Top 8 Things to Do in Badlands National Park! (Vanlife/SUV Camping Adventures)

In this video I visit South Dakota's Badlands National Park for the first time and see the park's greatest sights!
The article I refer to and based this trip off of: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/8-thing...
DATE FILMED: September 2020
► Adventure Know-How: adventureknowhow.com/
► The SUV RVing Website: suvrving.com/
► My online store (SUV camping/vandwelling/overlanding accessories & SUV RVing merch): KamchatkaGear.com
GPS COORDINATES, etc.
1. Door Trail: 43.763583, -101.926660
2. Notch Trail: 43.760074, -101.928196
3a. Cliff Shelf (Couldn't do it because of road construction): 43.750420, -101.931040
3b. Window Trail: 43.760221, -101.927965
4. Saddle Pass Trail: 43.758087, -101.974391
5. Panorama Point: 43.795517, -102.060725
6. Yellow Mounds Overlook: 43.843519, -102.194518
7. Pinnacles Overlook: 43.869206, -102.234685
8. Roberts Prairie Dog Town: 43.905210, -102.306998
Bonus: White River Valley Overlook: 43.789030, -102.033081
OTHER LINKS
** Gear I use: suvrving.com/gear
** SUV RVing the Book: amzn.to/2SUrtme (Affiliate link)
** The blog: suvrving.com
** The company I use for my web hosting: www.a2hosting.com?aid=5dd04ea50f139 (Affiliate link)
** Instagram: / suvrving
** My other KZread channel: / tenkaraaddict
#badlands #badlandsnationalpark #southdakota

Пікірлер: 233

  • @mkkrafts9261
    @mkkrafts92613 жыл бұрын

    I love hiking with you! Thank you for not putting music in your videos because I love the sounds of wind and birds just as if I were really there.

  • @sansocie

    @sansocie

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes ! No music.

  • @TheDenisedrake
    @TheDenisedrake3 жыл бұрын

    I like how you do longer more difficult hikes, but also will not ignore the short "touristy" hikes. People complain about crowds at touristy places, but those have fantastic views and are usually worth a look. Thank you!

  • @richardmcfadden1587
    @richardmcfadden15873 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much. I am disabled so I now do my hiking by riding on your shoulders.

  • @Jax4umalta
    @Jax4umalta3 жыл бұрын

    Omg that little prairie dog falling over at the end was sooo cute!

  • @richard_n
    @richard_n3 жыл бұрын

    Badlands is hands down my favorite park that I've been too. The desolate beauty is something you rarely see elsewhere. When you do some of the hikes, you feel like you could be on a different planet. I've been there 4 times and loved every visit.

  • @SUVRVing

    @SUVRVing

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's a great place, for sure! Thanks for watching, Richard.

  • @sandy_sd10

    @sandy_sd10

    3 жыл бұрын

    I am spending a week in the Badlands, this summer. I have been there 3 times already. I live in South Dakota, now it's pretty nice.

  • @RuggedRunnerOverland
    @RuggedRunnerOverland3 жыл бұрын

    Nice to see you finally visited Badlands National Park, it's easily in my top 10 National Parks that I've visited, maybe even top 5. I'm surprised you didn't stop at the fossil exhibit trail though. The notch trail was one of my favorite hikes in the park, but for me what made my visit special was backpacking into the Badlands wilderness area for a couple of nights. It was such an unforgettable experience to be out on the rolling prairie with amazing views of the Badlands wall to the north and east with the Black Hills faintly visible to the west, dark starry skies with colorful sunrises and sunsets. If you get the chance to visit again, i definitely recommend spending a night out in the wilderness...I started my overnight backpacking trip from the Sage Creek campground, where there were bison and prairie dogs all around, was even lucky enough to spot some big horn sheep during my visit to the park.

  • @leedonehower3112
    @leedonehower31123 жыл бұрын

    What a difference 20 years makes! We were last in Badlands in 2000 and had one of the first digital cameras that held only 12 images on the card. Plenty of pull-over vistas, but no improved trails as you showed in your video. But it was great seeing it again with your excellent videography, especially the sound of the birds in the background and the soft roar of the prairie wind! I first visited Badlands in 1970 when it was just a National Monument.

