2019-12-20 05:43:27
BADLANDS LOOP Miles: 39 S.D. Highway 240 between Cactus Flat and Wall BEN REIFEL VISITOR CENTER Exit 131 Visit this center at Badlands National Park headquarters for exhibits and an overview of park amenities. Want to launch a hike from the center? Ask a ranger which trail is right for you. Each showcases a different aspect of the Badlands’ otherworldly landscape. RANGER PROGRAMS By day, the Badlands terrain presents a visual feast. By night, the stars command attention. Inquire into Night Sky Viewing programs led by Badlands National Park rangers May through September. For stargazers, the remoteness of this region is heaven. OVERLOOKS As you drive past ragged ridgelines, sawtooth spires and native grasslands, pull over at any (or all!) of the 16 designated overlooks. Tip: Daybreak and dusk are best for observing the signature color striations of this lunar-like landscape. SPEARFISH CANYON NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY Miles: 19 U.S. Highway 14A between Spearfish and Cheyenne Crossing SPEARFISH REC PATH The Spearfish Canyon trailhead is an easy entry point for accessing this 7.5-mile path along scenic Spearfish Creek. Follow it to points of interest, including area parks and the Spearfish City Campground. You’ll be accompanied by walkers, runners, cyclists and the occasional long-boarder. SPEARFISH FALLS TRAIL It takes slightly more than 10 minutes to reach this trail’s namesake, but you’ll want to linger. The trail transports you to the bottom of Spearfish Canyon, creating an awe-inspiring view of the falls. Listen for the rush of water as you approach. ’76 TRAIL Test your mettle on this challenging hike to the rim of Spearfish Canyon. The round-trip measures just 1.5 miles, but the steep uphill terrain is rated difficult. For experienced hikers, the panoramic view from the top is worth it. ROUGHLOCK FALLS Marked paths point you to the state’s most picturesque waterfall. Along the way, pause to enjoy a picnic, take photos and watch for wildlife—especially the rare American dipper, a bird that can walk and swim underwater! 5 WAYS TO PLAY PALEONTOLOGIST Long before humans explored South Dakota, dinosaurs roamed the land. Explore the evidence—and maybe make your own find—at these attractions throughout the Black Hills and Badlands: [1] Register for the Junior Paleontologist Program at Hot Springs’ Mammoth Site, where the largest-ever concentration of North American Columbian and woolly mammoths has been unearthed. [2] View mounted skeletons of dinosaurs, mammals, marine reptiles and fish at the free Museum of Geology at Rapid City’s South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. [3] Find a similar treasure trove at the Museum at Black Hills Institute in Hill City. [4] Watch professionals at work in Badlands National Park’s Paleontology Lab. [5] Join a hands-on dig site tour with Paleoadventures out of Belle Fourche.
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