The South Dakota Badlands are an untamed region of extreme landscape with sheer cliffs and little vegetation. While the name may put some folks off the idea of visiting the Badlands, the fact is the unusual and uncommon beauty and challenging terrain also draw many outdoor enthusiasts.Recognizable by high cliffs, the Badlands National Park is roughly an hour’s drive from Rapid City, South Dakota, making it easily accessible for a long day trip or a weekend adventure. The Badlands were initially shared by over 22 indigenous tribes who considered the land sacred, if unforgiving. The Lakota dubbed the area Makȟóšiča, which literally means “bad lands”.