With temperatures slowly climbing and springtime in the air, flowers and foliage around the great Mount Rushmore State are beginning to bloom, meaning we can soon get out to enjoy all of their wondrous colors. Not sure where to start? Begin with the best National Park to visit in South Dakota with plentiful flowers: Badlands National Park.
Can you name the location of this picture just by looking?
Flickr/Jim Bauer Of course, you can; it’s Badlands National Park!
While you know all about its buttes and pinnacles, you may be surprised to learn that there is even more reason to love this one-of-a-kind park, which is its countless…
Flickr/Domenico Convertini
…amazing wildflower blooms.
Flickr/NPS Natural Resources
From April through September, you will find all kinds of blooming beauties, ranging from brightly colored wildflowers…
Flickr/Wilson Smith
…to the previously pictured sunflower…
Flickr/Scott Robinson
…to dozens of other native and non-native species.
Flickr/Matt Lavin
The National Park Service advises the best time to visit is during the months of May and June.
Flickr/Thomas
Badlands National Park is open year round (minus Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day) and costs a nominal per-vehicle fee to enter.
Flickr/NPS Natural Resources For the most up-to-date information about park hours, entry fees, and ongoing events, be sure to visit the official NPS website for Badlands National Park.
The truth is, South Dakota is such an amazing state to explore that there’s really no bad time to do it, but there is something truly magical about springtime – when everything is bursting back into life – that we can’t resist.
Flickr/Jim Bauer
Of course, you can; it’s Badlands National Park!
Flickr/Domenico Convertini
Flickr/NPS Natural Resources
Flickr/Wilson Smith
Flickr/Scott Robinson
Flickr/Matt Lavin
Flickr/Thomas
For the most up-to-date information about park hours, entry fees, and ongoing events, be sure to visit the official NPS website for Badlands National Park.
So, what’s your favorite National Park in South Dakota to visit during spring wildflower season? Learn even more about the Badlands by clicking The Place In South Dakota That Looks Like Something Out Of Star Wars.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
National Parks to Visit in South Dakota April 05, 2022 Tori Jane What are some fun hiking trails in South Dakota? With over 300 wonderful trails to choose from, South Dakota is a great place for hikers. We would argue that every hiking trail in South Dakota is the best hiking trail in South Dakota, but there are definitely some that tend to be more popular than others. Among the best hikes in South Dakota are the amazing Notch Trail, at Badlands National Park. It’s rated as moderate and extends for just one and a half miles, making it an excellent scenic short-and-sweet trek for nature fans. Prepare for awesome views on that one! Then, there’s the Black Elk Peak Loop, at Custer State Park, which is seven miles long and takes you to the highest point in all of South Dakota. Oh, and you can’t skip the world-famous Mount Rushmore and Presidential Trail Loop, which leads to the rock pile at the bottom of Mount Rushmore. What are the best parks in South Dakota for nature lovers? South Dakota is an outrageously beautiful place filled with wonder and awe; it seems like everywhere you turn, there’s something amazing in front of you, and our state and/or National Parks are definitely a huge part of that. There are six National Parks in South Dakota, and 63 state parks as well, so it’s safe to say you’ve got a lot of exploring to do! Some of our favorite state parks in South Dakota include gems like Custer State Park, which is home to awe-inspiring geological formations, historic sites, and even an epic scenic drive. In Madison, there’s the Lake Herman State Park, which offers amazing photogenic views of – you guessed it – Lake Herman, as well as excellent camping, fishing, and hunting opportunities. If you loved the geology of Custer State Park, be sure to also visit Palisades State Park, in Garretson. Split Rock Creek runs right through it, and the fascinating rock formations and surrounding geography are second to none. Obviously, there are many more – but these ones are seriously among the best.
The OIYS Visitor Center
National Parks to Visit in South Dakota
April 05, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some fun hiking trails in South Dakota? With over 300 wonderful trails to choose from, South Dakota is a great place for hikers. We would argue that every hiking trail in South Dakota is the best hiking trail in South Dakota, but there are definitely some that tend to be more popular than others. Among the best hikes in South Dakota are the amazing Notch Trail, at Badlands National Park. It’s rated as moderate and extends for just one and a half miles, making it an excellent scenic short-and-sweet trek for nature fans. Prepare for awesome views on that one! Then, there’s the Black Elk Peak Loop, at Custer State Park, which is seven miles long and takes you to the highest point in all of South Dakota. Oh, and you can’t skip the world-famous Mount Rushmore and Presidential Trail Loop, which leads to the rock pile at the bottom of Mount Rushmore. What are the best parks in South Dakota for nature lovers? South Dakota is an outrageously beautiful place filled with wonder and awe; it seems like everywhere you turn, there’s something amazing in front of you, and our state and/or National Parks are definitely a huge part of that. There are six National Parks in South Dakota, and 63 state parks as well, so it’s safe to say you’ve got a lot of exploring to do! Some of our favorite state parks in South Dakota include gems like Custer State Park, which is home to awe-inspiring geological formations, historic sites, and even an epic scenic drive. In Madison, there’s the Lake Herman State Park, which offers amazing photogenic views of – you guessed it – Lake Herman, as well as excellent camping, fishing, and hunting opportunities. If you loved the geology of Custer State Park, be sure to also visit Palisades State Park, in Garretson. Split Rock Creek runs right through it, and the fascinating rock formations and surrounding geography are second to none. Obviously, there are many more – but these ones are seriously among the best.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
With over 300 wonderful trails to choose from, South Dakota is a great place for hikers. We would argue that every hiking trail in South Dakota is the best hiking trail in South Dakota, but there are definitely some that tend to be more popular than others. Among the best hikes in South Dakota are the amazing Notch Trail, at Badlands National Park. It’s rated as moderate and extends for just one and a half miles, making it an excellent scenic short-and-sweet trek for nature fans. Prepare for awesome views on that one! Then, there’s the Black Elk Peak Loop, at Custer State Park, which is seven miles long and takes you to the highest point in all of South Dakota. Oh, and you can’t skip the world-famous Mount Rushmore and Presidential Trail Loop, which leads to the rock pile at the bottom of Mount Rushmore.
What are the best parks in South Dakota for nature lovers?
South Dakota is an outrageously beautiful place filled with wonder and awe; it seems like everywhere you turn, there’s something amazing in front of you, and our state and/or National Parks are definitely a huge part of that. There are six National Parks in South Dakota, and 63 state parks as well, so it’s safe to say you’ve got a lot of exploring to do! Some of our favorite state parks in South Dakota include gems like Custer State Park, which is home to awe-inspiring geological formations, historic sites, and even an epic scenic drive. In Madison, there’s the Lake Herman State Park, which offers amazing photogenic views of – you guessed it – Lake Herman, as well as excellent camping, fishing, and hunting opportunities. If you loved the geology of Custer State Park, be sure to also visit Palisades State Park, in Garretson. Split Rock Creek runs right through it, and the fascinating rock formations and surrounding geography are second to none. Obviously, there are many more – but these ones are seriously among the best.