  • @jacquelynhill1598
    @jacquelynhill15983 жыл бұрын

    Thank you from those of us who have handicap issues. Love the ability to see Mother Nature through your “vision”!

  • @SUVRVing

    @SUVRVing

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Jacquelyn!

  • @leahiamhopesulony4997

    @leahiamhopesulony4997

    3 жыл бұрын

    💞

  • @marysmith5647

    @marysmith5647

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SUVRVing .

  • @richardb.7054
    @richardb.70543 жыл бұрын

    I blew through the Badlands in 2017 coming from seeing the total solar eclipse in Nebraska, and on my way to Yellowstone. Something that stood out for me was that the Yellow Mounds area pops with a rainbow of color during the golden hour at sunset. If I had it to do over, I'd easily spend an entire day there. Hope to visit again in the future.

  • @larrydraper4451
    @larrydraper44513 жыл бұрын

    Enjoyable video. I was there in June 2019 for the first time and really enjoyed the landscape. Tip for the Cliff Shelf Nature Trail that was closed to you. At the start of the trail there is a path to the left and a path straight ahead. Most people take the straight path. I like the left path as it goes thru the trees first and is shaded. There are many stairs on the straight path that you have to climb but if you take the left trail you will go down those stairs on the return trip. Down is much easier than up for us old geezers.

  • @MSSchub
    @MSSchub3 жыл бұрын

    I visited the Badlands Park for the first time this year. The park is so vast and beautiful. Amazing sunrise and sunsets.

  • @farmermark2067
    @farmermark20673 жыл бұрын

    Love your channel, and the badlands for sure. Stopped there twice last August, going to and coming home from Yellowstone and the Tetons. Stayed at the NW end of the park several miles down Sage Creek Rd. at Sage Creek campground which is free on a first come, first serve basis. No water but good pit toilets and around 20 or so campsites set in a large oval shape with a prairie dog town in the middle and excellent stargazing at night. Very quiet campground after dark for sure. Woke up to prairie dogs right next to my picnic table, and there was a bison casually meandering through some of the sites. Very cool spot to camp in the badlands and the drive to it was fine on a fairly well maintained gravel road.

  • @theneverendinghighway
    @theneverendinghighway3 жыл бұрын

    When I went there, I did really enjoy Notch and Door trails. But, I think my favorite time in the park was actually the Saddle Pass Trail. At least at the top of it. I spent over an hour up there just kind of observing the views in all the directions. I really loved it.

  • @cia1204
    @cia12043 жыл бұрын

    Amazing remnants of the worldwide flood! Thanks for this wonderful video!

  • @flowrob6861
    @flowrob68613 жыл бұрын

    Nice to give a chance to see where my Ewheelchair won't go.

  • @marthadiaz3892
    @marthadiaz38927 ай бұрын

    I LOVE THE FACT THAT THIS WAS IN 2020 AND THIS IS A 20:20 MINUTES LONG VID

  • @joelechner466
    @joelechner4663 жыл бұрын

    Dude, I was anticipating this video! My family visited Badlands two summers ago and it was one of those places that was surprisingly more beautiful and fun than I think any of us anticipated. We went in June and so all of that golden-tan grass was bright green, which made for an amazing contrast with the rock landscape. It was cool seeing you do all of the same stuff I remember doing as well!

  • @leahiamhopesulony4997
    @leahiamhopesulony49973 жыл бұрын

    I needed this 20 years ago. You're making me want to go back to see everything I missed. As always, thanks for all the great videos!

  • @SUVRVing

    @SUVRVing

    3 жыл бұрын

    Happy to help! 😁

  • @MausMasher54

    @MausMasher54

    3 жыл бұрын

  • @TheJBirch
    @TheJBirch3 жыл бұрын

    Great video, Tristan! Have been through the park a few times, but I can remember one great trip where I got to sit it the door of my tent at night and watch lightning in the distance. Unforgettable.

