Badlands National Park South Dakota

B adlands National Park in         area was redesignated a "National  South Dakota consists of        Park" in 1978.                     244,000 acres of sharply                                           eroded buttes, pinnacles and          4. Badlands National Park          spires. Over 11,000 years of          contains rich Oligocene epoch      human history can be found within     fossil beds, dating from 23 to 35  the sod layers while 30-65            million years ago. The rock        million-year-old fossils erode        layers hold the fossilized         out of the rocks. Known locally       remains of early mammals such as   to the Lakota Sioux as "mako          three-toed horses, housecat sized  sica" the area was first called       deer, rhinoceros, saber-toothed    "badlands" by early French            cats, camels, and giant pigs.      trappers due to the difficulty of                                        travel and the lack of water.         5. Badlands National Park has two                                        International Sister Parks:        Badlands Trivia                       Vashlovani National Park in the                                          country of Georgia and Hortobagy   1. The Badlands Wilderness Area       National Park in Hungary.          includes 2 management units and                                          covers 64,000 acres in the            Badlands Attractions               northern portion of the park.                                                                                  1. See paleontology in action at   2. The 133,000-acre South Unit of     the "Pig Dig" as park staff and    the park is located within Pine       South Dakota School of Mines and   Ridge Indian Reservation and          Technology students work during    managed in cooperation with the       the summer. Visitors to the        Oglala Sioux Tribe.                   Conata Picnic Area can watch                                             paleontologists removing 33        3. Established as Badlands            million year-old fossils that      National Monument in 1939, the        were trapped in an ancient         watering hole.                        the prairie and rock formations.                                                                            2. Enjoy spectacular scenery,         Badlands National Park presents    opportunities for wildlife            you with a chance to look back     viewing, wayside exhibits, and        into history. If you are looking   trails along Badlands Loop Road.      for wide open, unspoiled places                                          to hike and camp, the Park may be  3. Take a backcountry hike in the     just for you.                      Badlands Wilderness to explore         About the Author: Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers of writing journals for outdoor activities. Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com to read more articles. Source: www.isnare.com