For the best overview of the park, drive the Badlands Loop Road. The 39-mile road is the only paved road in the park. Along the way, there are a dozen overlooks where you can pull off and take in the scenery. You’ll drive along “the Wall”, a split in the grasslands separating the upper and lower prairies. The road is twisting, and you’ll find some steep passes and speed limit changes. Along the way you’re likely to see bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs and other park wildlife. If you don’t stop, you can get through in a couple of hours, but you should count on a half day for the stops and picture taking.

The Notch Trail goes through a canyon and then up a log ladder before revealing a scenic view of the White River Valley. At only a mile and a half, it’s accessible to most people, although there is some mild elevation change and the ladder. It’s out and back, so you’ll turn around to return. You’ll also want to go early in the day or on weekdays as the trail can be crowded at times. To reach it, go to the Door and Window parking area. The trail begins on the south end.

The color and appearance of the Badlands will change depending on the time of day and amount of sunlight. On a clear evening, you won’t want to miss the sunset. The grayish hills will transform into a beautiful mix of yellows, reds and pinks. You can go to any number of observation points, but one of the best is the Pinnacles Overlook. It may get crowded depending on the day, but you’ll be able to get great pictures. If it’s closer, you can also check out the Conata Basin Overlook.