Safety

The ever-changing weather conditions at Badlands National Park requires proper preparation before entering wilderness areas. Let your family and friends know where you're departing from, and when you'll return. Cellphone access is hard to come by when you're inside the park, as well. Ankle fractures and other injuries sustained while hiking are the most common injuries in Badlands. Wear sturdy boots while hiking, and watch your footing due to burrowing animals around the park. To prevent dehydration, heat exhaustion, and sunstroke in warmer weather, drink a gallon of water daily, use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, and protect your skin with long sleeves, pants, and a wide-brimmed hat. Stay at least 100 feet away from any animals you encounter in the park, especially bison, bighorn sheep, and rattlesnakes. Avoid sticking your hands or other body parts in cracks and crevasses that can be home to snakes and biting spiders, including poisonous black widows and brown recluses. In the wide-open spaces of the Badlands, lightning is a particular threat. If a storm is approaching, seek shelter but avoid trees, high places, and dry washes: the latter may seem like a safe haven from lightning, but flash floods can pose a drowning threat. Finally, obey posted speed limits on park roads, especially since gravel roads can be more slippery than paved ones.