With just 48 hours to spend in Rapid City, I had already scheduled a visit to Mt. Rushmore, a drive on the Needles Highway, a Buffalo Jeep Safari at Custer State Park, and a pit stop to eat the famous Wall Drug donuts. From my hotel the first night, I spontaneously Googled “things to do” and found that Badlands National Park was just an hour away. I knew that it was highly unlikely that I’d be visiting South Dakota again, so I decided to squeeze it in since it’s one of the best Black Hills tourist attractions.
The day started out unseasonably cold, even for early November, so I stopped at a local department store and picked up a warm purple jacket and matching gloves. After an hour of holding my rented Subaru Outback steady as I drove through high winds complete with tumbleweeds blowing across my windshield, I arrived at the Badlands.
Did I say it was windy? Perhaps gale force would better describe it. When I opened the door to get out of the car, the wind nearly blew the door off the hinge. Strong enough to knock me over, I was glad for the guard rails as I walked to the end of the first lookout point.
I’m all for adventure, but plunging headlong into an abyss is a bit much. Even for me.
The wind took my breath away, but not as much as the stunning panorama that is the Badlands. Rocky formations with striations of multi-colored hues all vying for my attention, everywhere I looked. I hadn’t expected it to be this beautiful.
Juxtaposed against a sky of deep periwinkle blue, the otherworldly-looking limestone formations paid no attention to the gusty winds that were threatening to bring me to my knees. It was not possible to set up my tripod; it was difficult enough just to hang on to my Nikon, and I made sure the strap was securely around my neck and left arm.
The entire park was deserted, so when I happened upon another lonely couple, I wasn’t shy about asking them to take a photo with me in it. I’d already tried multiple attempts at “selfies,” all of which should have been relegated to the “outtakes” file. Except I like them – they’re funny and tell a story without words.
I made my way around the “loop” for around three hours, snapping one mesmerizing shot after another, laughing every time I had to get back into my car because the wind made it very clear I would need to use some elbow grease to open the door.
The blustery weather added an unexpected element to the excitement and splendor of the Badlands. Not that it needed it. On equal footing with sights like the Grand Canyon and Sedona, I loved every blown-away minute, and I just might make a return visit.
In the summertime.
Badlands: Best Black Hills Tourist Attractions originally published in WaveJourney, November 11, 2013
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About the Author
Patti Morrow
is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of the “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.
She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the next few months.
Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.
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