Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park is in southwest South Dakota and sits on 242,756 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest protected mixed grass prairies.  It was authorized as Badlands National Monument in 1929 and was dedicated in 1939.  It was re designated a National Park in 1978.  It is co-run with the U.S. Parks Department and the Oglala Lakota Indian Tribe.  The wildlife that is seen throughout the park are Bison, Bighorn Sheep, Prairie Dogs and Black Footed Ferrets and others (we saw 'Beware of Rattle Snakes' on every trail we took - so comforting!)  The Badlands got its name from the Lakota people who were the first to call it 'mako sica' which means 'land bad'.  Extreme heat, lack of water and exposed rugged terrain led to this name.  In the early 1900s French-Canadian fut trappers called it "les mauvais terres  pour traverse' meaning bad lands to travel through.  
For 11,000 years Native Americans have used the Badlands as their hunting grounds,  Fresh water and game were available year round.  From the top of the badlands they could scan the area for enemies and wandering herds.  During the late 19th century homesteaders did try to make it home but very few were able to handle the elements of the land and weather.  As early as 1840 the Badlands have been a Paleontological interest. 
The Badlands are beautiful, mysterious, and full of wonder.  As we drove through the Badlands it was so amazing.  The beauty of the eroded rocks forming all the different shapes and as we passed a large mass of the them their backsides looked different.  We hiked a couple of trials and the closer we got to the stone structures the more they looked like mounds of gravel due to the erosion.  We had a great time at the Badlands.  At every view there was so much to be seen and the trails took us up close and personal with the rock formations.  I had always wanted to see the Badlands and being there made me think of all the western movies I have watched where there were shoot outs going around rock structures; I was almost waiting for one to break out.  The layers of erosion on the rock structures just add to the beauty.  The Grasslands were beautiful and the combination of the two made for some picturesque scenery.  A side story, as we arrived at the Badlands National Park we stopped to take a picture of the sign and met four couples who were riding their motorcylces around.  We talked a little bit then departed for more of the Badlands.  We might as well stayed together because we kept running in to each other every time we pulled over to look at an overview.  By the end of the day we were friends and we had a great time together. 
Needless to say, we really enjoyed our time in the Badlands and I can now check off one of the things on my Bucket List. I highly recommend Badlands National Park as a place to visit.  It has so much to offer especially if you like to hike.  If you don't you can enjoy the Badlands by observing them from the overlooks.  What a great day we had!