Badlands National Park Best Photography Spots

The Badlands National Park is a rugged and sparsely populated park that has retained most of the original landscapes. The geological formations in this park were formed over millions of years, with Badlands made from eroded limestone that contains many fossils and artifacts from prehistoric inhabitants. 

The Badlands National Park is in South Dakota. This park has a variety of incredible landscapes and views. The black hills are one of the most stunning parts of the park, and it is home to a wide variety of animals, including bison, elk, deer, wolves, and prairie dogs. The landscapes here are exceptional, and you can capture them any season!

Even though Badlands is a big park, it doesn’t have many roads and trails. This makes it easy to get around the park, but you’ll want to know where you’re going because you’ll drive a long way to get from one place to another.

We have listed the most stunning look photographing Badlands National Park. Here you’ll look at the park from the point of view of photography. 

The best gear to take pictures in Badlands National Park

A good camera and the holy trinity are the pieces of gear we recommend. A lens with a comprehensive view. 14-24mm or a similar range. A 24-70mm or equivalent lens and, of course, a 70-200mm or similar lens.

If you don’t have these lenses, don’t worry; something similar will work fine. You should also get a tripod if you want to take great pictures of sunsets at night.

Badlands National Park Best Photography Spots

1. Pinnacles Overlook

The Pinnacles Overlook one of Badlands National Park’s most photographed scenes. This overlook consists of several spires and pinnacles, a formation created through erosion in sedimentary rocks as resistance to weathering and erosion. The result was an intricate maze of geometric shapes, including spires, columns, and pinnacles. This area is best visited in the morning or late afternoon when the clouds rise over the horizon.

2. Yellow Mounds

The Yellow Mounds are a popular photography spot in Badlands National Park. The mounds rise from the badlands floor and are made up of eroded sediment. The yellow color comes from the minerals found in the sandstone and mudstone of the region. These photos were taken on a sunny morning when early morning fog lifted to reveal this beautiful prairie landscape.

3. Panorama Point

Panorama Point is one of the best photography spots in Badlands National Park. It’s a short, easy hike to this scenic overlook on the western edge of the park that offers incredible views over Badlands Wall. The view includes the hills and buttes obscured by distance, so it all appears to be one continuous hillside with badlands formations magically appearing out of nothingness. All in all, it’s an easy six-mile roundtrip hike that makes for great exploration.

4. Bigfoot Pass Overlook

The Bigfoot Pass Overlook is one of the best photography spots in Badlands National Park. Stand at the overlook to get the best views of Castle Geyser and the surrounding area. This spot is especially popular with photographers during sunrise and sunset when the lighting is perfect for beautiful pictures. The 17-mile round trip hike to this overlook can be challenging, so consult a park ranger before attempting it. They will recommend which time of day to hike, what supplies you’ll need to bring, and more!

5. Conata Basin

The Conata Basin in Badlands National Park is home to some of the most outstanding and beautiful views. With its colorful ridges and trails, this geological masterpiece has been photographed by many of the world’s photographers. This spot on a sunny day makes it even more glorious and spectacular. Be sure to take your time while here, as not only is it filled with fascinating topography, but you can also encounter bison herds along the way.

Badlands National Park Best Photography Spots

6. Big Badlands 

The Big Badlands Overlook in Badlands National Park is a quick stop with beautiful views of the badlands in South Dakota. You’ll walk along a short boardwalk trail. At the end of the boardwalk, you’ll see the badlands and some grasslands from afar. The Big Badlands Overlook is a simple stop along Badlands National Park’s main road. There is a short boardwalk at this overlook and an area off to the side where you can walk around to see different views of the badlands and grasslands. This doesn’t have an official path, but you can walk around in the dirt. The Big Badlands Overlook is right next to the Cedar Pass area of Badlands National Park, and it’s also right next to the northeast entrance to Badlands National Park.

7. Burns Basin

The Burns Basin is one of the most popular areas in Badlands National Park and one of our favorite spots to visit. The area is home to a small creek, lots of wildlife, and some interesting rock formations. It’s always worth the trip to visit this location!

8. Ancient Hunters

The Ancient Hunters of the Badlands National Park have assembled a list of the best photography spots at Badlands National Park. This beautiful park boasts a diverse landscape, with fossil beds and petrified forests that date back millions of years. Not only is this place full of beauty for your eyes to feast on, but it is also full of history.

