Postcards: The Badlands

On a recent trip way out West, I was surprised to learn that Badlands National Park was very much just rocks. Lots, and Lots (and Lots…) of rocks. Don’t get me wrong. It's not that I didn’t enjoy it; I’m only saying I was expecting something slightly less dusty and, well, rocky. I like a good rock as much as the next girl, but I love the bright red rocks of the desert, not so much the sandy tan stones of the Midwest.

Badlands National Park is located in Interior South Dakota, and takes up over 240,000 acres. History (and the National Park Service) tells us that the term “Badlands” comes from the Lakota people who lived in the area prior to it being installed as a national park. For many years, the Lakota referred to the area as mako sica which translates to “Bad lands.”  The rough landscape makes it difficult to traverse, as well as inhabit, so the name is fitting.

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Today, however the park is quite easy to travel. Thankfully, the National Park Service is a master at protecting these natural spaces, while providing ways for large numbers of people to enjoy them. In our case, we entered at sunset on a very cloudy day, so the beauty of the rocks may not have been on full display. There were viewing platforms, as well as boardwalks that offered a leisurely walk. There were also MANY signs highlighting the presence of rattlesnakes in the area, which may have hindered my enjoyment a bit. I don’t know much about snakes, but I do know that dusk is prime feeding time…

The following day we “hiked”. While it was a bit more of a workout than the boardwalks, I really enjoyed it. Having the chance to see the formations from different angles, gave me a different perspective on the landscape. Also, it was a beautiful sunny day, so I was finally able to witness the different colors and gradations of the rocks, which made them so much prettier. After the hike, we drove around the park stopping here and there at overlooks, which were also beautiful – but also, full of rocks.

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Though the overabundance of stone wasn’t exactly my thing, the Badlands provides one of the best lodging experiences I’ve ever had. Interior, South Dakota, for all its wide-open space, has a population of roughly 92 people – as the road sign entering the city can attest. As you would imagine, in a town that small, there aren’t many hotels. But what there is, is the Circle View Guest Ranch, and it's the best!

The Circle View sits on a working cattle ranch and is owned and operated by the loveliest family, and their critters (chickens, peacocks, dogs, and I’m sure there were more we missed). The rooms were comfortable and cozy, and the views were jaw-dropping. My favorite though was breakfast. We were treated to homemade biscuits, sausage & gravy, freshly laid scrambled eggs with yolks so bright they were almost orange, homemade cranberry butter, coffee, juices, and teas; all in a delightful dining room that overlooked the property. While sunrise that morning at 4:30 offered us nothing, the breakfast a few hours later surely made up for it.

Even though Badlands National Park isn’t high up on my list of favorite natural spaces in the US, the opportunity to stay a few more nights at the fabulous Circle View Guest Ranch may persuade me to travel that way again soon.