot with binoculars.

A few of my favorite overlooks along Badlands Loop are:

• Big Badlands Overlook
• Bigfoot Pass Overlook
• Panorama Point
• Conata Basin Overlook
• Yellow Mounds Overlook (there’s a short, steep hill here — it’s a great spot to stretch your legs and take in panoramic views)
• Pinnacles Overlook

Note: your park brochure will mark which overlooks have picnic areas, these make for great lunch stops.

Bike Badlands Loop

If you’re up for a unique adventure with incredible views, biking Badlands Loop Road is an excellent way to experience the park. The road winds through colorful rock formations and open prairie, with long stretches of rolling hills and plenty of scenic overlooks to rest and take it all in.

Cycling gives you the chance to slow down and really absorb the landscape — and you’ll likely see more wildlife than you would from a car.

A few things to know:

• There are no designated bike lanes, so cyclists share the road with cars.
• The full loop is about 30 miles, but you can easily shorten your ride with out-and-back routes or by starting at a midpoint.
• Spring and fall are ideal for biking — summer heat and lack of shade can make it challenging.
• Bring plenty of water, snacks, sun protection, and a repair kit — services are limited inside the park.

You can also rent bikes in nearby towns like Rapid City or join a tour such as this Badlands National Park Private Bike Tour.

Watch For Wildlife

One of the most exciting parts of visiting Badlands is how often you’ll spot wildlife — even without trying. Bison, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, prairie dogs, and deer all roam the park freely, and some of the best sightings happen right from the road.

Early mornings and evenings are prime wildlife-viewing hours, especially near the intersection of Badlands Loop Road and Sage Creek Rim Road, where bison often hang out.

Tip: Bring binoculars if you have them — they make a huge difference when spotting animals from a distance.

Keep an eye out for:

• Prairie dogs chirping and popping in and out of burrows.
• Bison grazing in open fields.
• Bighorn sheep along the cliffs (they’re often in shaded areas – binoculars really help!).
• Coyotes, foxes, and (if you’re lucky) burrowing owls.

Join A Ranger Program

From geology talks to fossil walks and night sky presentations, seasonal ranger-led programs are a great way to deepen your understanding of the park.

These programs are free with admission and typically run from late spring through early fall.

Topics vary, but common offerings include:

• Geology and fossil discovery walks
• Evening talks at the amphitheater
• Stargazing programs with telescopes

Tip: Check the current schedule at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center or online at Badlands Ranger Programs.

Sunset At Pinnacles Overlook

Sunset at Badlands National Park is incredible. The formations glow in golden light, wildlife are out in the open, and the sky often puts on a show.

There are plenty of spots to watch the sunset, but Pinnacles Overlook is a always favorite. It’s one of the most popular spots in the park at sunset, so don’t be surprised if there’s a small crowd — but even so, there’s usually plenty of room to spread out.

This is definitely worth adding to your itinerary — the Badlands are most striking in early and late light!

Tip: Arrive about 45 minutes before sunset to grab a good spot. Bring some snacks and a jacket — the temperature drops quickly once the sun dips.

Drive Sage Creek Rim Road

For a quieter, more remote part of the park, head out on Sage Creek Rim Road. This gravel road leads through wide-open prairie and offers a good chance of spotting bison and prairie dogs along the way.

While the scenery isn’t nearly as dramatic as Badlands Loop Road, it’s peaceful and much less crowded — a nice change of pace if you’re looking to escape the more trafficked areas.

Tip: Hay Butte Overlook is the best overlook around this route, but it won’t be crowd-free since it’s located right at the intersection of Badlands Loop Road.

Note: This road is not ideal in wet conditions and may be impassable after rain.

Visit Roberts Prairie Dog Town

If you’re already driving Sage Creek Rim Road, make a quick stop at Roberts Prairie Dog Town. The prairie dogs here are typically very active and easy to spot as they chirp and dart in and out of their burrows.

Reminder: Don’t feed them — or any wildlife in the park for that matter.

Walk Fossil Exhibit Trail

This quick stop might technically be called a “trail,” but it’s really just a .25-mile boardwalk packed with educational info. Along the way, you’ll learn about prehistoric creatures that once lived here, complete with fossil replicas and easy-to-understand displays.