  • @farrendavis4143
    @farrendavis41433 жыл бұрын

    Great video! we actually drove right by this National Park on our way to Mt Rushmore and Big Springs. the kids called this vacation to a family reunion in Northwestern Nebraska the "never ending journey" so we missed alot of sight seeing that i would have like to have done. we should have at least stopped at some of the overlooks. thanks again for the videos!

  • @NilDreams
    @NilDreams3 жыл бұрын

    Those prairie dogs so darn cute!! My favorite part!

  • @kathryncurtis9320
    @kathryncurtis93203 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for all your technical info. It's very helpful for my Lupus damaged joints. This way I can plan properly and not guess and wear myself out likely ending in a hospital vacation.

  • @penniebucilla8323
    @penniebucilla83233 жыл бұрын

    I've driven by Badlands Park a few times and now I know I need to go back and actually spend some time there. Thank you!

  • @mark222b
    @mark222b3 жыл бұрын

    So nice to see the park with less crowds. When I was there in early summer, there was a line to climb that ladder, going up and down.

  • @helenvwalker7919
    @helenvwalker79193 жыл бұрын

    Just wow! Such rewarding views for such little effort in a tiny area. We loved this area when we visited.

  • @beach3girl459
    @beach3girl4593 жыл бұрын

    Agreed that the first two trails are best. Wonder how many French-Canadian fur trappers got lost long ago in that moon-like landscape before anything was marked! Awesome video, as usual.

  • @lizsteilkie
    @lizsteilkie3 жыл бұрын

    I loved the wind sound....thanks.

  • @lawsonone6015
    @lawsonone60153 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for having me along. I always wondered about Badlands but never visited. I agree about the Doors and the Knoch being good favorites seeing them through your eyes.

  • @Deanna52ish
    @Deanna52ish3 жыл бұрын

    I used Dirt in My Shoes itinerary for my entire Utah National Park trip back in 2017. It was very helpful. Great info. regarding the points you preferred. I've never been here so I can't wait to see it. Thank you Tristan.

  • @manie9689
    @manie96892 жыл бұрын

    I loved visiting for the first time this September. Looking forward to going back. Thank you for sharing your videos.

  • @Singoffjunkie
    @Singoffjunkie3 жыл бұрын

    Great video. Thanks for the helpful tips. My husband and I plan on going here in May, 2021. Loved the cuteness of the prairie dogs you captured on video.

  • @marilynthomson9564
    @marilynthomson95643 жыл бұрын

    Thank you again for another great video!!

  • @Sophie-ei6zh
    @Sophie-ei6zh3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you came to the Midwest! I visited the Badlands in 2016 and the Notch trail was my favorite. I also liked the Yellow mounds, the colors are more vibrant at sunset against a blue sky, great for photography. Thank you for your videos! Keep them coming.

  • @olgaguer6443
    @olgaguer64433 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Going there soon!

  • @lauraredden1865
    @lauraredden18653 жыл бұрын

    Love the Badlands. We were there six years ago.

  • @SUVRVing

    @SUVRVing

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's a great place! Thanks for watching, Laura.

  • @phyllisbonner8900
    @phyllisbonner89002 жыл бұрын

    Always wanted to go to the badlands. Now went with you.

  • @Kim-ki4ls
    @Kim-ki4ls3 жыл бұрын

    We are heading out tomorrow! Thanks for the amazing video and great information.

  • @BeerinBeautifulPlaces
    @BeerinBeautifulPlaces2 жыл бұрын

    So helpful for trip planning! Thank you!

  • @gringo3009
    @gringo30093 жыл бұрын

    Very beautiful country. Thanks for sharing and doing the work!

  • @jamesrichardson1326
    @jamesrichardson13263 жыл бұрын

    That place never ceases to amaze me. Close by just outside the park is a preserved homestead with sod house. Very interesting. Of course Wall drug is just tourist trap, but fun.

  • @SUVRVing

    @SUVRVing

    3 жыл бұрын

    I saw a sod house in Nebraska but didn't see the one you're referring to here. And a tourist trap but fun is an accurate way to describe Wall Drug!

