Tag Archives: Badlands National Park

Destination, Nature, Photography, Travel, Wildlife

BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK – DILLON PASS | YELLOW MOUNDS OVERLOOK #EXPLORESD

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DILLON PASS | YELLOW MOUNDS OVERLOOK

This overlook is placed within the most colorful portion of Badlands geology. Yellow, purple, gray, and striped reddish beds display the sequence of Yellow Mounds, the Interior Paleosol, Chadron, and Brule formations respectively, from bottom to top. ~National Park Service

The yellow mounds were formed when the sea drained, leaving the black ocean mud exposed to air. These formations are some of the oldest in the park. Both sides of the road offer jaw-dropping views. Catch a sunset here to watch all the colors light up.  ~https://www.midwestliving.com/

This is one of my favorite overlooks in the park for all the reason mentioned above.  Our visit to Dillon Pass in September 2020 during the pandemic was extra special.  Shortly after we arrived  we discovered there was a coyote on the hunt.

The layers of sediment are fascinating and natural colors quite beautiful.

YELLOW MOUNDS OVERLOOK

Further along the loop just past the Conata Basic Overlook we were treated to an encounter with Bighorn sheep.

Beautiful views from Burns Basin Overlook.  I always enjoy this park; even though this was just a drive through-quick visit on our way home from Custer.

EXTRA

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Destination, Nature, Photography, Travel, Wildlife

Badlands National Park – The Wildlife #exploresd

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Badlands National Park – The Wildlife

Badlands National Park not only boast beautiful scenery, but also plentiful opportunities to view wildlife.  We met the Western Meadowlark, mule and white-tailed deer, bighorn sheep, and many prairie dogs.  The Prairie Dogs are quite entertaining to watch…our favorite wildlife in the park.  We didn’t spy any bobcat, coyote, pronghorn or bison.  We heard a lot of coyotes.  Here are a few shots of the wildlife we experienced.

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Destination, Photography, Travel

Badlands National Park – The Landscape #exploresd

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Badlands National Park – The Landscape

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The Weather

We could not have asked for more perfect weather for our two stay in the Badlands National Park.  We had bright blue skies with just the right amount of clouds.  The storm clouds were the icing on the cake.  The beauty of this land is in its vast and desolate nature.  This protected land is comprised of just under 250,000 acres of eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires among the expansive prairie the makes up most of Eastern South Dakota.

Spending two days in the park to [hopefully] capture at least one sunsets and one sunrise provide ample time to explore the entire park and then some.  We made several trips through the park along the main thoroughfare (240).  If you have time, I highly recommend traveling on Sage Creek Road (590) and Conata Road (509) between Yellow Mounds Overlook and 44.

Here are some shot from a two days traversing the park.

 

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Destination, Nature, Photography, Travel

Badlands National Park – The Landscape #exploresd

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Badlands National Park – The Landscape

Our second day started out early.  There isn’t anything quite like making coffee at the picnic table by flashlight at 4 a.m.  It is a titch more involved than hitting a button on a Keurig machine.  In case anyone is wondering…there isn’t a coffee shop anywhere close and open at that hour…not in Interior, SD.  With full mugs we set out and secured our sunrise spot at Door, Window, Notch Overlook in Badlands National Park.  The scene was shaping up nicely.  It is always preferable to see some clouds aloft.  It was a pleasant early morning sipping coffee while watching the light of the new intensify.  Here are a few shots of the sunrise unfolding over the rugged landscape of the badlands.

Sunrise @ Door, Window, Notch Overlook in Badlands National Park.

September 7th 2014.  Sunset @ Badlands Wilderness Overlook in Badlands National Park.

We had a full day of touring the park admiring the landscape and wildlife.  The grand views and fresh air were relaxing.  Time flies when you are on vacation.  It was sunset time before we knew it.  Badlands Wilderness Overlook was a great choice for sunset.  It is situated West of the Pinnacles entrance to the park South of Wall, SD along Sage Creek Road.  While shooting the sunset we heard a number of coyotes howling in the distance.  A sunset serenade – a first for both of us.  Here are some shot from our sunset shoot at Badlands Wilderness Overlook.

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Destination, Photography

Badlands National Park – The Landscape #exploresd

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Badlands National Park – The Landscape

Interior, SD is approximately 550 miles from our doorstep.  It wasn’t a bad drive at all and thankfully we had no major delays.  You have a few choices for camping in close proximity to Badland National Park.  Both Cedar Pass Campground and the White River KOA are very close.  If you like trees and perhaps some shade, the latter is your better choice.  White River KOA is only 8 miles south from Interior.  Post Labor Day meant no crowds; we were fine with that.  The campground had nice sites with shade and clean restroom/showers.  A perfect base for our two-day stay.

After setting up camp we headed into the park to find a suitable sunset location;  we decided on Pinnacles Overlook in Badlands National Park.  Here are a few photos from that evening.

Sunset @ Pinnacles Overlook in Badlands National Park.

 

 

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