The Lakota gave this land its name, “mako sica,” meaning “land bad.”   Located in southwestern South Dakota, Badlands National Park consists of 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest protected mixed grass prairie in the United States.   It is desolation at its truest, where you can look for miles and see no sign of civilization.

This land of sharp ridges, steep walled canyons, gullies, pyramids and knobs has been so ruthlessly ravaged by wind and water that it has become picturesque.   The skeletons of ancient camels, three-toed horses, saber-toothed cats and giant rhinoceros-like creatures are among the many fossilized species found in Badlands National Park.   Prehistoric bones are still being uncovered today by park officials.

Wildlife roams the park's boundaries as well.   Bison, pronghorn, mule and whitetail deer, prairie dogs, coyotes, butterflies, turtles, snakes, bluebirds, vultures, eagles and hawks are just some of the wildlife that can often be seen here.

Gram and Pops visited here in September 2008.


Click here for pictures of Gram and Pops' Trip


Badlands National Park