  • @mayawalksdogs
    @mayawalksdogs3 жыл бұрын

    out of this world! thank you for sharing as always

  • @SkepticalRaptor
    @SkepticalRaptor3 жыл бұрын

    I am really appreciating your trips outside of the far west. Badlands will be on my list, but probably next spring. Thanks for the video, and my favorites were all of the hikes. They looked amazing.

  • @rickjobs638
    @rickjobs6383 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, I like to see what my mom can do with easy overlooks. Thanks for the video.

  • @Chicago_Bikepacker
    @Chicago_Bikepacker3 жыл бұрын

    Sage Creek Loop. It’s a multi day 22 mile hike through the Badlands. Bring lots of water as there are no water sources available.

  • @sherilgreen7495
    @sherilgreen74953 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for taking me along on your trips. Have actually visited this park several times but you are showing me parts of it I haven’t seen. As an 85 year old widow who no longer drives I will never have the opportunity to visit the many places you have taken me to in person. Did visit those two overlooks on my last trip. Think I stopped at all of the pulloffs to take pictures.

  • @RescueDogTreats
    @RescueDogTreats3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for a great virtual trip!

  • @bicyclingaround8405
    @bicyclingaround84053 жыл бұрын

    I was there in Jan 2020, and there was snow, which looked spectacular, but all the trails and even some spots on the road were icy. The visitor center was really nice, and the ranger there super helpful.

  • @ytubechannel997
    @ytubechannel9973 жыл бұрын

    Really enjoyed this. Favorite parts were the hikes. Thanks for sharing it. Learned so much.

  • @Muhreea
    @Muhreea2 жыл бұрын

    Super helpful! I’m visiting South Dakota tomorrow and hopefully I get to visit the badlands.

  • @cotydenise
    @cotydenise3 жыл бұрын

    That was incredible! Thank you! Can't wait to go next summer.

  • @SUVRVing

    @SUVRVing

    3 жыл бұрын

    Just bring lots of water! Thanks for watching.

  • @ilovewingsandpizza
    @ilovewingsandpizza2 жыл бұрын

    I appreciate you making this video as a solo traveler I’m actually going to follow it today!

  • @CaseyWinningham
    @CaseyWinningham3 жыл бұрын

    I’m glad you did the Badlands. I lived near here. It use to have such clear sharp horizons. I guess the fires have made an impact.

  • @sonny1172
    @sonny11722 жыл бұрын

    I love using Dirt In My Shoes to plan my National Park trips! Glad you found her website.

  • @janewardguaraldi7975
    @janewardguaraldi7975 Жыл бұрын

    We finally made it here. Thank you for the tips.

  • @lj-eden
    @lj-eden3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for coming closer to the midwest. Living in a mw city, it's nice to know there are some really amazing places just some hours away !

  • @SUVRVing

    @SUVRVing

    3 жыл бұрын

    This is definitely a place you should visit! Thanks for watching 👍

  • @teresaschneider6726
    @teresaschneider6726 Жыл бұрын

    I went to Badlands 2019 , I love it ,I can't wait to go back. It was beautiful, very fresh air . Thank you for the video ,I really appreciate it❤👏🏼🌞🇺🇸🙂⛰🌄

  • @birdman5223
    @birdman52232 жыл бұрын

    Superb content MrT.

  • @butchpemberton6143
    @butchpemberton6143Ай бұрын

    Great video, I can not get enough of your GREAT presentations...

  • @jbruce6815
    @jbruce68154 ай бұрын

    Thanks for doing this! Helps me plan a group trip 🙌🏾

  • @odelloutdoors3424
    @odelloutdoors3424 Жыл бұрын

    Great video to watch. Loved your camera setups to view your hiking.

  • @masonsmith428
    @masonsmith428 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video , headed there very soon

  • @svrider687
    @svrider6873 жыл бұрын

    My favorite time in the park is sundown into night. You have the whole park to yourself after sundown.

  • @SUVRVing

    @SUVRVing

    3 жыл бұрын

    I believe it. Thanks for watching!

  • @Tammy_Bashore
    @Tammy_Bashore Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this video! I’m heading to BNP tonight for an overnight camping trip. So excited!

  • @sansocie
    @sansocie2 жыл бұрын

    The Arch was wonderful !

