In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are sharing five amazing fun facts about Badlands National Park!
If you haven’t been here, you will want to start planning your trip when you hear about how cool this park is. Let’s dive into the history and wonder of Badlands!
Join us as we cover:
- The geology of Badlands National Park
- Why you don’t want to miss this national park
- The paleontology and fossils you can find in this area
- The fascinating facts about the grasslands in this park
- The three major wildlife reintroductions in Badlands
- The human history in this park
- How water shapes the Badlands
Badlands National Park will absolutely surprise you, and you’ll appreciate what you’re seeing so much more after learning these fun facts.
You can find a full itinerary for Badlands and the other South Dakota parks here!
Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:
Badlands National Park Overview
We love visiting Badlands National Park, but you may be less than wowed as you’re driving through if you don’t really know what you’re looking at.
Badlands National Park in South Dakota is a captivating destination that showcases the stunning landscapes of the Wild West. A badland is a fast-eroding geologic formation. Badlands don’t hold together very well because they erode quickly, but that’s why they’re so beautiful. As you’re looking at the badlands, you’ll see layers of different shades of reds, pinks, and yellows, and it is just gorgeous!
Badlands are a specific type of formation that you can find in other areas like North Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska, but we hope that these fun facts about Badlands National Park will help you enjoy this area even more!
Badlands Fun Facts
1: The Badlands Are Only Here For A Limited Time
Unlike other geological sites that span billions of years, the Badlands’ existence is relatively brief, estimated to last only about a million years. To put it into perspective, if Earth’s lifespan was compressed into a hundred years, the Badlands would be present for a mere eight days. This fleeting nature makes experiencing the Badlands a truly remarkable opportunity.
Why are badlands only going to be here for such a short period of time? This can be answered by exploring how the badlands were actually formed.
Badlands National Park was once an expansive shallow sea known as the Western Interior Seaway, stretching diagonally across North America. Over a 50-million-year period, sediments such as sand, silt, mud, clay, limestone, volcanic ash, and shale were deposited at the bottom of this sea. These sediments form the distinct layers and vibrant colors visible in the Badlands today. However, these materials are not known for their durability, as they erode quickly under the forces of nature.
The Badlands’ erosion rate is staggering, with the land receding at a pace of one inch per year. In comparison, the neighboring Black Hills, composed mostly of granite, erode at a much slower rate of one inch per 10,000 years. This erosion process accounts for the ever-changing shapes and forms that define the Badlands. Geologists estimate that the erosion began approximately 500,000 years ago, placing the Badlands in its middle-aged phase. In the next half a million years, these captivating formations will disappear entirely.
2: White River Badlands Played A Significant Role in Paleontology
In the 1800s, out of the 84 identified species of animals in the North American fossil record, 77 were found in this region, making it a crucial site for paleontologists. During this time, there was a frenzy to find dinosaur bones, and many researchers traveled to the Badlands in search of these ancient remains. While they didn’t discover dinosaur bones, they found an abundance of other fossils, particularly mammal fossils.
Badlands National Park, located in the center of this paleontological activity, became known for its rich mammal record. It housed various creatures from the past, such as the oreodonts, ancient camel-sheep-pig-like animals, and hornless rhinos. These animals roamed the area when the climate was transitioning from a shallow sea to a drier environment.
One of the most famous finds in the Badlands is the “Big Pig Dig,” a major watering hole where numerous animals gathered. As the watering holes became scarce during the area’s transition, animals became desperate for water, often getting trapped in the mud and perishing.
The Big Pig Dig, with its large concentration of animals, resulted in the discovery of a significant number of fossils. Among them were the sabertooth cat-like nimravids and the massive Brontotheres, known as “thunder beasts,” which were the largest mammals of their time, resembling modern rhinos but taller and longer.
Additionally, the Badlands preserved fossils from the earliest stages of the fossil record, including the mosasaurs, marine reptiles seen in movies like “Jurassic World.” These fascinating creatures inhabited the ancient oceans and were known for their impressive predatory abilities.
While the Badlands may not have yielded dinosaur bones, its wealth of mammal fossils and other ancient remains make it a critical site for understanding the history of life on Earth. The discoveries made in this region contribute to our knowledge of the diverse creatures that roamed North America millions of years ago.
3: Badlands Preserves a Large Amount of Grassland
Badlands National Park protects one of the largest expanses of mixed grass prairie in the country. This is unique because much of the surrounding land in South Dakota, Nebraska, and the Great Plains region is used for agriculture. The preservation of the grasslands in Badlands is significant because it maintains a diverse ecosystem.
The park is located in an area that transitions from wetter grasslands in the east to drier ones in the west, resulting in a mix of tall and short grasses. Badlands is home to over 400 different species of plants, including various types of grasses. Grasses are resilient and serve as a vital food source for animals such as buffalo.
