Hi there!
As you’re driving the Badlands Loop Road, the Big Badlands Overlook can either be your grand intro to the Badlands, or it can be your final stop leaving you a lasting impression of the Badlands! 😄
The Big Badlands Overlook of Badlands National Park can be a quick stop that comes with scenic views of the South Dakota badlands.
You’ll walk a short boardwalk trail, and at the end of the boardwalk you will arrive to vast views of the badlands and even some grasslands!
The official description of Big Badlands Overlook, as described by the National Park Service:
Big Badlands Overlook provides the opportunity to view the eastern portion of the Badlands wall, and erosional feature that expands from near the town Kadoka (east) to the town of Wall (west).
Big Badlands Overlook is a simple stop along the main road in Badlands National Park.
Along with the short boardwalk, there’s also another area off to the side that you can walk around for different views of the badlands and grasslands while you are at this overlook. This doesn’t have an official path but you can walk around on the dirt.
If you just walk out onto the easy boardwalk, the stop at Big Badlands Overlook can take you 5 minutes. If you walk around more and spend longer taking in the views, you might end up stopping for 10-15 minutes… or more!
Generally speaking in Badlands National Park, sometimes the dirt can be loose gravel which means it can be slippery so take care! If it’s flat it’s generally fine but it’s when you start on trails that go up or down that you may notice it.
There was a hill I climbed up elsewhere in the park around the Yellow Mounds Overlook that I was afraid to come down because of the loose gravel! The loose gravel is also what made the Saddle Pass Trail scary for me! I was even wearing hiking boots. I was happy to have hiking poles to secure myself!
This area that I’m talking about around Big Badlands Overlook has a flat area, at least the area I was walking around, but it’s still something to be aware of in general before you go wandering off-trail at the various overlooks!
Badlands National Park has an “open-hike policy” which means that you are allowed to walk off on unofficial trail-like paths you see. (And there are many in the park!)
What you’ll see at the Big Badlands Overlook trail
The timing (lighting) can make a difference in how the badlands will look when you’re there.
For reference, I was at Big Badlands Overlook around 11am on a clear day in August 2021.
First I went to the area off of the boardwalk, and then I walked out onto the boardwalk.
🌞
And then once you’ve taken in the scenic views of the badlands, you can head back!
Getting to the Big Badlands Overlook parking
There is a decent size parking lot at the Big Badlands Overlook.
Again, this is along the main road of Badlands National Park. Big Badlands Overlook is located along Badlands Loop Road, which is Highway SD-240.
The Big Badlands Overlook is found right near the Cedar Pass area of Badlands National Park, and it’s right near the northeast entrance of Badlands National Park.
If you are entering from the northeast entrance of Badlands National Park, then the Big Badlands Overlook can be your first stop!
If you will be leaving from the same spot, you might also stop by to see how it looks in a different lighting! The lighting can make a difference in how the badlands look.
So to keep it simple, if you’re entering from the northeast entrance, all you have to do is be on the lookout for the first overlook parking area. It will be obvious. There will also be a sign for Big Badlands Overlook.
If you’re coming from the opposite direction, then it will be a major overlook parking area after you pass the trailhead parking for the Door Trail, Window Trail, and Notch Trail. (It’s one parking lot for all of the those trails.)
Northeast entrance of Badlands National Park to Big Badlands Overlook is about a 2 minute drive. (google maps)
Ben Reifel Visitor Center to Big Badlands Overlook is about a 10 minute drive. (google maps)
Cedar Pass campground to Big Badlands Overlook is about a 10 minute drive. (google maps)
Sage Creek campground to Big Badlands Overlook is about a 50 minute drive if you take I-90. (google maps) It will be about a 1.5 hour drive if you drive entirely through the park along Badlands Loop Road… if you don’t stop at all! (google maps) Basically this is the time it will take you to reach the furthest point in the park if you do stay at this campground.
If you have decided that this is one of your can’t-be-missed spots in Badlands National Park, then Big Badlands Overlook is listed on google maps. It may be best to download offline google maps before you go (it’s free) as data may be sporadic throughout Badlands National Park.
What to do near Big Badlands Overlook?!
You’ve got options!
Just 5 minutes down the road on Badlands Loop Road is a parking lot where you can start a collection of trails:
- Notch Trail (Badlands ladder hike)
- Window Trail
- Door Trail
- Castle Trail
Each of these trails is worthy in their own way.
HAPPY WALKING AROUND THE BIG BADLANDS OVERLOOK OF BADLANDS LOOP ROAD!
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