• Badlands National Park - Enter a realm sculpted by time, where jagged buttes, striped spires, and expansive prairies create one of North America’s most striking landscapes. Badlands National Park is a place of untamed beauty and serene power—where ancient earth layers narrate tales from over 75 million years ago, and the skies stretch endlessly above.

Bison wander the grasslands, bighorn sheep climb rocky ledges, and prairie dogs whistle from their underground communities. With every turn of the trail or scenic road, you’ll encounter sweeping vistas, fossil-rich terrain, and moments of awe that linger long after your visit.

This is more than a stop—it’s a journey into the heart of the American prairie. Whether you’re drawn by the wildlife, geology, or the sheer wonder of it all, the Badlands invite you to slow down, look closer, and feel something profound.

• Sage Creek Wilderness Area - Away from the pavement and crowds, the Sage Creek Wilderness Area offers a glimpse into the untamed essence of Badlands National Park. This rugged, roadless expanse is home to some of the park’s most iconic wildlife—including roaming bison, elusive bighorn sheep, pronghorn, coyotes, and soaring raptors.

With no maintained trails, Sage Creek invites visitors to explore on nature’s terms. Rolling prairie grasses give way to eroded formations, where silence is broken only by the wind and the rustle of distant hooves. It’s raw, wild, and deeply peaceful.

This area is ideal for those seeking solitude, wildlife viewing, or a true backcountry experience. Sunsets here feel timeless, casting golden light over a landscape that has changed little in thousands of years.

For travelers craving something off the beaten path, the Sage Creek Wilderness delivers an unforgettable encounter with nature in its purest form.

• Pinnacles Overlook - Pinnacles Overlook is the crown jewel of Badlands National Park’s scenic vistas. Perched above a dramatic expanse of eroded spires, rugged gullies, and layered rock formations, this overlook offers a breathtaking panorama that captures the park’s raw, otherworldly beauty.

It’s one of the best spots for wildlife sightings, especially at dawn and dusk, when bighorn sheep and bison roam the nearby ridgelines and prairie dogs scurry across the grasslands below. Photographers and nature lovers alike are drawn to the way the landscape changes with every passing cloud and shift of sunlight.

Easily accessible yet endlessly awe-inspiring, Pinnacles Overlook invites you to pause, breathe in the vastness, and reflect on the forces of time that shaped this ancient land.

Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, this stop will steal your breath—and give it back filled with wonder.

• Ancient Hunters Overlook - Ancient Hunters Overlook isn’t just scenic—it’s sacred ground that whispers the stories of those who came before. Thousands of years ago, Indigenous peoples used this very spot to track and hunt bison across the open prairies and rugged Badlands terrain. Today, it offers visitors a sweeping view of layered rock formations and grasslands that stretch endlessly toward the horizon.

More than just a viewpoint, this stop invites you to connect with the human history of the land. It’s a quiet, powerful place where you can imagine ancient footsteps moving silently across the soil.

With its wide-open views, deep cultural significance, and chances to spot wildlife in the distance, Ancient Hunters Overlook offers a moment of reflection—on time, survival, and our place in this timeless landscape.

• Yellow Mounds Overlook - Yellow Mounds Overlook is one of Badlands National Park’s most visually striking stops—where vivid golds, purples, and pinks swirl across ancient hills like an artist’s brushstroke. These brilliantly colored formations are more than beautiful—they’re a window into a 75-million-year-old world that once lay beneath an ancient inland sea.

The yellow comes from fossilized soils, transformed over millennia by heat, pressure, and minerals. It’s a place where geology speaks in color, and every curve of the land tells a deeper story.

Easily accessible and endlessly photogenic, Yellow Mounds Overlook is a favorite for travelers seeking the perfect Badlands photo or a peaceful pause on the scenic loop. When the sunlight hits just right, the hills seem to glow from within—an unforgettable sight that defines the surreal magic of the Badlands.

• Bigfoot Pass Overlook - Bigfoot Pass is more than a scenic stretch—it’s a solemn reminder of a powerful and painful chapter in American history. Named after Chief Big Foot (Sitanka), a Minneconjou Lakota leader, this area marks part of the tragic journey that ended at the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890.

As you stand overlooking the rugged expanse, it’s easy to feel the weight of the past carried on the winds that sweep through the canyons and grasslands. The land is quiet here—hauntingly beautiful and rich with memory.

While the views stretch for miles, it’s the emotional landscape that often leaves the deepest impression. For those who seek to understand the Badlands beyond their surface beauty, Bigfoot Pass offers a space for reflection, respect, and remembrance.

It’s a powerful stop—one that adds meaning to the journey and invites visitors to pause not only for the view, but for the voices of history that still echo through the land.

• Homestead Overlook - Homestead Overlook offers a sweeping view of the prairie that once lured settlers with promises of land and new beginnings. From this quiet vantage point, it’s easy to imagine early homesteaders standing in the same spot, gazing across the vast horizon, hopeful and uncertain.

