Friday, Part 2 - Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park is located just a few miles south of Wall, South Dakota. I had only planned to stop through here. I wound up spending half the day here and wishing that I could have stayed longer.

When I entered the park, I purchased the "America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass," which will let me into most of the larger national parks for the next year. I figured that it would pay for itself by the time I get to Yosemite in a few weeks. Before I had gone a mile inside the park, I felt like I had already gotten my money's worth. (Page load warning - lots of pictures after the jump)

I stopped at each overlook and observation point between the Pinnacles and Northeast Entrances, which is roughly 30 miles of road through the northern section of the park. I took almost 200 pictures today, some of which I took through the window of my car because there was no safe place to pull over.

I am not a professional photographer. Even if I were, I don't think that I could capture the awesome natural beauty of the Badlands. Here's what I suggest:

1) Look at these pictures.
2) Turn off your computer.
3) Go to South Dakota for yourself and see what I'm talking about.

Also, check out the video of the prairie dogs at the end of this post. I assure you, much more fun in person.

This one was put in solely for my mother's benefit. Hi, Mom! I would have gotten a picture of the rattlesnake, but I had to put the camera down to pet him.




















And to prove I was actually here.