Badlands to the Bone
Though we ended up staying in South Dakota for a few days, our final destination was actually the entire reason that we planned our trip to the state. We wanted to visit Badlands National Park.
As soon as we pulled into the park, we were immediately greeted by a Kentucky license plate with Campbell County tags in the small Visitor Center parking lot. For those that do not know, Campbell County is only 5 minutes from where I (Dev) grew up. Somehow, I managed to resist the midwestern urge to ask around and find the other Kentuckian in the Badlands gift shop and we were on our way to our picnic spot.
We drove the road deep into the park before pulling off at a beautiful overlook and making a pair of avocado and jalapeño chip sandwiches that while not fit for a king are in fact fit for two people who do not currently have jobs. We shoved down our sandwiches and headed off to hike the main paths recommended by the guides at the Visitor Center.
In our travels, we have prioritized National Parks, making Badlands the 26th National Park that we have visited together. While all of the National Parks protect incredible land formations and wilderness areas, some of the parks allow visitors more unfiltered access to the landscape. Badlands is one of these parks.
Badlands has an open-hike policy, meaning that visitors can venture off trail and explore to their heart’s content. Of course, this is all within reason (as long as the visitor is respecting the land and the wildlife that inhabit it), but it makes a visit to the park all the more magical. In this remote, rugged terrain filled with wind-swept rock formations, you can venture off on your own journey of exploration.
While our journey mostly involved us sticking to the main trails (& climbing a few off-trail hills), we did have the opportunity to see many different species of wildlife: bison, prairie dogs (which were actually confirmed to carry the bubonic plague this week - glad we kept our distance!), mountain goats, rabbits, and *drumroll please* BURROWING OWLS!
Phil & I have been married nearly 10 years & we’ve traveled the world together during that time. We’ve stood on the mountains of the Swiss Alps, ventured through New York City at Christmastime, and have eaten some of the best food that this world has to offer. And yet, I’m pretty sure seeing these burrowing owls perched on top of the prairie dog huts has been the highlight of Phil’s life so far.
What can you do?