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Badlands Wilderness Area Review

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Badlands Wilderness Area

Address: 25 mi northwest of Ben Reifel Visitor Center, Wind Cave National Park, SD | Map It

Category: Nature Preserves
Location: Wind Cave National Park

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Fodor's Review:

Covering about 25% of the park, this 100-square-mi area is part of the United States' largest prairie wilderness. About two-thirds of the Sage Creek region is mixed-grass prairie, making it the ideal grazing grounds for bison, pronghorn, and many of the park's other native animals. The Grassy Tables Overlook 2 mi northwest on Sage Creek Rim Road and the Pinnacles Overlook 1 mi south of the Pinnacles entrance are the best places to get an overview of the wilderness area. Feel free to park beside the road and hike your own route into the untamed, unmarked prairie—just remember that all water in this region is unfit for drinking.

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