Badlands National Park

Winter in Badlands National Park often creates snow covered wonderlands throughout the park.
The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today.
Map showing location of park.
Map of Badlands National Park with a green background showing area of the proposed prescribed fire outlined in red.
Prescribed fire planned this week at Badlands National Park
Planning is underway to burn 2500 acres of land near Sheep Mt. Table this week. Timing for the prescribed fire will depend on preparedness levels, fuel moisture, weather forecasts, and resource availability, however the anticipated date is 9/25/2025.
New Concessioner Chosen for Lodging, Campground, Food & Beverage, and Retail Services at Badlands National Park
The National Park Service (NPS) has selected Explor Badlands, LLC to operate lodging, campground, food and beverage, and retail services at Badlands National Park under a 10-year concession contract. Existing services will transition to the new concessioner on November 1, 2025.  
Layered badlands formations behind fields of green grass under cloudy and billowing clouds.
Photo by NPS Photo
The yellow mounds are peaking out of the formations in this photo.
Photo by NPS Photo
Badlands formations are very rugged and often have sharp peaks.
Photo by NPS Photo
Jagged badlands buttes extended in horizon amid yellow flowers under a blue sky.
Photo by NPS Photo
road leading between snow covered badlands formations
Photo by NPS Photo/Brad Barker