2019-01-16 16:13:38
BADLANDS AND BONES LOOP MILES 39 ROUTE S.D. Highway 240 between Cactus Flat and Wall BEN REIFEL VISITOR CENTER 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’ singular 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 star-gazers, 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 16 designated overlooks. Tip: Daybreak and dusk are best for observing the signature color striations of this lunar-like landscape. Play Paleantologist Long before humans explored South Dakota, dinosaurs roamed the land. Explore the evidence— and maybe make your own find—at attractions concentrated in the Black Hills and Badlands. In summer, reserve a spot on a Junior Paleontologist Excavation at Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, where the largest concentration of woolly and Columbian mammoths on the planet has been unearthed. Then, 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 and Technology. East of Rapid City, paleontologists are still discovering fossils today at Badlands National Park. Watch professionals at work in the onsite lab. SPEARFISH CANYON NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY MILES 19 ROUTE 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 just over a half-hour 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. The panoramic view from the top is worth 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! it for experienced hikers. 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!
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