Badlands is a unique and oddly-shaped national park. Most of the experience is simply driving from one end to the other, although it offers a couple of decent hiking opportunities as well.

The odd shape and driving-focused experience are owing to the harsh stretch of jagged rocks that separate the lower prairie from the upper prairie. This area gained notoriety during the white expansion west in the early 1800s, because the covered wagons used by the settlers could not traverse this terrain, and the seemingly impassable rocks stretch for more than 60 miles.

Ultimately, two different passes were carved through the rocks, allowing for easier passage. The area became known colloquially as the “wall,” and the town resting just past the top of the wall became known as Wall, South Dakota, home of the kitschy tourist attraction Wall Drug.

The history and stories behind this area enhanced the experience, but the positively insane rock structures were the star attractions to be sure.

Interestingly, the very first things we saw as we entered Badlands were more bison and prairie dogs, which we have come to love.

From there, we proceeded along the road, which offered a shifting variety of vantage points along the top of the wall, then through a pass to the bottom of the wall, then back through another pass up to the top of the wall.

One roadside pull-out offered an opportunity to walk out onto the rocks and get a more personal look at the truly alien nature of this place.

Of course, Bella got to enjoy Badlands too.