When I heard the name Badlands, I did not picture an area that would have a lot of wildlife. The area is very dry and full of the beautiful crumbly formations that come in a variety of colors:
Badlands formations come in many colors
The formations are also beautiful to photograph and view during sunsets.
Badlands silhouette at sunset
As Mike and I spent more time hiking and exploring the area, we found that the Badlands of South Dakota also have Grasslands and support a wide range of wildlife. The area is termed “mixed grass prairie”. Buffalo Gap National Grasslands is nearby and has an information center in Wall, SD if you are interested in learning more about grasslands. Here are some examples of the grasslands, a cactus and other flowers we encountered hiking the Badlands:
An example of grasslands intermixed with classic Badland formations
A cactus blooms among the grasses
Animals we observed in Badlands National Park included Bighorn Sheep:
Bighorn Sheep surveys the Badlands
Male Bighorn in grasslands
I’ve seen the sheep herd along either side of the park’s main road (north unit) near Dillon Pass/Conata Road and near Pinnacles Overlook. Lone sheep were spotted along the Castle Trail, Medicine Root Trail and the Notch Trail. During the peak of the afternoon heat, they often rest in high shady areas of the formation walls.
Bighorn sheep resting in the shade during the hot afternoon- viewed from the Notch Trail
Male Bighorn relaxes
Female (ewe) Bighorn sheep eating grasses
Bison and mule deer:
Bison relaxes in afternoon heat
Bison are often viewed in the area between Pinnacles Overlook to Sage Creek Campground along Sage Creek Rim Road. Often lone males can be spotted resting in the grasses below the Overlooks.
Mule deer eating from the grasslands.
I’ve spotted Mule deer, identifiable by their large ears, along the Castle Trail, Medicine Root Trail and near the Old Northeast Road.
This guy was caught in a private moment
We saw these antelope in grasslands from Sage Creek Rim Road:
Antelope feeding on grasslands
Prairie Dogs have set up several towns throughout the park:
Prairie Dog sits at his burrow entrance
Prairie Dogs are very social. Here they have eaten all of the vegetation near their burrow entrance
Prairie Dogs are easy to spot in multiple areas of the park. They are frequently viewed standing or sitting near their burrow and will chirp an alarm if anyone approaches to closely.
I’ve gotten shots of several birds including Western Meadowlarks (top 2), wild Turkey and a Western Bluebird:
Male western Meadowlark
Male Western Meadowlark shares his song
Wild Turkey
Western Bluebird
Turkeys were viewed near Dillon pass area several different days. Meadowlarks can be found throughout the grasslands and can be located via their distinctive song. The males are easily identified from their bright yellow chest. There are many other species of bird that are fairly easy to spot: Black Capped Chickadees, Cedar Waxwings, Magpies, Falcons and Burrowing Owls. Additionally, Cliff Swallows can be viewed coming and going from their nests built on the formation walls. In the cool of the early evening they can be viewed diving for insects.
I even caught this flock of White Pelicans passing through:
White Pelicans
Flock of White Pelicans flies overhead
There are several snakes that are common to the park: Racers, Gopher Snakes, Garters and Prairie Rattlesnake. The only Prairie Rattlesnake we have seen during our time in the Badlands had unfortunately been hit by a car on the park road. They blend very well in the grasslands.
A frog keeps cool in a puddle of recent rain water
With some time spent looking, you can find plenty of wildlife for viewing and photography in the Badlands National Park of South Dakota. Many animals can be seen from the roads and overlooks. The best time of day to spot wildlife is early morning and evening, especially in the hotter months of the year. During the heat of the day, animals can often be spotted resting in shady areas of the formations. Binoculars are very useful for getting a closer look.
These picture were taken during our June 2012 and May 2015 trips.
