The Badlands!

START:  Wall, SD                 TODAY:       179  Miles

END:      Chamberlain, SD   TOTAL:    7,860   Miles

Shortly after leaving Wall this morning we entered the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands.  Before the homesteaders arrived by wagon train, The Lakota Indians followed the migrating buffalo
herds across these plains.

This view abruptly changed as we came into The Badlands National Park.  How could 100 yards make such a dramatic difference in the landscape?  Well, 37 million years ago the volcanoes began the transformation, and then water was the carving agent.  

The vistas were spectacular at the viewing overlooks, but just as special along the roadway. 

The Lakota Indians called these lands “Mako Sica” meaning badlands.   The Badlands included peaks, gullies, and buttes that all seemed to shift colors as the light changed. 

  

Just as we had become accustomed to the banded-color peaks, we came to the Yellow Mounds near Dillon Pass.

We once again watched the presentation at The Visitor’s Center to understand the geological history and paleontology studies of these lands.  The active fossil lab on site was very interesting and informative. 

 

As we were leaving the park we were lucky enough to see Mule Deer and Big Horn Sheep. 

When planning this trip months ago, we read about a 1800s town along our route.  When we arrived it was apparent it was a tourist trap, but we decided to take the tour.  A local man had created an old west town by saving original South Dakota buildings from being destroyed.  Each building, train, water tower, fire equipment was from the 1800s.

The museum honored the history of the Native Americans of South Dakota as well as displaying many artifacts depicting the difficult life of early settlers. 

The Hollywood connection was not to be ignored, since the museum provided most of the props for the movie Dances With Wolves which was filmed in the area.   

Many photographs documented the old west. Native Americans and Army Forts were included in the collection.  One photograph that caught my eye included Doc Holiday, Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson and Butch Cassidy.  

 

A heat wave hit this area a couple of days ago, and the temp reached 105 today, so we were pleased to settle in The American Creek Campground.  Our site is within a few steps of the banks of The Missouri River. 

Click on Location to spot us on Google Map