Badlands National Park: Into The Land Of Sunrise, Sunset, And Stars | Stargazing At Badlands National Park

Sep 30, 2024

Last Updated on: Nov 18, 2024

Travel Blog

Guest speakers from Dark Ranger Telescope and NASA attended the “Astrofest Festival” at Badlands National Park this year (July 5 to 7, 2024). In this celebration of the night sky and astronomy, the guest speakers discussed various aspects of space. The 2024 fest included the following activities.

  • Scale model of the solar system in the afternoon
  • An early evening solar viewing program
  • Guest speaker session
These are objects that have been important to our culture since we could probably talk. So, we think it’s important to maintain that connection and bring back that connection to these things that used to be so important to us for thousands of years.
Ed Welsh, the education specialist at Badlands National Park 

The yearly Astrofest Festival at the park indeed has a role in making the park a favorite for star gazing and exploring the night sky.

Also, the remote location of the park and minimal light pollution here make it a wonderful site in South Dakota for watching the celestial bodies in action. 

Further, this park is a wonderful place to soak in the beauty of sunrise and sunset, making it the land of light and stones!

Night Sky Viewings/ Stargazing At Badlands National Park

Everyone talks about the geology, wildlife, and fossils of Badlands National Park. However, if you are an introvert and always seek an immersive experience like me, night sky viewing will be your favorite activity at the park. 

In fact, I feel that watching the night sky is the chef’s kiss in the park tour. The stargazing activity takes place near the park’s Cedar Pass area, which is close to the visitor center. 

Further, the rangers inform you about the celestial bodies you will see. You just need to keep your eyes glued to the telescope to explore celestial bodies, such as the Milky Way, star clusters, planets, satellites, and nebulae. 

The table below gives a quick excerpt of the stargazing and night sky viewing experience at Badlands National Park. 

Stargazing And Night Sky Viewings At Badlands National Park 
LocationCedar Pass Amphitheater
SpecialtyMore than 7500 stars are exposed to each visitor. They especially enjoy the clarity of the Milky Way. 
Add-onsFly-overs by the International Space Station and many satellites
Telescopes Provided By Celestron and Badlands Natural History Association
Best Season for StargazingSpring, Summer, and Fall

In summer, the Night Sky Viewing Program starts after the evening star gazing session every day. The park rangers conduct this program. Further, its timing keeps changing based on the sunset hours. 

Best Places For Stargazing At Badlands National Park 

Badlands National Park has earned a name in astrotourism thanks to its pristine nature. With fewer pull-outs and roads, the north unit of the park especially has many amazing stargazing destinations. Let’s explore them!

The Space Tourism Guide features the Badlands National Park and the Badlands National Park Observatory as some of the best places for stargazing in South Dakota. 
Badlands Observatory became accessible to visitors in May 2021. It is a privately owned facility in the Badlands National Park. Also, it works for astronomical education and research. 
  1. Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater has a Night Sky Viewing event every day. This experience is about gathering more information by stargazing in a structured setup. 

You must visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center every day to learn about the program.    

  1. Badlands Loop Road

Like many other parts of the Badlands National Park, the Badlands Loop Road also allows you to find your spot for stargazing. However, two of the best spots along the loop are:

  • Burns Basin Overlook
  • Yellow Munds Overlook

These locations are especially great for taking photographs and indulging in tranquility. 

  1. Sage Creek Rim Road

The Sage Creek Rim Road is one of the least crowded spaces in the park. You will also get to see very few cars passing through the area. 

The Sage Creek Basin Overlook and Hay Butte Overlook are some of the best spots for stargazing on Sage Creek Rim Road. However, as very few people visit this area, you can find a stargazing spot of your own. 

  1. Big Badlands Overlook
Big Badlands Overlook

Big Badlands Overlook may appear last on my list of places to stargaze in Badlands National Park. However, it is the first overlook for someone accessing the park from the Northeast Entrance or the Sioux Falls. 

Take a short walk and reach the best stargazing point in the Big Badlands Overlook. From here, enjoy a 360-degree view. 

  1. The Backcountry 

The open backcountry of the Badlands National Park is a wonderland for camping and stargazing. So, just set your camp and enjoy stargazing for the entire night. 

Watching Sunrise And Sunset At Badlands National Park

Sunrise And Sunset At Badlands National Park

The magic hours of Sunrise and Sunset paint the Badlands National Park with the most vibrant shade of red. The table below shows the best points for watching the sunrise and sunset and the accessibility points.

