How Big is the park?

Badlands National Park is 381 square miles or 244,000 acres.

What is the Highest Point in the park?

Highest point in the Park – Pinnacles 3247 feet or 1009 meters.

How Precipitation does the park get every year?

Average annual precipitation is 16 inches.

Are Dinosaurs found in the Badlands?

The spectacular formations found in Badlands National Park date from the late Cretaceous, Eocene and Oligocene epochs.   Although the park does not contain any dinosaur fossils, the rapidly eroding layers contain marine fossils and an incredibly rich diversity of extinct mammals from the Age of Mammals.   Ancestors of the modern day rhinoceros, horse, pig, and cat are found eroding out of various layers throughout the park.  Fossils from early birds, reptiles, and invertebrates are also found in the park.

How did the park get its Name?

The Badlands National Park is located within what is called the White River Badlands and was called Mako Sica (mako, land and Sica, bad) by the Sioux Indians.   The term badlands generally refers to an area that is difficult to travel through primarily because of the rugged terrain and lack of water.  The fascinating landscape within the park erodes at a rate of about 1 inch per year providing an ever changing landscape.

Can I Collect things in the Badlands?

All collecting of rocks, minerals, plants, fossils or cultural objects (like arrowheads) is illegal and punishable by a fine.

Are there any Paleontology Excavations in the park?

During the summer months, Badlands National Park has an ongoing fossil excavation site known as The Pig Dig where visitors are invited to watch paleontologists at work.  To date, over 14,000 bone specimens have been excavated from a location that is believed to have been a water hole 33 million years ago.  The fossilized remains of 18 species of animals and one plant have been recovered through careful excavation at the site.  During the summer when this site is open it has become a popular site for visitors.

How many Fossils have been discovered in the park to date?

It is hard to know how many fossils have been discovered to date. There is no way to get an estimate but an incredible amount of fossils have been found. There has been over 150 years or more of fossil collecting in and around the park. Long before the Badlands became a park, anyone with a shovel could conduct research in the park and at one time anyone could come to the area and dig.

What is the Park’s Significance?

Badlands was originally proclaimed a National Monument in 1939 and later became a National Park in 1978.  The reasons for the park’s special significance include:

1. spectacular vistas and scenery that inspired the first description of the "badlands" landform.

2. it contains rich fossil remains of early mammals

3. it was the birthplace of the science of vertebrate paleontology (the study of fossils)

4. it contains the finest remnant of mixed grass prairie in the U.S.

5. it contains places of spiritual and historical significance to the Lakota Sioux nation

What is the Legislated Purpose of the park?

a) Protect the unique landforms and scenery of the White River Badlands for the benefit, enjoyment and inspiration of the public.

b) Preserve for science and interpret for the public the massive vertebrate fossil beds and other geological resources.

c) Interpret the history and development of the science of paleontology that has taken place in the White River Badlands.

What are some the Important Resource Issues?

One of the important environmental issues facing the park is the historic introduction of non-native plants and determining the best way to control or eliminate them.  Non-native plants such as Canada Thistle, exotic grasses, and knapweed crowd out native plants, monopolize on limited water resources and can spread rapidly especially in years of ample rainfall.  Badlands National Park is actively working to reduce the spread of non-native plant species through the use of prescribed fire, mechanical thinning, chemicals and biological control.  The intent is to reduce or eliminate the non-native species while encouraging the native species.

Other areas of concern for the park include maintaining water quality and air quality throughout the park.  

In recent years, energy development west of the park has been a potential source of air degradation and pollutants for the area.

The park has reintroduced a number of native animals to the area like bison, bighorn sheep, black-footed ferrets, and swift fox.  Supporting and maintaining these populations has been an important element in maintaining the park’s native ecosystem.

Ongoing paleontology research (fossils) in the park helps to enhance our understanding of how the area and life has changed over time.  The scientific information gleaned from these fossils enhances our overall view of the world and provides new information which is relayed to visitors through interpretive exhibits, programs, and media.  The poaching of fossils from the park has been a significant concern for park managers and efforts have been made to reduce this activity

Does the park have a Junior Ranger Program?

The Junior Ranger booklets are available for $1.95 each and there's one for 5-8 and 9-12 year olds.  The booklets can be purchased through the Badlands Natural History Association bookstore located at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center:  605-433-5489   http://www.nps.gov/badl/exp/bnha.htm

How long does it take to Visit the park?