OffBeat Pathfinder Basecamp

Rolling into the Badlands at dusk, I honestly thought I’d landed on another planet. There’s nothing quite like those striped buttes glowing in the sunset. Most folks stop for a few photos and hit the road, but trust me, this place deserves more than a windshield glance. I camped at Sage Creek for a few nights (bison for neighbors, free “prairie dogs” alarm clock).

Favorite moment: sunrise hike on the Notch Trail—mist in the canyons, silence so complete you can hear your own heartbeat, and then suddenly, the wind howling like a rock concert for ghosts. Don’t skip the Fossil Exhibit Trail or you’ll miss the oddest ancient jawbones you’ve ever seen.

**Tips:**
- Bring water and then some. The sun in June? Relentless.
- You can see bighorn sheep from the overlook if you’re patient.
- Wall Drug is right up the highway. Giant donut, yes, but skip the T-rex if you value your eardrums.

Anyone else have Badlands stories? Wild weather, night skies, random wildlife? Let’s hear your legends.

Drove through in a thunderstorm once—sky turned green, and the lightning show was epic. Parked at the Pinnacles overlook, watched a herd of bison ignore the chaos like it was just another Tuesday. My boots were ruined, but I got the best photos of my life.

If you camp, bring earplugs. Last summer, coyotes sang all night—and my kids thought it was cool until about 2 a.m. when the “ghost howling” got real! For stargazing, the Badlands are top-tier. Saw the Milky Way for the first time here.

Best part is watching a storm roll in from the overlooks—clouds moving like a stampede. Also: found an old fossil in the parking lot and spent 30 minutes convinced I’d discovered something new. (Park ranger: “That’s a cow bone, friend.” Still worth it.)