9. Cedar Pass

The Cedar Pass Trail, in Badlands National Park, South Dakota, will lead you to the best places to photograph this amazing landscape. The trail winds through Black Elk Wilderness and leads you along steep rock cliffs and cedar trees. At the end of the hike, you’ll be able to choose from many spots to set up your tripod for some amazing photos of the Badlands.

10. Hay Butte

The Hay Butte Trail is one of the best photography spots in Badlands National Park. The trail takes hikers along a ridge that rises above the badlands and offers excellent opportunities to capture panoramic views of the area. Plus, it’s a good workout – climbing over 4,000 feet will give you a taste of what plains Indians must have felt as they observed their surroundings from the top of this butte.

Badlands National Park Best Photography Spots

11. Door Trail

One of the best photography spots in Badlands National Park is Door Trail. This trail is named after its distinctive rock formations and the gaping holes formed by wind erosion that give it a door-like appearance. The trail is short and easy, with breathtaking views throughout.

12. Monolith on Badland Loop Road

Monolith on Badland Loop Road is a must-stop photography spot at Badlands National Park. The word monolith actually means a single large stone, and this badlands formation certainly fits that description. The monolith stands roughly 50 feet tall and looks like it’s been sliced off right at its base. It’s a fun climb to the top of this formation for some great photo ops!

13. Ben Reifel Visitor Center Sign in

Experience the Badlands National Park by visiting the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. This building provides incredible views of the North and South Boundary Canyons, as well as the new Artifacts Exhibit and an orientation film. Look out over a network of hiking trails, paved drives, and picnic areas.

The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is a great place to stop and learn about the park and its history. There are also six hiking trails from one to five miles long, which offer great views of both prairie and buttes.

14. Medicine Root Trail

This trail is a great year-round destination for photographers. The Medicine Root Trail is located in the North Unit and offers spectacular views of the Badlands environment, including its brightly colored spires, buttes, and canyons. Offering long, varied views of both prairie and badlands landscapes, this trail is great for hikers looking for a moderately difficult hike with panoramic views from the top of the butte. It can be hiked in a few hours or turned into an overnight backpacking trip. You can make reservations at one of our campgrounds before heading out to ensure you have a spot waiting when you get back!

15. Prairie Wind Overlook

Prairie Wind is a great photography spot. This area has a wide-open view of the prairie and is a scenic spot that you can’t miss. It’s an easy walk from the Prairie Portage trailhead, which is near the visitor center. A good camera with long telephoto capabilities is suggested for this spot.

Badlands National Park Best Photography Spots

16. North Rim Observation Deck

The North Rim Observation deck is located on the high point of the Pinnacles. From here you have a panoramic view of Badlands National Park and several opportunities for landscape photographers. The North Rim offers some of the most amazing views of the Badlands and is a prime location to see all of your favorite landmarks, including Owl Mountain, Fossil Exhibit, and Boxelder Peak. The North Rim Observation Deck is equipped with an elevator to transport you up the steep cliffs of the Badlands Wall.

17. White River Valley

The White River Valley of Badlands National Park is a place where wildlife and photographers alike congregate. With stunning views, photogenic landscapes, and opportunities for challenging hikes, this is a landscape that never fails to impress. White River Valley is home to a variety of wildlife, including bison and pronghorn antelope. Its diverse landscape offers visitors a wide range of scenic views that can be captured on film.

18. Cliff Shelf Nature Trailhead

At Cliff Shelf Nature Trailhead, you have the best vantage point to photograph the badlands, a wide view of an undulating sea of grassy hills, and views of Pine Ridge, one of the highest points in the park. You aren’t expecting a blockbuster experience, but what you’ll get is something much better because this is Badlands National Park and you’re not going to see many people here.

19. Notch Trail Ladder

Take in the beauty of Badlands National Park on this easy one-mile hike. As you make your way up the Notch Trail, you’ll want to pause to take in the view from the peaks of both sides of the trail fed by this formation, which is a great place to get photos and get an idea of what it’s like to hike through these lands and experience their unique beauty.

20. Castle Trail Dawn 

If you’re visiting Badlands National Park this summer, Castle Trail will be one of the best spots for you to get some great landscape shots. The hike is relatively short, and none too difficult. There are plenty of 360-degree vantage points along the way to position yourself so that you can capture all the beauty in front of you. 

The Castle Trail is an easy hike that follows the Dirty Face staircases to the top of the highest ridge in Badlands National Park. From this vantage point, you’ll see above the ridgeline and can spot stunning views of sunrises and sunsets as well as wildlife such as bison and pronghorn antelope!

THESE ARE BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK BEST PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTS

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