48 hours in the Badlands? That’s just enough time to discover why it’s one of South Dakota’s most unforgettable landscapes. Here’s exactly how we’d spend a weekend here... Day 1: - Start early with sunrise at Door Trail or Notch Trail, while the landscape is at its quietest. - Cruise the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway, keeping an eye out for bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs along the way. - Stop in walldrug for lunch (it is practically a rite of passage). - Spend the afternoon pulling over at the park’s incredible overlooks before catching sunset at Pinnacles Overlook. - Stick around after dark. badlandsnps is an International Dark Sky Park, making it one of the best places in the US for stargazing. Day 2: - Take an unforgettable flight at sunrise with flybadlands. - Hike Castle Trail, one of the park’s most rewarding routes, or opt for the shorter Fossil Exhibit Trail if you’re after an easier walk. - Stop at Big Badlands Overlook for one last view before continuing your South Dak...