The view captures the stark contrast between the soft rolling grasslands and the jagged Badlands formations beyond—symbolizing the harsh realities many families faced in this unforgiving landscape. Wind-swept and open, the overlook is not just scenic—it tells a story of endurance, isolation, and the profound connection between people and place.

Whether you’re drawn by history or simply the breathtaking views, Homestead Overlook invites you to pause and reflect on the lives that once unfolded here—where nature’s beauty met human resilience on the edge of the American frontier.

• Fossil Exhibit Trail - Fossil Exhibit Trail brings the ancient past to life—literally under your feet. This easy, fully accessible boardwalk trail takes visitors on a journey through millions of years of prehistoric history, where fossils of ancient rhinos, horses, turtles, and saber-toothed creatures have been discovered.

Along the short loop, you’ll find realistic fossil replicas, engaging interpretive signs, and a glimpse into the Badlands’ role as one of the richest fossil beds in North America. It’s the perfect stop for families, science enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the creatures that once roamed this alien-like terrain.

Flat, stroller- and wheelchair-friendly, and packed with discovery, the Fossil Exhibit Trail proves that you don’t need to hike for miles to be transported through time.

This trail is more than an educational stop—it’s a hands-on way to connect with the incredible story of life long before humans walked the prairie.

• Ben Reifel Visitor Center - The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is the beating heart of Badlands National Park—your gateway to discovery, education, and orientation. Named after Ben Reifel, the first Lakota member of Congress and a champion for Native communities, this center offers rich insight into the park’s natural and cultural heritage.

Inside, you’ll find engaging exhibits on the Badlands’ unique geology, diverse wildlife, and extraordinary fossil record. Watch paleontologists at work in the onsite fossil lab, ask rangers for expert advice, or enjoy a short film that brings the landscape’s story to life.

This is more than a visitor center—it’s a launchpad for deeper connection. Whether you’re planning hikes, looking for wildlife tips, or wanting to understand the ancient forces that shaped this land, the Ben Reifel Visitor Center sets the stage.

Accessible, informative, and inspiring—it’s a must-visit stop that transforms your time in the Badlands from sightseeing into true exploration.

• Big Badlands Overlook - Big Badlands Overlook is the park’s grand welcome—where the full drama of the landscape erupts into view. Just inside the park’s eastern entrance, this overlook offers one of the most sweeping, panoramic vistas in all of Badlands National Park. Eroded cliffs, vibrant sedimentary layers, and deep-cut gullies stretch across the horizon like a natural cathedral carved by time.

Early morning and late afternoon light set the formations ablaze with color—perfect for photographers, first-time visitors, and those who simply want to start their Badlands experience with a moment of awe.

Easy to access and unforgettable to witness, Big Badlands Overlook captures the scale, mystery, and raw beauty that define the park. It’s not just a scenic stop—it’s an invitation into a world that feels ancient, untouched, and deeply moving.

For many, this is the first view of the Badlands—and the one that stays with them the longest.

• Wall Drug - What started in the 1930s as a small pharmacy offering free ice water has become one of America’s most legendary roadside attractions: Wall Drug. Located at the edge of Badlands National Park in the tiny town of Wall, this sprawling, eccentric destination is part old-time western town, part curiosity shop, and part local legend.

Inside, you’ll find everything from handmade donuts and 5¢ coffee to Western art, quirky souvenirs, a chapel, and even a giant animatronic T-Rex. It’s kitsch, culture, and Americana all rolled into one—perfect for families, road trippers, and curious explorers alike.

Don’t miss the backyard area, where kids can climb on jackalopes, splash in the mini geyser, and pose for classic photo ops.

Wall Drug is more than a pit stop—it’s a South Dakota tradition that mixes history, hospitality, and humor in a way that’s entirely its own. Come for the ice water, stay for the weird and wonderful experience you’ll never forget.

• Private transportation
• Bottled water
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Expert Private Guide

• Gratuities

At My XO Adventures, tours are more than just guided experiences—they are opportunities to create lasting memories through meaningful connections to the land. The uniqueness of this experience lies not only in the breathtaking views of the Badlands or the wildlife encounters but also in the company you keep.

The team consists of more than just part-time guides with scripts. They are storytellers, geologists, naturalists, and passionate travelers who consider this region their home. Each tour is tailored to match your interests, pace, and curiosity, and guests are treated like family—from the initial welcome to the final farewell.

Every moment is filled with laughter, learning, comfort, and care. The experience goes beyond the usual sights, offering behind-the-scenes access to places most travelers never see. There is no rushing or herding; instead, guests are welcomed, inspired, and transformed.

This is not just a tour. It is a meaningful journey—crafted with passion, guided with heart, and cherished forever.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.