Sunrise at Big Badlands Overlook - Badlands National Park

After overnight thunderstorms lingered in the area, we weren't really sure what to expect for sunrise at Big Badlands Overlook in Badlands National Park. The clouds filtered out most of the red light, leaving us in a bluish twilight for about 30 minutes.

To reach the Big Badlands Overlook from Wall, South Dakota, head east on I-90 for 20 miles to exit 131. After exiting the interstate highway, turn south onto South Dakota route 240. Drive 3.7 miles on SD-240, entering the park and passing the entrance station, before arriving at the overlook parking area on the left. A walkway with a composite surface leads to the actual overlook. Note that the walkway is extremely slippery when wet. We visited in August 2017.

Big Badlands

A closer view

Looking southwest at SD-240

More of the Badlands

Sunrise?

Storm clouds

A bit more light on the Badlands

Big Badlands again

Clouds darkening the landscape

Rain in the distance

Looking northeast

Deep ravines are revealed in the light

Clouds above the Castle

Upper Prairie and Badlands

Steep edges and deep ravines

Storm clouds begin to dissipate

Rain revitalized the colors of the badlands

A photographer sets up a daylight shot

An entrance fee of $20 admits all the passengers of a single vehicle for seven consecutive days to Badlands National Park. A fee of $10 applies to motorcyclists. Other entrance fee options include a Badlands National Park Annual Pass for $40, an Every Kid in a Park 4th Grade Pass for free, and a variety of America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes providing access to most national park, national forest, and BLM fee areas

• Annual Pass for $80
• Military Pass for free
• Lifetime Senior Pass for $80 or $20 annually for those age 62 and older
• Access Pass for free for visitors with a permanent disability

The park website is https://www.nps.gov/badl.