The grasslands in Badlands National Park also play an important role in preserving geological formations. While other areas may have mushroom rocks as capstones to protect the underlying structures, Badlands relies on the grass, known as sod tables, to prevent erosion and preserve the land. These sod tables act as miniature time capsules, preserving archaeological and geological records that would otherwise erode away.
Badlands National Park is a special place that safeguards a significant portion of grassland and showcases the interconnectedness of nature and history.
4: Badlands National Park Has Had Three Major Wildlife Reintroductions
Wildlife reintroductions are pretty rare, so three major wildlife reintroductions are quite significant! Despite being historically within the natural range of buffalo, the population disappeared due to efforts to eliminate them during the westward expansion of the US. As a result, buffalo had to be reintroduced to the park, and now there are more than 1,200 of them!
The park is also home to bighorn sheep, which were reintroduced from Pike’s Peak in Colorado. There are now over 250 bighorn sheep in the park, known for their impressive climbing abilities.
The third reintroduction in Badlands National Park is the black-footed ferret. This species was once considered extinct, but a population was discovered after a dog named Shep brought one back to its owner. The ferret population had suffered due to the decline in prairie dogs, their primary food source, caused by the Black Plague.
Since then, black-footed ferrets have been bred in captivity and reintroduced to Badlands National Park, with successful results. The park has even expanded its efforts by reintroducing ferrets to Wind Cave. These reintroductions have contributed to the diversity of wildlife in Badlands National Park, making it a great destination for observing and appreciating animals in their natural habitat.
5: The Name Badlands Comes From The Native American People
The Badlands of South Dakota hold a fascinating human history that stretches back thousands of years. The name “Badlands” originated from the Lakota tribe, who referred to these formations as “mako sica,” meaning “bad lands” in their language. The term perfectly captures the inhospitable nature of these barren lands that are difficult to traverse, hindering plant growth and posing challenges for travelers.
French trappers interacting with the Lakota people adopted the term “bad lands” to describe the treacherous terrain in their language. The area’s ruggedness and susceptibility to mudslides during rainfall made it a formidable obstacle. The Native American tribes, particularly the Lakota, relied on the abundant buffalo herds that roamed the Great Plains and followed their migratory patterns. This nomadic lifestyle, centered around hunting buffalo, shaped their entire culture and community.
The history of the Native American tribes, particularly the Lakota, in the Badlands region is captivating. The area served as a seasonal hunting ground for over 12,000 years. However, significant changes occurred in the 1700s with the introduction of horses to the local tribes. The Lakota people, renowned as skilled hunters and warriors, developed a close connection with the buffalo herds that provided their primary source of sustenance.
The Hollywood depiction of Native American culture often draws inspiration from the Lakota tribe, with movies like “Dances with Wolves” highlighting the conflicts that arose between settlers, the US government, and Native American tribes. The actual historical events resulted in the forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands and the establishment of reservations. The Black Hills region, located near the Badlands, still holds great significance and remains sacred to the Native American communities.
The Homestead Act played a pivotal role in the region’s settlement. As pioneers ventured westward, they encountered the challenges of the arid South Dakota landscape. The initial allocation of 160 acres to settlers proved challenging due to the scarcity of water. Eventually, the land grants were doubled to 320 acres and later increased to 640 acres for ranching purposes, which required less water than farming.
Water, or the lack thereof, has always been a critical issue in the West. Even today, disputes over water rights persist, shaping the region’s development and culture. Mark Twain’s famous quote, “Whiskey is for drinking, and water is for fighting over,” aptly characterizes the ongoing struggles surrounding water resources.
The human history of the Badlands continues to evolve, with tourism now playing a significant role. Visitors explore the breathtaking landscapes, experience the rich heritage, and share their adventures with family and friends. The Badlands’ allure lies not only in its natural wonders but also in its captivating human history, making it a destination worth delving into.
So, when you embark on your journey to the Badlands, take the time to immerse yourself in its fascinating stories. Learn about the paleontological discoveries, marvel at the geologic formations, and appreciate the deep-rooted connection of the Lakota people to the land.
As you explore this off-the-beaten-path gem near Rapid City and Mount Rushmore, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the region’s history and have an unforgettable experience.
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Badlands National Park
- Badlands Can’t-Miss List
- South Dakota Itinerary
- How Badlands Buttes Came to Be
- White River Badlands Paleontology
- The Big Pig Dig
- Brontothere
- Mosasaur
- Badlands Mixed-grass Prairie
- Sod Tables
- Buffalo History
- Bighorn Sheep
- Black-footed Ferret
- Naming the Badlands
- Ancient People of the Badlands
- Crazy Horse Book
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