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Nature|National & State Parks

Badlands National Park Was Named The Most Beautiful Place In South Dakota And We Have To Agree

Conde Nast Traveler names Badlands National Park as the most beautiful place in South Dakota.

Published Nov 23, 2021

Written by 

Annie

When you sit and think of the most beautiful place in South Dakota, which comes to mind? Our lush and green farmland? Fall Park? Custer State Park? It's a tough call, right? While we have a hard time nailing down a definitive answer, Conde Nast Traveler thinks they have come up with the answer, which is SoDak's stunning Badlands National Park:

The results are in and according to CNT's The Most Beautiful Place in Every U.S. State, the Badlands is South Dakota's best and most beautiful attraction.

Colorful, layered hills under a dramatic sky, with green grass in the foreground and a rugged landscape in the background.
Flickr/Diana Robinson

"Picking just 50 places isn't easy, but we polled our Facebook followers, did some digging, and came up with this list of the must-see, must-visit spots in each state," shared Conde Nast, adding that "Of course, it only begins to scrape the surface of what this country has to offer—so consider it your starting point, and start exploring."

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Colorful, layered rock formations rise against a pastel sky, surrounded by grassy plains in a serene landscape.
Flickr/Shelby L. Bell

Featuring 242,756 acres, the Badlands are primarily comprised of colorful, larger-than-life pinnacles and buttes created 69-million-years ago by geologic forces of deposition and erosion.

Sunset over rugged Badlands terrain, with dramatic clouds and layered rock formations illuminated by warm light.
Flickr/Matthew Paulson

If you enjoy exploring on foot, you are going to love the Badlands' many trails, which vary in length from an easy .25 miles to a strenuous 10 miles.

A full moon rises over rugged, sandy hills with people exploring the landscape at dusk.
Flickr/Matthew Paulson

As if you needed another reason to visit, the Badlands are also home to beautiful drives, wildlife sightings galore, camping, and more.

Two young sheep playfully walk through a grassy field with mountains in the background.
Flickr/Matthew Paulson

In addition to the Badlands, Conde Nast also lists other All-American beauties like the Maroon Bells (Colorado), Pensacola Beach (Florida), and Crater Lake National Park (Oklahoma, pictured).

A stunning view of Crater Lake, featuring a deep blue lake and a small island surrounded by tall evergreen trees.
TripAdvisor/adventuresof_jade_

Badlands National Park is open year-round, with an entrance fee of $35 per private vehicle (which is valid for 7 days).

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A panoramic view of rugged, layered rock formations under a dramatic sky, with green vegetation in the valley below.
Flickr/Tim Lumley

To learn more about Badlands National Park, please visit the National Park Service's website.

A panoramic view of layered rock formations in a vast, grassy landscape under soft sunlight.
Flickr/Duncan Rawlinson - Duncan.co

To learn more about the beautiful Badlands, check out these 9 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Visiting South Dakota’s Badlands National Park.

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Nature|National & State Parks

The Breathtaking Small Town State Park in South Dakota That We Can’t Stop Thinking About

Sturgis is a small town in South Dakota famous for its motorcycle rally, but perhaps it should be famous for its natural wonders like this one.

Published Sep 19, 2024

Written by 

Tori Jane

Crazy-but-true fun fact: South Dakota is home to 63 state and National Park sites. Seriously! That might sound like quite a lot, but given how amazing our state truly is, perhaps it's not all that enormous a revelation. Nevertheless, several of these South Dakota state parks are out-of-the-way and exist only near small towns - like, for instance, Bear Butte State Park.

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The main draw to Bear Butte State Park is, of course, Bear Butte itself, a 4,436-foot-tall summit from which you can see four different states. In Lakota, the mountain's name is Mato Paha, or "Bear Mountain." It is truly an incredible sight to behold.

A serene landscape featuring a mountain reflected in a calm lake under a cloudy sky. Lush greenery surrounds the water.
Clint/Flickr

Hikers will be thrilled to learn that there are nine amazing miles of trails weaving all over the park, and exploring it on foot is easily one of the best ways to take it all in.

