Dakota Adventures - Backpacking

Dakota Adventures hosts backpacking trips in the Sage Creek Wilderness area of Badlands National Park. Our trips are all-inclusive. All you have to bring is a good attitude and the personal items on the list we send you.

What you'll take home, however, is up to you and Mother Nature. Some leave with memories of bison silhouetted against the sunset, others the awe of seeing a black-footed ferret--the most endangered land mammal in North America. Maybe you'll take home the song of the meadowlark or lightning over a vast expanse of openness.

At Dakota Adventures we subscribe to the "Leave No Trace" concept of backpacking. That means you'll leave no impression on the landscape. What impression the landscape leaves on you is another matter.


Badlands National Park


Located in southwestern South Dakota, Badlands National Park consists of 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest protected mixed grass prairie in the United States. The Badlands Wilderness Area covers 64,000 acres and is the site of the reintroduction of the black-footed ferret, the most endangered land mammal in North America. The Stronghold Unit is co-managed with the Ogallala Sioux Tribe and includes sites of 1890s Ghost Dances. Established as Badlands National Monument in 1939, the area was re designated "National Park" in 1978. Over 11,000 years of human history pale to the ages old paleontological resources. Badlands National Park contains the world's richest Oligocene epoch fossil beds, dating 23 to 35 million years old.


Sage Creek Wilderness


Sage Creek Wilderness Area in the park's northern region provides 64,250 acres of remote wilderness. It's hard to miss the massive 2,000-pound bison that graze on prairie grass in the Badlands—with a herd 600 strong, chances are good that you will see some. And there's always a chance you will catch a rare glimpse of the 25 to 30 black-footed ferrets living in the park. In addition to the daily wonders that go on unaided and usually unseen by people.

The majestic beauty, serenity, and solitude when combined, make up one of the most remote national park left in the lower 48 states. Buffalo roam freely along with Big Horn Sheep, Deer, Mountain Lions, and lots more wildlife. During our easy to moderate trip you will hike with minimal exertion. We take you through the lowlands which are relatively flat. This makes for easy hiking with the most spectacular views.

We depart from the Pinnacles overlook and make our way to camp on top of Hay Butte. The sunrises and sunsets from atop Hay Butte are amazing!

 



Trip Cost Rating
2 days 1 night $285 + tax Easy to Moderate
3 days 2 nights $360 + tax Easy to Moderate
Prices are per person and do not include 6% sales tax.  Prices are subject to change without notice.