ActivityBest Spots In The ParkAccessibility Points with Boardwalks and for Visitors with Wheelchairs 
SunriseDoor TrailNorbeck Pass AreaDillon Pass AreaBig Badlands OverlookPanorama PointCastle Trail WestBig Badlands OverlookDoor Trail Panorama Point
SunsetPinnacles OverlookCastle Trail EastNorbeck Pass AreaBigfoot Pass Picnic AreaConata Basin OverlookPinnacles Overlook Conata Basin OverlookBigfoot Pass Picnic Area 

As the Sun rises, its warm golden and red lights spread over the pinnacles that face the east. Further, the drama of light and shadow makes every frame mesmerizing. So, many photographers flock to Badlands National Park’s sunrise and sunset points for the best captures. 

Stargazing At Badlands National Park: Plan Your Trip Well 

There are two easy ways to reach the remoteness of the Badlands National Park. 

  1. Reach the Rapid City Regional Airport and ride for an hour to Badlands National Park. 
  1. Further, you can reach the Sioux Falls Regional Airport and take a road trip to Badlands National Park. This trip through South Dakota will take you around 4 hours.

If you want to have the best stargazing experience at Badlands, you need to stay there overnight. You can reserve a room at the Cedar Pass Lodge in advance or stay at the Sage Creek Campground or Cedar Pass Campground. 

However, if you are an adventurous soul and want the most immersive experience, put a camp in the backcountry or the north and south units of the park. Don’t forget to collect your permit for backcountry camping in the Badlands National Park. 

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Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!

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BY  Mashum Dec 29, 2021

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READ MORE Legendary Locations

World’s Legendary Locations That Will Mesmerise You

BY  Barsha Dec 22, 2021

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READ MORE Visit Udaipur

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BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 3, 2021

Udaipur is also famous as “Venice of the East” and is located in the western reaches of Rajasthan. It had a history of more than 1000 years. Udaipur is well known for its magnificence and elegance. It is well known for desert safari, palace tours, shopping, celebrations and class functions. The best time to visit Udaipur is in the winter season. The Indian state of Rajasthan receives millions of global tourists every year. Some of the cities, which see the highest number of visits include Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Bikaner, and Ajmer. Udaipur has been famously named as the ‘City of Lakes’, owing to the presence of majestic lakes that are situated around Palaces. If you wish to see Indian royalty at its best, a trip to Udaipur should be right on top of your list. Udaipur is a concoction of the royal luxurious life, as well as the life of commoners. Tourists visiting the city can experience a slice of both in this majestic abode. 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If you want to feel like the Royals, there is no better way to imitate their lifestyle than exploring the mountain ranges of the Aravallis as they used to do hundreds of years ago. Horse riding is an intrinsic part of Rajasthan’s royal culture. Some of the Rajput kings were famous for their horse-riding skills. Most of them had thousands of horses of Arabian descent in their stables. 5. Sound and Light Show: The Sound and Light Show will be held at Kumbhalgarh fort. A show to watch, attend the flamboyant performances depicting the history and rich culture of the kingship of Mewar and Kumbhalgarh Fort. It is one of the amazing things to do in Udaipur. The sound and Light show will take place in the evening, every day. The sound and light show will narrate the history of the fort with the help of music and lights. Rajasthan State Government Tourism Department used to organize this show. The fort continues to be lightened for one hour after the show. This extraordinary sight creates a lasting impression. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q1: What is special in Udaipur? A: Udaipur being the capital of Mewr, Rajasthan is known to be the royal tourist destination.  Travellers with the love of history, culture and architecture can enjoy the place very much. The place is renowned for its massive palaces, ancient forts, beautiful lakes, green gardens, temples and so much more.  Q2: What are the famous foods in Udaipur? A: 1.Pav Bhaji at Pandit. Daal baati ata Manoj Prakash. Vada pav at Shankar. Tea in Kamlesh Tea Stall.     Momos ate Meals on wheels.  Q3: Where should I stay in Udaipur? A: 1.Fateh Prakash Place.     2.The Lalit Laxmi Vilas.      3.The Fern Residency. Hotel Le Roi.  Q4: What seasons are good times to visit Udaipur?  A: The best months are September, October, November, December, February and March. July is the beginning season of monsoon in Udaipur that stays till September. 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