Bear Butte is gorgeous, but the surrounding landscape is utterly awe-inspiring, and together they form an entire work of art on one beautiful canvas. Bear Butte Lake is picturesque at worst, offering crystal-clear, cool water that often reflects the sky above, be it crystalline blue or overcast and grey.

A winding dirt path through lush green grass, leading towards a mountain under a blue sky with wispy clouds.
Traveling skier/TripAdvisor 

This place has enormous cultural significance to this day, and every so often you might find prayer bundles along the trails. Please do not disturb these - they are not litter!

Should you be the camping type, you're in luck (woohoo!) - there are two gorgeous campgrounds near the lake just waiting to be booked. Need more to do once you're checked in? Wander around nearby Sturgis for a little while. Sturgis is famous for its enormous annual motorcycle rally, but I promise the town is wonderful year-round as well.

While you're at it, check out all the fun things to do in Sturgis from our friends at Viator. If you find you can't get enough South Dakota at any given time, check out all the best places to visit in South Dakota next time you have a moment to be fully immersed in all things Mt. Rushmore State.

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Nature|National & State Parks

The Notch Trail Is A Hidden Adventure In South Dakota Worthy Of A Day Hike

Published Jul 8, 2024

Written by 

Tori Jane

Sometimes, all we want to do is get out and enjoy the world - and all the amazing things within it. Lucky for us, South Dakota just so happens to be a wonderland filled to the brim with awe-inspiring views, geological wonders, and more - all of which are worthy of a day trip (or longer). Hidden away in Badlands National Park is one of the best hikes in the entire state. Known as the Notch Trail, this awesome journey is idyllic and magical without being too lengthy. Of all the amazing hikes in South Dakota, this one is among the best!

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Badlands National Park is like something out of a dream - surreal, beautiful, and nearly alien.

A scenic landscape featuring rugged rock formations, green grass, and a dramatic sky filled with clouds.
Annmarie Croswell/AllTrails

With 17 incredible trails to choose from, it might be kinda tough to decide which one to play with, so let me help you choose: Do the Notch Trail. I promise it's an incredible adventure.

In the spring and summer, wildflowers abound.

A vibrant yellow flower field under a dramatic sky with dark clouds and rugged rock formations in the background.
John Condon/AllTrails

The trail is open year-round, though the warmer months are by far the best times to show up. Just bring plenty of water! You'll have to leave your pup at home, though, as unfortunately, no dogs are permitted here.

Along the way, you'll spot various wonderful geological features sure to fascinate and intrigue.

A scenic view of rugged rock formations and green grass, with a group of people walking along a path under a blue sky.
Barry Smith/AllTrails

First, you'll meander through a jaw-dropping canyon formed over millions of years of erosion via wind and water. Marvel at the history of this incredible planet on plain display at Badlands National Park - on this incredible loop trail especially.

Drop-offs are common, so watch your footing - don't fall!

A rugged landscape of eroded rock formations under a blue sky, showcasing dramatic cliffs and valleys.
Kristin Povinelli/AllTrails

Wear sturdy, good. hiking shoes and keep your eyes peeled - the views along this whole hike are truly incredible. There are some spots with decent shade, but not many, so plan accordingly, and arrive early in the day for the best results.

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If you've got a fear of heights, well, perhaps this one isn't for you.

A scenic view of rugged, eroded rock formations under a cloudy sky at sunset, with green vegetation in the valley.
Seth Durbin/AllTrails

But if you ARE up for heights, amazing views, and more... boy oh boy, is this hike for you. Folks can't get enough of this amazing adventure.

Of all the scenic hiking trails in South Dakota, this one is among the best of the best.

Sunset over rugged, eroded rock formations in a canyon, with soft clouds in the sky and greenery below.
Aaron Glaze/AllTrails

For more information about this incredible hiking trail in South Dakota, check out the official Notch Trail AllTrails listing. Thinking about cranking your hiking game up to 11? Check out all the cool perks that come with an AllTrails Plus subscription!

Do you know of any amazing hikes in South Dakota? Tell me about 'em in the comments!

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