Badlands National Park South Dakota

The rugged beauty of Badlands National Park, located in southwestern South Dakota, makes this park a must see when visiting the United States. Not only are the sharp buttes and gradient rocks stunning to look at, they’re also quite a treasure trove of fossils.

Today, Badlands is home to incredible wildlife, including bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets. Keep your eyes peeled for them as you traverse the striated buttes and follow one of the many hiking trails. For excellent views of the landscape, follow the 1-kilometer Door Trail or the ½-kilometer Window Trail — both of which are great for hikers of all skills. Badlands National Park also boasts opportunities to camp and stargaze.