Exploring South Dakota is an amazing way to spend a week or even an entire month.  While there are hundreds of great attractions, nothing quite comes close to the sheer beauty or the immensity of history that Badlands National Park provides.  A short walk into the park can take you back in time hundreds of thousands of years, without digging, or a time machine.

The Badlands are formed from a massive plateau eroding away through the forces of nature.  Through this erosion, an enormous span of time and natural history is displayed.  It shows as multicolored strata, or bands, around the rock formations, hills, valleys and gullies.  Each layer is a different section of the historical record. Numerous fossils are found throughout the site.  In fact, the area is the richest source of Oligocene epoch fossils in the world.  Fossil hunters and scientists from around the world come to this park to hunt and learn from the amazing earth.

Just some of the fossils found show the presence of North American rhinoceros and North American horses (far before the Spaniards brought their horses).  This treasure trove can be explored by car or truck, but it is far better on foot.