We’re Off! Arizona - Colorado - South Dakota - Colorado - Utah and Back.

[AzScorpion]

This lookout was one of my favorites, mostly because of the colors.

It's called Yellow Mounds Overlook:
One of the most unique features of Badlands National Park are its yellow mounds. At the Yellow Mounds Overlook you’ll get to see the rolling mounds of paleosols which means fossil soil. The layers weathered soil changed coloto create these yellow hills.

r

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[AzScorpion]

If you come in from the west entrance by Wall Drug this will be the first overlook.

Pinnacles Overlook:

You cannot visit Badlands National Park without stopping at the Pinnacles Overlook. This is the most popular overlook in the park and with good reason! With stunning views over the Sage Creek Area, it allows visitors to see the layers of rock formations formed over the centuries. At just .2 miles (.32 km) this is popular not only because of the extraordinary view, but for how easy it is. A set of wooden steps leads out to the overlook.


Bob, @Bob902 walk all the way over to the left side and you’ll get some great pictures there. If you're brave enough you can follow the path in the last picture to the point. I made it 3/4 of the way and it got really narrow and angled inwards and I figured I’d better not press my luck. There’s already one wounded now we don’t need another one. lol

 

[AzScorpion]

Of course you can’t go to Badlands without stopping at the famous Wall Drug Store. It’s a huge tourist trap and just like South Of The Border you’ll start seeing signs for it when you’re an hour away.

 

[AzScorpion]

Yeah I really like the Badlands but most observation points are up, looking down. I guess it’s for more the dramatic effect and the largeness of it’s expanse.

I keep wondering the what if I was down there and then what would I see at the next turn.

Would I be lost? Oh the stories are grand as well as the imagination.. You are are spot on about a big lunch and probably should include a few snacks as well, extra water is a must and you probably felt at home with the heat.

Andy, this was one reason we really loved Bryce Canyon. They have a flat walking trail above but also trails where you can go down to the base. This way you can see and get the feel of the size of them and it also gives you such a different view and prospective from upper to lower.

The heat was nothing for us (it was only 82 by the time we left) but the humidity was 65%. As much as I'm not fond of 110* I'll take that with 10% humidity any day. This is really going to make it tough deciding on where to eventually move to. I can deal with a place that has winters and long as they're somewhat milder than the N'east. But the swampy humid summers I just can't do. Retired or not you're still wet and nasty as soon as you walk out the door. It's really going to limit us as to where to look but I know I'm going to have to compromises one way or another.

The view from above Bryce is amazing.

But when you're down below you can now really grasp the size of these. They also have horseback rides into the base which would be fun to take.

 

[Bob902]

If you come in from the west entrance by Wall Drug this will be the first overlook.

Pinnacles Overlook:

You cannot visit Badlands National Park without stopping at the Pinnacles Overlook. This is the most popular overlook in the park and with good reason! With stunning views over the Sage Creek Area, it allows visitors to see the layers of rock formations formed over the centuries. At just .2 miles (.32 km) this is popular not only because of the extraordinary view, but for how easy it is. A set of wooden steps leads out to the overlook.


Bob, @Bob902 walk all the way over to the left side and you’ll get some great pictures there. If you're brave enough you can follow the path in the last picture to the point. I made it 3/4 of the way and it got really narrow and angled inwards and I figured I’d better not press my luck. There’s already one wounded now we don’t need another one. lol

Awesome. Can’t wait to check it out!

 

[AzScorpion]

Awesome. Can’t wait to check it out!

Bob, I don't remember if you already said this but where are you staying and for how long? If you're going to Mt Rushmore too there's a really good pizza place right in Keystone at the base of it. It's called Cruizzers and it's at the very end across from the 1880 train. You go up the stairs to the second floor and you can eat either inside or out which is where we ate. The service and food was really great and it's a nice place to chill out on the balcony after a long day.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/cruizzers-keystone

 

[Bob902]

Bob, I don't remember if you already said this but where are you staying and for how long? If you're going to Mt Rushmore too there's a really good pizza place right in Keystone at the base of it. It's called Cruizzers and it's at the very end across from the 1880 train. You go up the stairs to the second floor and you can eat either inside or out which is where we ate. The service and food was really great and it's a nice place to chill out on the balcony after a long day.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/cruizzers-keystone

We are staying in rapid city for two nights and then over in Hulett, WY for two nights so we can hike devils tower. Will definitely mention the pizza place.

 

[RedlandRanger]

This lookout was one of my favorites, mostly because of the colors.

It's called Yellow Mounds Overlook:
One of the most unique features of Badlands National Park are its yellow mounds. At the Yellow Mounds Overlook you’ll get to see the rolling mounds of paleosols which means fossil soil. The layers weathered soil changed coloto create these yellow hills.

r

That kind of looks like the painted hills in Oregon (which is literally in the middle of nowhere):

Beautiful pictures!

 

[GregM]

Bob, I don't remember if you already said this but where are you staying and for how long? If you're going to Mt Rushmore too there's a really good pizza place right in Keystone at the base of it. It's called Cruizzers and it's at the very end across from the 1880 train. You go up the stairs to the second floor and you can eat either inside or out which is where we ate. The service and food was really great and it's a nice place to chill out on the balcony after a long day.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/cruizzers-keystone

Well hells bells even the pizza is more visible than your Ass

 

[MXGOLF]

Awesome Pictures Dave!!!!!! I need to do a trip like yours. It's on my bucket list for sure. Painted Hills is great but like Rob said the middle of nowhere.

 

[wanted33]

Now the whole reason we made this trip was to see Mt Rushmore. Coming to the end of Custer State Park the last tunnel you go through gives you your first view of it. I was glad there was very little traffic through there today as we had time to stop in the middle of it and have an unobstructed view. I'm still at a loss for words.

These we got close up walking the Presidential trail.

Damn son, you keep on I'm gonna wind up with just one kidney. 'Cause I'm gonna have to sell one to buy the gas to get back out that way again.

Happy belated Birthday to Annie....................

 

[wanted33]

Dave, I presume you'll be going into the Badlands through the west entrance. When you go thru and come out the east entrance close to I-90 there's a Minuteman Silo you can look at. Fake missile of course. LMAO Interesting to see though!

Like driving to see the worlds biggest ball of twine we took a side trip to see the Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missle Silo (decommissioned) just north of Coopertown, ND (just west of Fargo). Now that was interesting. All underground.

 

[wanted33]

Of course you can’t go to Badlands without stopping at the famous Wall Drug Store. It’s a huge tourist trap and just like South Of The Border you’ll start seeing signs for it when you’re an hour away.

But they have some dang good donuts. I'm an old cop, I would know..........................

 

[BS67]

I'd love to see that in Fargo! They have a mock-up version of that I believe just west of the east entrance to the Badlands......north side of I-90. Have always wanted to stop there and kick myself every time I don't!

 

[AzScorpion]

But they have some dang good donuts. I'm an old cop, I would know..........................

lol We saw those huge donuts in the case at the restaurant inside Wall Drug. That's way to much sugar for me now but they sure did look good!

Jim, I've seen the pictures of you and how much you love donuts. ?

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