Badlands NP
BADLANDS SUNRISE
Badlands ND Near Wells, SD
"Wonderland of The Bizarre" - was a term used in an online article I read when researching my first visit to Badlands NP in South Dakota. In some ways, this description fits, but in many ways, I found the Badlands to be one of my favorite parks to visit.
This not-so-well know National Park, located in southwestern South Dakota, is filled with countless zebra-striped buttes, sharp pinnacle spires, and colorful rolling hills, which provide fantastic photographic opportunities in every direction. The Badlands is a great place to spend several days or a week taking in all the beautiful hikes, pullouts, and scenic overlooks it offers.
The Badlands is a large (244,000 acres) national park by area and is made up of 3 separate units. However, most visitors will stay in the North Unit.
Unless you travel into the Badlands, you will mostly shoot from the Badlands Loop Rd (a 22 mile two lane paved road that runs through the heart of the park) where there are 14 separate lookouts and numerous pullouts. From a photography standpoint, the Badlands offers hundreds of unique compositions. However, sometimes it is difficult to find the perfect spot to capture the essence of what you see.
Along the Loop Rd, most of the scenes are made up of colorful rolling hills and grassy mounds. There are however, 2 areas along the Loop that provide tall pinnacles spires which make for a target rich environment for photography. These areas are: 1) about 2 miles east of the Pinnacles Entrance Station between the Pinnacles Overlook to the Yellow Mound Overlook and 2) the area between the White River Overlook to the Norbeck Pass (by the Fossil Exhibit Trail). '
The strip between Pinnacles Overlook and the Yellow Mound overlook are best photographed from predawn to sunrise as the early morning glow brings out the colors and textures of the formations. The area by the Fossil Exhibit Trail is best from sunrise to and hour or so after - as the sidelight provides for great colors and contract to the tall pinnacles spires.
Images and location summary by Tim Wier
Trail Difficulty - EASY
I would rate the difficulty of this trail to this specific location as a 1 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult) as it was taken 30ft from a pullout on the side of the road. Most photographic locations are easy to modest if you stay along the Badlands Loop Rd (SD - 240). If you travel off the road into the Badlands, the trails can be more difficult.
GPS Coordinates & Elevation
2,626 Ft. Elevation
View In Google earth
Directions
CLICK HERE to get driving directions to the location of this shot
From Wall, SD - travel south on SD 240 for 8 miles until you come to the entrance to the National Park (Badlands Pinnacles Entrance Station). Continue through the park for 18 miles, and after you come around a sharp bend to the right (just the Fossil Exhibit Trailhead), you will see a small pullout on the right side of the road. Park at the pullout, and the location of the shot is an easy 30 ft walk (to the north - same side of the road as the pullout). You can't miss it.
Photography Tips
The main image above was taken about 40 minutes after sunrise (5:43 am on a morning when sunrise was at 5:05 am) when I was just driving around looking for a good composition to take advantage of the early morning light.
I came around a bend in the road and happened to look to my right and saw this incredible opportunity. Luckily, there was a pullout along the road to park and set up. I quickly set up my tripod and captured the image before the light changed. The image is pretty straightforward - and was made possible with filtered light through intermittent cloud cover. Without the defused light, the highlights in the image would be much harsher.
After taking the first shot, I moved around a little, looking for different compositions, but the shot just off the side of the road was my favorite. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good…
Other images from Badlands NP
Near Burns Basin Overlook
White River Valley Overlook
White River Valley Overlook
EXIF Data
Focal Length – 135 mm
Exposure – 1/1800th sec @ f 8.0
ISO – 100
Date – June 24th
Time – 6:43 am
Other Images From This Location
Best Time of Day to Shoot
I found the best time to shoot The Badlands is sunrise, sunset, and the blue hour to twilight. During the middle of the day, the shadows are too extreme, and the colors are washed out.
The main image above was taken at 5:43 am on a day when sunrise was at 5:07am
Best Time of Year
Late Spring and early Fall are good times to visit the Badlands NP. In the Summer, the temperatures can get above 100°; the area tends to get late afternoon thunderstorms (some violent) but can provide dramatic clouds and rain.
The main image above was taken on June 24th
Lens(es) Needed
When visiting the Badlands, you will use everything from a standard to a medium telephoto lens. When looking at the images I took from my visits; I used lenses ranging from 50mm - 180mm focal lengths. Most shots were taken with 120 - 180mm. If you are going to venture out into the Badlands to shoot, you would want to take a wide-angle zoom.
The main image above was taken with a 105mm equivalent lens
Birds-Eye View
Permits
After paying the Badlands National Park fee (currently $35 - good for 7 days), no other permits are required.
Direction of the Shot
The direction of the shot is north by northwest at 340°.
Equipment Needed
No special equipment is needed other than a sturdy tripod. If you venture out into the Badlands, make sure you bring a hat, plenty of water, and a compass or GPS app on your phone - as it is very easy to get disoriented.
Number of Other Photographers to Expect
The Badlands National Park can be busy during the summer months. However, the location of the shot most likely will not be crowded at all.
Weather
Weather in Badlands National Park can be somewhat unpredictable, with temperature extremes getting over 100° in the Summer and can have occasional violent late afternoon thunderstorms (and hailstorms).
Cell Service
I have Verizon, and cell service in the national park is mostly good. Some areas are spotty, but driving around, you should be able to find a signal.
Lodging & Camping
The closest town to Badlands NP is Wall, SD (15-minute drive), which has several hotels and motels and a couple of RV campsites. Inside the park, there are two campsites and the Cedar Pass Lodge (close to the Ben Reifel Visitors center at the East entrance to the park.
A GREAT ALTERNATIVE is to park/camp in a boondocks camping area just a few miles north of the Badlands Pinnacles Entrance Station. This dispersed camping area does not have an official name but is sometimes called "Dispersed Camping at Badlands National Park" or "The Wall at Badlands National Park." This is somewhat of a misnomer because the site is a part of the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. This dispersed camping area can hold hundreds of vehicles and is free to the public. However, there are NO SERVICES what-s0-ever.
Nearby camping and lodging
Camping - click on the campground below for directions
Cedar Pass Campground (4 miles)
Sage Creek Campground (40 miles)
Sleepy Hollow RV Park - (25 miles)
1-877-386-4383
Nearby Restaurants
The closest eating establishments are in Wall, SD. Wall is primarily a tourist town dominated by Wall Drug Store and all that implies.
Area Guides and Workshops
Ian Plant is a badasss at the badlands! Check out his awesome portfolio for the unique national park. He has some of the best work I have seen there.
He also provides a workshop. Chick here for information on his workshop.