Badlands

After 1880 town we continued on across the prairie toward Badlands National Park. Badlands is adjacent to the Buffalo Gap National Grassland. It's incredible just how vast, flat, and desolate the land is.

And yet as you walk through the grass there is so much noise and activity between all the bugs and birds, prairie dogs, and rattlesnakes which we thankfully did not see. 

Looking out over the grassland is amazing, turning around and seeing the first glimpse of the badlands is shocking. 

Driving through the park on our way to our campsite was unbelievable. It seems impossible that these landforms exist and are naturally occurring. Imagine native Americans and explorers who traversed the prairie only to be met with this:

We set up camp, had some dinner, and hit the hay early after being up for nearly 24 hours. 

The next morning we woke up at 5, packed up the car, and set off for a hike before getting on the road. I wish that photographs could capture the view and feeling of this place. It was one of the most bizarre and beautiful places I've ever seen. 

Next stop: Yellowstone!