What are facts about Badlands National park?

Answer 1

When Badlands National Monument was established by presidential proclamation in 1929, it was done "to preserve the scenic and scientific values of a portion of the White River Badland and to make them accessible for the public enjoyment and inspiration." It became a national park due to 1978 legislation.

Answer 2

Badlands National Park is located in southwestern South Dakota.

The park covers 244,000 acres.

The geologic deposits contain one of the world's richest fossil beds.

Early motorists along the Badlands Loop Road traveled through tunnels carved into the formations.

You can see bighorn sheep, coyotes, black-footed ferret, swift fox, bison, and mule deer in the park.

The Oglala-Lakota Tribe manages the Badlands South Unit.

The Badlands are called Mako Sica by the Oglala.

There are approximately one million visitors each year from all over the world.

Badlands National Park and the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands are one of the most successful reintroduction sites for the black-footed ferret, one of the world's rarest mammals.

The Ben Reifel Visitor Center was named after Ben Reifel, the first congressman from the Sioux Nation, who served 5 terms. Afterwards, he served as consultant and Special Assistant for Indian Programs to the Director of the National Park Service. Badlands was his favorite national park.