  • @algardner5228
    @algardner52283 жыл бұрын

    Place is amazing

  • @jliebss_
    @jliebss_ Жыл бұрын

    This was really helpful in giving me an overview of the park!

  • @reggiebald2830
    @reggiebald28302 жыл бұрын

    Some of your videos are so worth repeating; this, with it's spectacular scenery, certainly qualifies! (even after only 5 months, I see)

  • @peterschmit6745
    @peterschmit67453 жыл бұрын

    I live in Wisconsin and went there twice this year. The first trip was in late June. It was very hot and I saw almost no wildlife. The second trip was in the third week of September and I encountered hundreds of bison and bighorn sheep. On the road the prairie dogs are on, I went further and drove through a herd of at least 100 bison that were on both sides of the road grazing. I got some great photos. You should have also checked out the dispersed camping at Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, known as The Radio Towers, the entrance is just outside the west Badlands Park entrance. If you drove from that entrance to Wall you might have noticed Rvs and campers on the ridge to the right or east. Awesome place to camp and you camp on a bluff with spectacular views.

  • @olgaguer6443

    @olgaguer6443

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @RoseGrace100
    @RoseGrace1002 жыл бұрын

    Very good. Thank you so much. Going there in July. Your video was excellent. Love all the details.

  • @paulinemiller4624
    @paulinemiller46243 жыл бұрын

    I visited Badlands in Spring of 2017. I also did the “Notch and Door” Trails. I thought they were great, unlike anything I’d ever seen before! I camped in the campground and on my drive out the last day, I saw 2 Buffalo up close and personal! That was thrilling! I will go back again.

  • @angelacraw2907
    @angelacraw29072 жыл бұрын

    Great trip. I especially loved the prairy dogs at the end of the film.

  • @joshshaffer2666
    @joshshaffer26663 жыл бұрын

    Great video, thanks!

  • @willienillie6337
    @willienillie63372 жыл бұрын

    Nice vid. thxs for the tour.

  • @Marc2016
    @Marc20162 жыл бұрын

    Great video. Very informative.

  • @kristakuly7479
    @kristakuly74792 жыл бұрын

    Super helpful, thanks!

  • @margreetanceaux3906
    @margreetanceaux39063 жыл бұрын

    Visited in 1978. There was a no-facilities campground in those days, for 12-20 RV’s. No facilities, but in the morning we got a visit from 3 buffaloes.

  • @BeammeupSpotty
    @BeammeupSpotty3 жыл бұрын

    Nice!!!!! Thanks!!!!!

  • @rangerdoc1029
    @rangerdoc1029Ай бұрын

    Planning a trip this Fall. You were my first go-to source. You always have THE best content!

  • @SUVRVing

    @SUVRVing

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @TeodoraTheFlowerLady
    @TeodoraTheFlowerLady3 жыл бұрын

    That was beautiful! Thank you for showing the prairie dogs too. :)

  • @randomstuffwithjoe
    @randomstuffwithjoe Жыл бұрын

    Great video. I'm heading out that way this summer with my wife. Looking forward to visiting the Badlands.

  • @cowboyscoffee
    @cowboyscoffee3 жыл бұрын

    Great job watched this Saturday evening Nov14 2020.

  • @carmenmadrigal4622
    @carmenmadrigal4622 Жыл бұрын

    Great video, thanks for sharing. I'm planning a trip next week. Greetings from Minneapolis MN.

  • @universe3654
    @universe365422 күн бұрын

    Very nice detailed video.

  • @PrettyGrittyCampers
    @PrettyGrittyCampers Жыл бұрын

    Great video! We were just in the Badlands, are avid hikers, and LOVED the door. Although very easy it captured all the rock formations beautifully!

  • @randylls5341
    @randylls53413 жыл бұрын

    As always an enjoyable trip. Like to see where you camp and what you eat. 🌮🍕😏

  • @sierrachoco5271
    @sierrachoco52712 жыл бұрын

    Loved the prairie dog show. Thanks, best wishes from upstate NY!!

  • @WanderingBlock
    @WanderingBlock3 жыл бұрын

    You got a great channel, love watching your videos. Keep it up! 😁

  • @SUVRVing

    @SUVRVing

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @lisagunheimadams5134
    @lisagunheimadams51343 жыл бұрын

    Loved those prairie dogs best!

