Badlands Wilderness, US Wilderness Area in Pennington County, South Dakota.
The Badlands Wilderness spans across rugged terrain with deep canyons, exposed rock formations, and intricate networks of hiking trails through prairie landscapes.
The United States Congress designated this section of Badlands National Park as an official Wilderness Area in 1976, protecting 64,144 acres of natural landscape.
Native American tribes utilized these lands for hunting and gathering, with the Lakota people naming the region 'mako sica' due to its challenging terrain.
Visitors need to carry sufficient water supplies and navigation tools while exploring the wilderness, as trail markers are limited throughout the protected area.
The area contains extensive fossil beds where paleontologists have discovered numerous prehistoric specimens preserved within the layered rock formations.
Location: Pennington County
Inception: 1976
GPS coordinates: 43.83560,-102.35100
Latest update: April 28, 2025 21:07
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