Wildlife
At Badlands National Park you are guaranteed to see wildlife. Wether you see Prairie Dogs, Bighorn Sheep, Bison, or all three, you will see some cool creatures. Every time I’ve been I have seen Bison! It doesn’t matter the season, you’re bound to see some hardy and exciting animals out in the open or even crossing the street. So bring your binoculars and your zoom lenses. If you’re truly lucky, you’ll wake up at Sage Creek Campground with a Bison roaming through your campsite like I was.
Today, Bison roam the Badlands in both massive herds and sometimes as solitary creatures. I have seen both and it’s majestically beautiful every time. Sometimes, you may have to even patiently wade your vehicle through a herd that is meandering across the road. They love to congregate around Sage Creek Road, I’ve found. Just make sure to keep your distance, give them space, and be smart. Don’t become another gored statistic.
Also in the park are quite a few bighorn sheep which are fun to watch as they scale the side of the slippery eroded badlands or meander across the road.
There are also plenty of prairie dogs which love to raid your foodstuffs if you’re camping at the Sage Creek Campground, so watch out for them. It’s fun to watch their little colony there as they fight and run around and make their various calls while watching out for predators.
Coyotes, deer, and all the other little forest and prairie critters also run around the park. Including the Black-footed ferret which was reintroduced into the park in 1994. They’ve since flourished. One of their favorite foods? Prairie Dogs. So as the years march on, I expect the Prairie Dog numbers to lessen.