It’s a fun and informative stop, allowing you to stretch your legs without an intense hike.

Go Stargazing

As a designated International Dark Sky Park, Badlands is one of the best places in the US for stargazing. On a clear night, you can see thousands of stars — and even the Milky Way — with the naked eye.

Popular spots for night sky viewing are Pinnacles Overlook and the amphitheater near Cedar Pass Campground (Badlands often hosts night sky ranger programs at the amphitheater).

Bring a blanket or lawn chair, dress warmly, and download a stargazing app for more information.

Go Camping

Camping is one of the best ways to fully experience the Badlands — especially if you want to easily catch sunrise or stargaze.

There are two campgrounds in the park:

• Cedar Pass Campground – Developed, with restrooms, and located near the visitor center. Reservations required, book at Recreation.gov.
• Sage Creek Campground – Primitive camping. First-come, first-served, spots are limited and fill quickly. Often frequented by bison!

Short Hikes

I know we said no hiking, but there are a few very short trails that feel more like a leisurely walk than a true hike — they’re worth considering if you want to get out and stretch your legs a bit.

• Door Trail – 0.25 miles on a boardwalk that opens up to dramatic views and off-trail wandering.
• Window Trail – Another quick 0.25-mile walk to a viewpoint framed like a natural window.
• Fossil Exhibit Trail – Already mentioned above, but worth repeating — great for all ages.

Things To Do Near Badlands National Park (No Hiking Required)

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

Located just minutes from the park, this Cold War-era site includes a visitor center, decommissioned missile silos, and guided tours that explore the tense history of nuclear deterrence during the 20th century.

Tip: Reserve tours in advance if visiting during peak season.

It’s a fascinating and unexpectedly powerful experience — especially if you’re into history or want to break up your trip with something completely different.

At the very least, it’s worth a walk around the visitor center, you’ll find tons of infographics here.

Wall Drug

A South Dakota legend, Wall Drug is part souvenir shop, part museum, part quirky Americana pit stop. Located just minutes from the Pinnacles Entrance, it’s the perfect place to grab ice cream, stretch your legs, and browse for unique souvenirs.

Expect cowboy boots, photo ops, and at least one animatronic dinosaur. Yes, it’s touristy — but in a fun way.

Drive Through the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands 

Extending just beyond the park boundaries, the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands stretch out in every direction — wide open, golden, and wild. This area offers a more subtle kind of beauty than the Badlands’ dramatic formations, but it’s peaceful and scenic, especially if you’re heading toward Scenic or Highway 44.

Keep your eyes open for pronghorn, hawks, and the occasional lone bison roaming the plains.

Prairie Homestead

Just outside the park’s northeast entrance, the Prairie Homestead offers a glimpse into pioneer life on the Great Plains. The preserved 1909 sod house and farm buildings give insight into how early settlers lived in such a harsh and rugged landscape.

It’s a short stop (30–45 minutes is plenty) and a nice contrast to the geologic focus of the rest of the park.

Scenic Ghost Town

Located near the town of Scenic, this semi-abandoned settlement is equal parts eerie and intriguing. Old wooden buildings, dusty roads, and faded signage hint at a once-bustling town.

Depending on the day, it might feel a bit unloved (it was littered with trash the day of my visit) — but I’ve heard others rave about it. If you’re nearby and curious, it’s a quick and interesting detour with a Wild West feel.

Whether you’re road tripping through South Dakota or planning a full day in the park, Badlands offers so much more than just hiking trails. From sunrise views to stargazing, fossil exhibits to prairie dog towns, it’s a park that invites you to slow down and take it all in.

I hope you’ve found this helpful in planning your visit and have the best time in Badlands National Park!

Any questions? Please leave a comment below or reach out on social media.

Looking for more information? Check out my additional Badlands guides below or head on over to Badlands NPS.

Additional Badlands National Park Guides:

• 1-Day Itinerary Badlands National Park
• 2-Day Itinerary Badlands National Park
• Top Hotels Near Badlands National Park

Additional Dakota Guides:

• 10-day Dakotas Road Trip Itinerary
• North Dakota Guides