  • @karenpackman225
    @karenpackman2253 жыл бұрын

    Been twice and planning to go back very soon. Love the prairie dog video. They are stinkin' cute. Very cool place.

  • @milwaukeemotor5995
    @milwaukeemotor59952 жыл бұрын

    great place to take photographs

  • @reggiebald2830
    @reggiebald28302 жыл бұрын

    Never been & don't expect to make the trip. Thank you!

  • @steveMN777
    @steveMN777 Жыл бұрын

    Been there. First two hikes were also my favorites. If your lucky, there’s a herd of big horn sheep in the park, which at times be grazing by the roads. They are beautiful to see!!

  • @sturek
    @sturek3 жыл бұрын

    I went through there on my motorcycle 12 years ago when I was riding cross country, didn't do any of the hikes but stopped at several vista points and really loved the views...chuckled at you pointing out all the rattlesnake signs, I didn't see any while I was there either but I asked one of the rangers about it and she said they're frequently seen near some of the parking areas.

  • @SUVRVing

    @SUVRVing

    3 жыл бұрын

    I believe they're there, but I didn't see any. Thanks for watching, Shawn 👍

  • @asadventures_moriicoddiwomple
    @asadventures_moriicoddiwomple3 жыл бұрын

    We'll need to go back there one day. It was extremely hot when we went before, so we didn't hike like we usually do.

  • @John-ve3gg
    @John-ve3gg3 жыл бұрын

    Great video. The kind of laughed at how many times you must have went up and down that ladder LOL. Thanks for taking us along again love your videos. I used to read a lot about the early Trapper's and I can't remember the book I read but the first record of those Badlands some guys traveling either from or to the rocky mountains got caught in there and had a heck of a time getting through on horses. Thank you for sharing your adventures!

  • @SUVRVing

    @SUVRVing

    3 жыл бұрын

    Lol I went up and down that ladder several times! Thanks for watching.

  • @MausMasher54
    @MausMasher543 жыл бұрын

    Going East on I-90, just past the Cheyenne River Rest Area, the next exit is another backdoor into the park and a rather scenic adventure, If I remember, you know you are in the park when you hit Prairie Dog Town...Tip: use a walking stick or 2 iron(has kept many a Cottonmouth and Copperhead's at proper distance), in case you meet an not so friendly critters.

  • @Frizzneck
    @Frizzneck2 жыл бұрын

    Spectacular - thank you. Reminds me of some Asian temples.

  • @landcruisingdoc4137
    @landcruisingdoc41373 жыл бұрын

    Hope you get to visit Roosevelt NP in ND too. Huge prairie bisons there. I was eye to eye with one sitting in my Landcruiser! Also, on your back to ID, recommend going through MT and the Beartooth HWY.

  • @SUVRVing

    @SUVRVing

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yep, that'll be in an upcoming video 👍 Thanks for watching!

  • @reneeh2050
    @reneeh20503 жыл бұрын

    Nice highlights of the park. Really enjoyed your vid. The Notch Trail is definitely one of my favorites. Our first visit we did similar to what you did - short hikes (it was super hot in July 2018) and viewpoints. We stayed in a dumpy motel right outside the park in Interior (place is gross - do not recommend but it was one night). We attended the astronomy festival in Badlands. It was super cool. The night sky is incredible. We came back for the festival the next year but couldn’t see much as it was a cloudy night. The next day we drove through the National Grasslands & stopped at the White River Visitor Center. Interesting history from the Native American point of view. I wanted to hike Sheep Mountain Table in the South Unit but ran out of time.

  • @dixxebell
    @dixxebell3 жыл бұрын

    It's really pretty there..I was there manny years ago. Love the Prairie Dogs. There is a Southern Entrance which is part of the Pine Ridge Reservation...and not far away the Wounded Knee site...I took a look at that it was interesting.

  • @SUVRVing

    @SUVRVing

    3 жыл бұрын

    The entire southern section of the park was closed when I visited due to covid. Thanks for watching!

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