Big Badlands Overlook
Big Badlands Overlook
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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5.0
389 reviews
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sanju_222323
New Jersey16,818 contributions
Jul 2022
this is the best overlook in the park. From the overlook, you gaze out at an enormous section of zebra-striped hills. The view is jaw-dropping and this is a magical place at sunrise.
We planned to see the sunrise but our bad luck, it was a foggy morning and we did nothing but sit and watch the foggy sunrise. but what I found out is, from the Big Badlands Overlook, you can either watch the sunrise from the viewing platform (a short walk from the parking lot) or you can hike out into the hills. It’s worth the short walk since you can get closer to the striped rock formations and colorful pinnacles.
We planned to see the sunrise but our bad luck, it was a foggy morning and we did nothing but sit and watch the foggy sunrise. but what I found out is, from the Big Badlands Overlook, you can either watch the sunrise from the viewing platform (a short walk from the parking lot) or you can hike out into the hills. It’s worth the short walk since you can get closer to the striped rock formations and colorful pinnacles.
Written July 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leza H
London, UK666 contributions
Jun 2022
We were blown away by the scenery on the Badlands Loop, everyone should have the opportunity to see these awe inspiring rock formations. The shapes and patterns, the colour, the wild rolling jagged landscape of it is simply breathtaking. I took hundreds of photos.
Written June 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FDinger
Florida1,383 contributions
Jun 2022
Big Badlands Overlook was our first stop after entering the park from the northeast. What an awesome introduction to the Badlands! There is a parking lot, and a boardwalk trail leading out onto a peninsular ridge. The views in all directions are spectacular! The layers in the vast array of rock formations is so beautiful. I highly recommend a stop at this overlook.
Written July 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sanju_222323
New Jersey16,818 contributions
Jul 2022
Bigfoot Pass was a route used by Lakota leader Spotted Elk to evade the US Army. there is a history associated with this pass.
approximately 200 Hunkpapa Lakota fled to join Chief Spotted Elk, also known as Big Foot, and his band of Miniconjou Lakota at the Cheyenne Reservation. This group departed for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation on December 23, seeking refuge with Chief Red Cloud. Five days later, a detachment of the 7th Calvary met the traveling group and escorted them to Wounded Knee Creek. The next day (December 29, 1890), tensions rose and the 7th Calvary massacred an estimated 150-300 men, women, and children at Wounded Knee.
another great stop during the Badlands scenic drive. It is perfect for photos and it shows a different type of vegetation than the rest of the park.
approximately 200 Hunkpapa Lakota fled to join Chief Spotted Elk, also known as Big Foot, and his band of Miniconjou Lakota at the Cheyenne Reservation. This group departed for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation on December 23, seeking refuge with Chief Red Cloud. Five days later, a detachment of the 7th Calvary met the traveling group and escorted them to Wounded Knee Creek. The next day (December 29, 1890), tensions rose and the 7th Calvary massacred an estimated 150-300 men, women, and children at Wounded Knee.
another great stop during the Badlands scenic drive. It is perfect for photos and it shows a different type of vegetation than the rest of the park.
Written July 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nancym290
Weymouth283 contributions
Sept 2022
We started our trip through Badlands National Park at the Overlook. This was one of the better stops. You could walk out up to the edge (and we are seniors so, if we could do it, anyone can do it).
Then we proceeded through along the paved road. There are many stops along the road and each offers a different perspective.
We traveled along the prairie dog area near dusk and a number of the animals were out and scurrying about. We even saw some mountain sheep in this area.
Do not miss the yellow rocks -- very pretty.
This park is a must see.
Then we proceeded through along the paved road. There are many stops along the road and each offers a different perspective.
We traveled along the prairie dog area near dusk and a number of the animals were out and scurrying about. We even saw some mountain sheep in this area.
Do not miss the yellow rocks -- very pretty.
This park is a must see.
Written September 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tristan R
Idaho Falls, ID847 contributions
Sept 2021
One of the best places for views of the whole park. There are small trails that go out to points where you can have an unobstructed view, although the view right from the car in the parking lot is amazing. We arrived with many others in the area (tons of parking) and was still able to get awesome panoramic family photos.
Written September 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MemoryMaker5
Ohio1,307 contributions
May 2021
Very interesting and beautiful panaramic views. Like nothing our Midwest family had ever seen before. We stopped here after entering the park, then went on the hike, picnic at the visitor center, then finished driving the "loop" through the park. Beautiful!
Written July 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brown_Samantha
Kennewick, WA1,783 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
We left our hotel early to arrive here early for sunrise. It is very close the the east entrance, not far from the interstate. The colors were stunning, to see the sun light up the landscape. The overlook is great, but you can also step off the path to get to the edge on either side. For closer looks into the canyon.
In the early light, we saw a lot of bison down below roaming. It is a magical place to see the amazing landscape of Badlands National Park.
In the early light, we saw a lot of bison down below roaming. It is a magical place to see the amazing landscape of Badlands National Park.
Written September 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL22,266 contributions
Sept 2021
We were drawn to pull over by other cars that saw Big Horn Sheep rams. Earlier we had just seen 3 other rams near this pullover walking in the grasslands. As we ran out of our car to cross the prairie for a better picture, I also saw a rabbit. Anyways the badland formations are amazing at every overlook. This one was special because we also saw animals.
Written September 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN5,970 contributions
Aug 2020
I dragged myself out of bed to catch sunrise at the Big Badlands Overlook and it was well worth it. Faces east so very cool to watch the sun appear on the horizon. Make sure to do the Door Trail and/or Notch Trail both nearby shortly afterward.
Written September 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am coming from the south (Louisiana) and would like to know where would be best place to enter- thru Walls or eastern entrance in Interior
Written May 2, 2019
Either works okay but I prefer the eastern entrance. One can make a few stops then see the visitor center and continue to the west where there are many more stops. When done with the main, paved part of the park road, one can continue onto the dirt portion and visit more, including the prairie dog town, time and interest permitting, without the need to double back.
Written May 2, 2019
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