Summary

Wildlife, solitude, fossils, and otherworldly scenery make Badlands National Park the perfect backpacking destination for this 2-day, 1-night trip.

Intro

Badlands National Park consistently exceeds visitors' expectations. The dramatic landscape is home to a wide variety of wildlife including bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, coyotes, prairie dogs, rattlesnakes, and black-footed ferrets. It's also a hotbed of fossils and rocks for amateur and professional paleontologists and geologists. Backpacking and camping in this rugged terrain is the best way to get up close and personal with this dramatic landscape. With 244,000 acres to wander, you will find something new with every visit to this constantly changing landscape.

What Makes It Great

Backpacking through the Badlands, you can’t help but feel in awe of the desolate and untouched wilderness. Far from civilization, it’s one of those places where you can truly feel like you have room to breathe while you take in a famous Badlands sunset.

On clear nights, you will be able to experience the Milky Way Galaxy arching over the southern skies.  Until electricity became widespread over 100 years ago, every human enjoyed unspoiled views of the night sky.  Today, because of the negligible light pollution near the Badlands, you too can witness this glorious sight.

Who is Going to Love It

The Badlands are perfect if you like unusual landscapes, moderate distance and difficulty, and are up for backcountry camping on prairies.  With minimal elevation gain and loss, this trail is accessible to all levels of backpacker fitness.

You are free to climb around wherever you'd like, but don't climb up anything you wouldn't be willing to fall back down.  :-)

Details

We will hike 3 miles on the prairie from the Conata Picnic area trailhead to "Deer Haven" which is an alcove in the formations which includes a grove of Juniper trees.  The hike is flat until the moderate climb up into Deer Haven.  This portion of the park is at approx. 2,700 ft elevation.

https://www.nps.gov/places/deer-haven-trailhead.htm

https://www.outdoorproject.com/united-states/south-dakota/deer-haven

A video of what it's like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsMAXWozRmA

Guest Requirements

• • Sense of adventure!

  • Cheerful and Flexible attitude   :-)

  • Able to hike 3 miles per day with a loaded pack 

What’s included:

• Advice and encouragement throughout the entire trip.  

• Cooking stove and fuel for the group

• Group first-aid kit

• Rental Gear if needed  

  • Tents

  • Sleeping pads

  • Sleeping bags

  • Backpacks

  • Camping chairs/stools

  • Trekking poles

  • Etc.

Day 1 

Meeting and gear check. 

We'll stop at the Missouri River Rest Area near Chamberlain to enjoy scenic views, explore the Lewis and Clark exhibits, and marvel at the magnificent "Dignity" statue

Early afternoon arrival at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center in Badlands National Park. (Last modern restrooms for the next 24 hours!)

Mid-afternoon arrive at the Conata Picnic Area Trailhead.

Hit the trail!  Hike 3 miles to Deer Haven.  We'll need to carry all our water but the trail is mostly flat.  Keep an eye out for wildlife and search for fossils!  Set up camp amidst the Juniper trees.  Enjoy fresh air, a beautiful sunset and the amazing night sky.  Sleep in your tent or try “cowboy camping” out under the stars while viewing the Milky Way!

Day 2 

Feel free to take time to sleep in, get up early for sunrise, or whatever you like!  Explore the Deer Haven area then hike back out.

Stop for lunch at the iconic Wall Drug Store: “A Pure Mid-Western Experience!”

• https://www.walldrug.com/

• Wall Drug consists of a collection of cowboy-themed stores, including a drug store, gift shop, several restaurants, and various other stores, as well as an art gallery and an 80-foot brontosaurus sculpture. Fun for all ages!

Drive home to Sioux Falls, arriving mid evening.

Guest packing list:

• Bring a sack lunch for the first day

• Snacks for the road trip and the trail

• Freeze-dried Backpacking meal for Day 1

• Breakfast at camp - oatmeal, granola bars, etc.

• Money for return trip lunch at Wall Drug

• Hiking shoes or boots

• Merino wool socks 

• Hat (cap or sun hat)

• Clothes

  • Clothes to hike in

  • clothes to sleep in

  • Clean, dry clothes for the ride home

• Sunscreen (small container)

• Toiletries, personal items, medications (could include sleeping aids, painkillers, allergy meds, etc.)

Optional items:

• Small pillow (I have some you can borrow if needed) 

• headlamp or small flashlight (I have some you can borrow if needed) 

• Sunglasses 

• lightweight rain jacket

• Hiking stick or trekking poles

• Headphones 

• Earplugs 

• Phone charger 

• Camera

• flip-flops or crocs or other light camp shoes/sandals

What NOT to bring:

• Negative attitude

• Speaker (allow those around you to enjoy the sounds of nature)