Destination West!
  • Home Page
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Idaho
  • Montana
  • Nevada
    • Las Vegas
  • New Mexico
  • Oregon
  • South Dakota
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wyoming
  • Route 66
  • About
  • Get In Touch
  • Landscape Gallery I
    • Landscape Gallery II
  • Macro Gallery
  • Street Gallery
  • Wildlife Gallery I
    • Wildlife Gallery II
    • Wildlife Gallery III
  • Archive Albums
DestinationWest.Org

A western tourism resource featuring majestic destinations and lesser known places!   

Badlands Loop Road Overlooks ~ Badlands National Park

8/14/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Scenic Overlooks ~ Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park covers a lot of ground in South Dakota and a good way to become familiar with this majestic landscape is to do an automobile tour. Highway 240 is also known as Badlands Loop Road and this touring route runs by most of the geological features that the north end of this park is famous for. There are roadside parking areas all along this road and some are equipped with picnic areas and facilities, so it is easy to take one's own sweet time when passing through. In fact, there is so much to experience along the Badlands Loop that at least a half day should be set aside for taking a grand tour.

Points of interest along the Badlands Loop include the Big Badlands Overlook, Panorama Point and the Yellow Mounds Overlook, which are all places where some extra time will surely be spent. There are several named geologic basin viewpoints that provide panoramic scenery and the Pinnacles Overlook provides views of a strange rock spire landscape that looks as if it belongs on another planet. There are hiking trails for all skill levels along this road and there will be plenty of opportunities to become amusingly lost on foot in this gigantic maze like landscape.

Wildlife actually abounds in the seemingly lifeless harsh Badlands environment and one of the most commonly encountered species are Bighorn Sheep. To be more precise, the Bighorn ewes often come out into the open to graze and they have a high tolerance concerning human beings, so they are rarely scared away. These powerful animals may seem docile, but it is best to keep a safe distance, because when bothered they can head butt an onlooker into next week. Taking pictures of Bison or Bighorn from a car is always a safe bet, while a 50 yard minimum viewing distance is suggested for herd animals while on foot.

Watching the Prairie Dog Towns along the Badlands Loop is another pastime that pleases viewers of all ages. Binoculars or a telephoto lens can shorten the viewing distances of both the wildlife and geological features, so be sure to pack some powerful glass for the venture. Packing a picnic basket is also highly recommended, because you will certainly find a unique spot of your own to spend some quality time. There is a lot of ground to cover in this park and plenty to discover, so be sure  to become familiar with the surroundings upon arrival by touring the Badlands Loop Road! 
​
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Leave no trace!

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020

    Donations help the Destinaton West project continue into the future! 
    Go Fund Me!

    This website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies.

    Opt Out of Cookies
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home Page
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Idaho
  • Montana
  • Nevada
    • Las Vegas
  • New Mexico
  • Oregon
  • South Dakota
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wyoming
  • Route 66
  • About
  • Get In Touch
  • Landscape Gallery I
    • Landscape Gallery II
  • Macro Gallery
  • Street Gallery
  • Wildlife Gallery I
    • Wildlife Gallery II
    • Wildlife Gallery III
  • Archive Albums