Adventure’s Calling: This Trail Is Ideal for Discovering Fossils in South Dakota

In a place like Badlands National Park, going on a hike can be a real physical challenge. There’s little shade and limited access to water. However, the short and sweet Fossil Exhibit National Recreation Trail is the perfect option for a quick 10-minute hike that lets you get up close and personal with fossil replicas and exhibits of creatures that once called this area home.

I’ve been visiting Badlands National Park for more than 20 years, and I always make sure to stop at this trailhead. In fact, you can actually catch a glimpse of the trail in the 2021 Oscar-winning film Nomadland. While this out-and-back trail is less than half a mile, it’s brimming with history. In addition to the educational plaques scattered along the accessible boardwalk, the surrounding scenery is hauntingly beautiful. 

The Badlands are dry, desolate... and magnificent. Wandering along this family-friendly trail, it's easy to imagine dinosaurs hanging out. You should keep your eyes peeled as it’s not uncommon to see bison, bighorn sheep, and even prairie dogs scampering near the trailhead. 

Driving the Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway is the easiest way to reach the trail. Along the way, you can make stops at the Pinnacle, Yellow Mounds, and Burns Basin overlooks. Additionally, the Saddle Pass trailhead is less than a 10-minute drive away.

As visiting the Fossil Exhibit National Recreation Trail won’t take too much of your time, I would suggest grabbing lunch at Cedar Pass Lodge. The lodge serves up some killer Indian Tacos on traditional fry bread. Plus, there’s a small store that sells souvenirs and simple grocery items. The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is next to the lodge and offers a great opportunity to chat further about the fossils you saw along the trail. 

If you have the time, book an overnight stay at the lodge. The cabins are modern, roomy, and quite comfortable. I have a vivid memory of sitting on my cabin's porch listening to a thunderstorm echo through the Badlands as the lightning flashed. 

Even though the Fossil Trail is short, be sure to bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. If your schedule permits, consider visiting during the early morning hours or just before sunset. I typically visit this spot later in the day, both for the cooler weather and the increased chance of seeing wildlife.

For some easy additions to your time around the park, swing by the world-famous Wall Drug. You can’t miss it. Seriously. I remember entering South Dakota from the Iowa border and counting over 100 billboards advertising Wall Drug. 

In a state as diverse and beautiful as South Dakota, there are hundreds of hiking trails to choose from. While the Fossil Exhibit National Recreation Trail is short, it packs a big punch with its exhibits and replicas of the area’s fossils. I highly recommend adding this trail to your visit to Badlands National Park, whether you’re just passing through or staying for a few days.