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Wildlife Biologist’s Field Expedition: The Badlands Uncovered

29 Reviews 4.93 out of 5 stars Based on 29 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | Rapid City, USA
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 32 (0) days in advance.

6 to 7 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

My XO Adventures believes The Badlands can be a wonderful experience for your senses, and there are a lot of stories to be told about the park. It's also abundant with wildlife, but you've got to know where to go.

We have walked, crawled, climbed, and taken the back roads through the park to find places we know you'll love. This is not a strenuous journey and is suited for all ages. We encourage you to check out our Google Reviews for My XO Adventures online to see what kind of experience you'll enjoy by coming along with us.

We take care of the details and may even have some surprises for you along the way. Every day is different, and we love what we do. We explore the Badlands, not just tour them. Learn about the history, wildlife, fossils, geological shapes, and sacred places. Commonly missed and extraordinary places are where we go. We do what we want, when we want, where we want!

What's Included

  • Snacks
  • Carbonated beverages Soda/Pop
  • Bottled water
  • Gratuities
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

We'll pick you up in a GMC Yukon XL, Tahoe, or Ford Transit Van with the My XO Adventures Logo on the side.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability.
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Scenic

A stop at the old Ghost Town of Scenic before visiting Sheep Mountain Table. Spend some time in the old jail or peek in the windows of yesterday.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Buffalo Gap National Grassland

The Grasslands are not only beautiful, but full of beautiful stones that tumbled down from the Black Hills. We'll stop to see the agate fields and take some home. It's ok, this location is rock hound friendly and legal to search for and take a stone or two.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Badlands National Park

Enjoy your wildly tantalizing and educational experience while you're taken through one of the most unique National Parks in the US! A massive area of constant change, they named it the Badlands for a good reason. Not to worry, as our ride takes us safely through this otherworldly land, stopping along the way to see beautiful formations, wildlife, mineral deposits, and open sky. You'll love your time, and learn what most miss on this magical tour.We drive the Badlands Loop, including the visitors center with stops all along the way.
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3 hours Admission Ticket Included

Ben Reifel Visitor Center

A stop at the Visitors Center gives you time to take a break, ask questions from the park staff and pick up a souvenir.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Homestead Overlook

From this elevated viewpoint, behold the undulating terrain of the Badlands, where eroded buttes and deep canyons tell stories of perseverance and determination. Imagine the homesteaders who, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, staked their claims and built lives amidst the harsh climate and stark beauty of this unique region.At My XO Adventures, we invite you to step into the footsteps of these pioneers, to witness the legacy they left behind in the form of weathered cabins, abandoned homesteads, and the remnants of hard-won agricultural efforts. Feel the echoes of history as you gaze out over the same expansive horizon that once inspired dreams of a new life in the American West.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Ancient Hunters Overlook

From this elevated perch, soak in the panoramic views of the Badlands, where eroded cliffs and deep gullies reveal layers of sedimentary rock formed over millions of years. Imagine the sight of early inhabitants, the Paleo-Indians, who hunted mammoths and other prehistoric creatures in these very valleys and plains.At My XO Adventures, we bring this ancient history to life, offering you more than just a view — an immersive journey into the past. Feel the whispers of the wind as it carries tales of nomadic tribes and early explorers who traversed these rugged terrains in search of sustenance and shelter.Stand where ancient hunters once stood and marvel at the resilience of nature and the enduring legacy of those who came before us. Below, the landscape unfolds in a mosaic of colors and textures, home to a diverse array of wildlife and plant species that have adapted to thrive in this harsh yet beautiful environment.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Pinnacles Overlook

Perched high above the labyrinthine canyons and spires that define this iconic landscape, Pinnacles Overlook offers a panoramic spectacle that will leave you in awe.From this vantage point, marvel at the towering formations sculpted over millions of years by the forces of wind and water. The Badlands reveal their rugged beauty in layers of striped sedimentary rock, painted in hues of red, yellow, and white, each layer a testament to the passage of time and the artistry of nature.At My XO Adventures, we invite you to witness the drama of geological history unfolding before your eyes. Feel the ancient energy of the Earth as you stand amidst these towering pinnacles, their shapes and shadows shifting with the movement of the sun. Below, the landscape stretches out in a patchwork of prairie and rock, where bison roam and prairie dogs play.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Sage Creek Wilderness Area

Welcome to Sage Creek Basin Overlook, where the rugged beauty of Badlands National Park unfolds before your eyes like a masterpiece of nature's own creation. As you stand at this breathtaking vantage point, perched on the edge of the world, prepare to be captivated by the sheer drama and timeless allure of the American West.Gaze out over a landscape that stretches as far as the eye can see, where jagged rock formations painted in hues of pink, orange, and ivory rise from the earth like ancient sentinels. Below, the rugged terrain gives way to rolling prairies and the winding course of the meandering Sage Creek.At My XO Adventures, we bring you to the heart of this natural wonder, offering you not just a glimpse, but an immersive experience. Feel the wind whispering through the grasslands, listen to the calls of native wildlife echoing across the basin, and witness the ever-changing play of light and shadow as the sun traverses the vast South Dakota sky.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Wall Drug

One of the greatest success stories you'll ever hear. Wall Drug is known around the world for its free water and unmistakable billboards. This roadside curiosity has been around for almost 100 years, and its still going strong. Let's enjoy lunch and peruse what started as a modest drug store in a dirt poor town into a mammoth operation today.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Included

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Guests must be able to transfer in and out of the vehicle under their own power.
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Wildlife Biologist’s Field Expedition: The Badlands Uncovered?

A: This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-166604P16

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.93
29 reviews

Average 4.93 out of 5 stars based on 29 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
27
4 stars
2
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 32 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Snacks
  • Carbonated beveragesSoda/Pop
  • Bottled water
  • Private transportation
  • Binoculars
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Guests must be able to transfer in and out of the vehicle under their own power.
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Report Product Issue

Activity name