Hi there!
If you’re looking to see different colors of the Badlands, you just might love driving to see the “yellow mounds” of Badlands National Park!
The Yellow Mounds Overlook in Badlands National Park can be a quick stop that comes with scenic views of the South Dakota badlands.
And actually, you don’t even need to stop to see some yellow mounds.
You will see them as you are driving along Badlands Loop Road, which is the main road in the national park.
So you might just be happy with what you see as you’re driving and not even feel a need to actually stop!
Be on the lookout for yellow in the badlands as you’re approaching and driving away from the official overlook too!
Watch the Yellow Mounds video on youtube!
The official description of Yellow Mounds Overlook, as described by the National Park Service:
This overlook is placed within the most colorful portion of Badlands geology.
Yellow, purple, gray, and striped reddish beds display the sequence of Yellow Mounds, the Interior Paleosol, Chadron, and Brule formations respectively, from bottom to top.
Trails from Yellow Mounds Overlook
If you do want to stop, there’s a small parking lot for the Yellow Mounds Overlook where you can stop to walk around to see the yellow mounds too.
There are also unofficial trails that you can take from the Yellow Mounds parking lot.
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 such trails in the park, including around Yellow Mounds Overlook!
Generally speaking in Badlands National Park, sometimes the dirt can be dry 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.
I noticed this loose gravel when on a small hill at the Yellow Mounds overlook. I was afraid to come down because of the loose gravel!
I actually did the hill a second time with hiking poles, and felt much more comfortable going down (although still a bit scared 😜) as the hiking poles allowed me to secure myself a bit better.
Elsewhere in the park, the loose gravel is also what made the Saddle Pass Trail scary for me!
How much time do you need at Yellow Mounds Overlook in Badlands National Park?
If you are happy with what you see as you’re driving, you don’t need to spend any time.
If you just want some quick pictures, the stop at Yellow Mounds Overlook can take you less than 5 minutes.
If you walk around more and spend longer walking the trails from the Yellow Mounds Overlook, you might end up stopping for 10-15 minutes… or more!
Getting to the Yellow Mounds Overlook parking
You will find the small Yellow Mounds Overlook parking lot directly along Badlands Loop Road.
Again, this is along the main road of Badlands National Park. Yellow Mounds Overlook is located along Badlands Loop Road, which is Highway SD-240.
Once you get near, you’ll see a sign indicating that there’s a viewpoint ahead. And then you’ll see a sign that tells you it’s the Yellow Mounds Overlook.
Pinnacles entrance of Badlands National Park to Yellow Mounds Overlook is about a 10 minute drive. (google maps)
Ben Reifel Visitor Center to Yellow Mounds Overlook is about a 35 minute drive. (google maps)
Cedar Pass campground to Yellow Mounds Overlook is about a 35 minute drive. (google maps)
Sage Creek campground to Yellow Mounds Overlook is about a 45 minute drive when you drive Badlands Loop Road or I-90. (google maps)
If you have decided that this is one of your can’t-be-missed spots in Badlands National Park, then Yellow Mounds 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.
See below for more yellow mounds that you can see as you are driving along Badlands Loop Road!
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Now…
Driving Badlands Loop Road to Yellow Mounds Overlook from Pinnacles Overlook
PHOTOS!
The timing (lighting) can make a difference in how the badlands will look when you’re there.
For reference, I was doing this drive along Badlands Loop Road from Pinnacles Overlook to Yellow Mounds Overlook around 4:45pm to 5pm on a day with blue skies in August 2021.
If you’re looking for where to enter Badlands National Park, there is the Pinnacles entrance near the Pinnacles Overlook, and this is the Wall SD entrance.
So this is as you’ll see it when you’re driving from east to west. And the views of the yellow mounds on this drive along Badlands Loop Road is to the west of the Yellow Mounds Overlook.
You will also come across a sign for the Conata picnic area. If you’re looking for a picnic spot near Yellow Mounds Overlook, this is it!
And you have arrived at the Yellow Mounds Overlook!
And that’s a bit about seeing yellow mounds along Badlands Loop Road!
See more colors of the South Dakota badlands!
HAPPY DRIVING TO SEE THE YELLOW MOUNDS OF BADLANDS LOOP ROAD!
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