South Dakota Badlands

We left Sioux Falls on Sunday after being there a week. We're heading west towards Rapid City for a few days before we head to Gillette, WY, for the Tiffin Rally.  We decide to stay at the Circle 10 Campground which is just 3 miles north of the entrance to the park. It is a good place to be parked as we can drive the car into the park.

Here's a big shout out to our National Park system, which is enjoying its 100th birthday this summer. When we were in Acadia National Park in Maine, I got a senior pass for $10. That has to be one of the best bargains there is (many RV'ers will relate)! This is the second time we've used the pass for entrance to a park.

We were stunned by the beauty of the Badlands. That changes with the amount of sunlight, clouds, rain and other weather conditions. There was a ranger program on Sunday night so we went and learned about the park, animals in it, types of birds here, and many more facts. There were also telescopes with a resident "astronomer" to show us the moon (we could see the craters) and the moons around Jupiter.

Monday morning we got up early to walk the Cliff Shelf Trail and after that to go on the Geology Walk with Ranger Pam.  I'm going to let a few pictures here do the talking....

This is one sign I do not like to see! Fortunately, we didn't see any rattlesnakes.

Andy on the Cliff Shelf Trail stairway.

This was the end of the trail on the Geology walk. Ranger said to obey the sign and there is a big drop off after it. 

One word - Beautiful!