Badlands National Park,  National Parks

The Badlands

Badlands National Park in South Dakota

Another one of my motorcycle touring trips included a couple days visiting the Badlands in South Dakota. I was not expecting the beauty I discovered there.

The Lakota called the topography “Makhóšiča“, literally bad land, while French trappers called it “les mauvaises terres à traverser” – “the bad lands to cross”. This dry terrain is a type of soft sedimentary rock and clay-rich soils that have been extensively eroded by wind and water. It almost has a look of volcanic rock. And, it is so rich in colors, patterns and shapes. This type of terrain can be found in several locations in the U.S. such as Makoshika State Park in Montana,Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota and the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Another popular area of badland formations is Toadstool Geologic Park in the Oglala National Grassland of northwestern Nebrask and you can include Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado and Utah.

Retired. Having fun with photography. Journal daily. Meditate daily. Learning haiku/poetry. Have a love for fountain pens.

6 Comments

  • Paul

    I’ve not been to either of the Dakotas, but certainly hope to get there and see some of this beauty. However, there just don’t seem to be many flights going to that part of the country. 🙂

  • Earl

    Monte, I visited the Badlands in 1980 during a cross-country camping road trip prior to shipping out to England for three years.

    My reaction was much as yours…surprise at the rugged beauty I discovered and a respect for those who lived, explored and travel in this area years ago.

    This photo captures the beautiful sediment layers well, but doesn’t give a true indication to the vastness of the Badlands. Still, a wonderful photo.