Badlands Loop Scenic Byway

In addition to carved steep canyons and high cliffs, Badlands National Park is also home to the largest and most complete example of mixed-grass prairie preserved by the National Park Service. As the byway follows the natural contours of the Badlands escarpment, it also weaves in and out of the native grasslands complete with hundreds of species of plants and animals.

Authorized by Congress in 1929, Badlands National Monument was established to preserve the scenery, to protect the fossils and wildlife, and to conserve the mixed-grass prairie. Today, Badlands Loop Scenic Byway comprises 31.5 miles of roadway and along it are fourteen designated overlooks allowing visitors to stop and appreciate the view.