Badlands Sunset and Stargazing Tour Experience

This tour is made for Rally Riders seeking an unforgettable Badlands experience without the risks of nighttime motorcycle travel. Relax in the comfort and safety of your specially equipped vehicles, guided by a professional who knows every hidden gem along the way. You'll witness an epic Badlands sunset, explore secluded overlooks most visitors never see, and marvel at thousands of stars filling the jet-black skies above. It's a safe, comfortable, and extraordinary way to experience the magic of the Badlands—perfectly designed for rally-goers.

What to expect:

Duration: between 7 hours and 8 hours

Badlands National Park

South Dakota

Our tour begins with a secret backdoor entrance to the Badlands—accessible only by our specially equipped vehicles, not motorcycles. We'll roll along an unmarked dirt road that winds through secluded prairie landscapes, offering stunning vistas most rally-goers never see. This hidden route allows us to bypass the crowds, immersing you in an untouched wilderness experience. As we emerge into the heart of the Badlands, you'll witness an epic sunset followed by a jaw-dropping night sky, free from city lights and buzzing engines. This is the side of the Badlands reserved only for those who ride along with us.

2 hours

Badlands Wilderness Overlook

Badlands National Park, , Interior, South Dakota

"As you step out onto the Badlands Wilderness Overlook, you'll catch your breath. Stretched before you is a maze of rugged cliffs and deep valleys carved by millions of years of wind and water. Layers of rock glow softly in colors of cream, orange, and pink, revealing the ancient history written in stone. There's a silence here that sinks in deep, broken only by the whisper of prairie grasses and the occasional call of distant wildlife. Standing at this viewpoint, you'll feel a sense of awe at nature's raw beauty—vast, untamed, and unlike anything you've seen before.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Sage Creek Wilderness Area

South Dakota

The Sage Creek Wilderness Area is the rugged, wild heart of Badlands National Park. Here, the land opens up into rolling prairies, dramatic buttes, and expansive grasslands. It's one of the best spots in the park for wildlife viewing, with herds of bison often grazing just feet away from the road. You'll feel like you've stepped into a scene from the American West—open, raw, and untouched. Sage Creek is quiet and remote, a place where nature still rules. Standing out here, you might spot prairie dogs peeking from their burrows, pronghorns sprinting across open fields, or even the elusive coyote quietly roaming. It's a peaceful yet powerful part of the Badlands that leaves a lasting impression on anyone who visits.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Hay Butte Overlook

Badlands National Park, , Interior, South Dakota

Hay Butte Overlook is a highlight on any journey through Badlands National Park. As the sun lowers, the landscape comes alive with breathtaking color. Deep oranges, gentle pinks, and subtle purples wash across the layered cliffs, turning the rock formations into glowing sculptures. The sun casts long shadows into the valleys, accentuating every ridge and crevice, highlighting the textures carved by centuries of erosion. Standing at Hay Butte Overlook, you feel as if you're inside a living painting, watching the colors shift and deepen with each passing moment until twilight settles softly over the land. It's an unforgettable spot, capturing the raw beauty and quiet drama of the Badlands.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Pinnacles Overlook

Vista Point, South Dakota

Pinnacles Overlook offers one of the most iconic views in Badlands National Park, showcasing sweeping panoramas of jagged formations stretching into the distance. It's undeniably beautiful—especially as sunset bathes the landscape in golden hues and deep shadows—but its popularity means it can get quite crowded.
We usually pause here briefly, just long enough to appreciate the view, before moving on to quieter, equally breathtaking spots. Our goal is always to provide you with a more intimate experience, away from the busy overlooks, where you can truly soak in the beauty and tranquility of the Badlands without distraction.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Yellow Mounds Overlook

Badlands Loop Road, South Dakota

Yellow Mounds Overlook is one of the most striking stops in Badlands National Park, known for its vivid colors and surreal landscapes. Here, the hills burst with layers of yellow, purple, red, and orange, looking as if they've been painted by hand. These colors reveal the unique geological history of the Badlands, with each shade marking a different era of sediment and ancient soil.
As the sun shifts lower, the colors intensify, creating a visual spectacle unlike anywhere else in the park. You'll want your camera ready—this spot is a photographer’s dream. Yet, despite its extraordinary beauty, it's less crowded than other overlooks, giving you space to quietly take in the view and capture unforgettable moments.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Ben Reifel Visitor Center

Cedar Pass Badlands Loop Road Hwy 240, South Dakota

Ben Reifel Visitor Center offers one of the most iconic backdrops in Badlands National Park. Although the visitor center itself is usually closed when we arrive, this spot is essential because it frames an incredible view. Standing here, you'll see dramatic rock formations rising sharply from the prairie, with layers of rugged cliffs and spires illuminated beautifully by the fading sunlight. It's one of those classic, postcard-perfect moments, making it a favorite for photography. We stop here briefly, giving you time to capture this famous scene and truly appreciate why the Badlands are so unforgettable.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Big Badlands Overlook

Route 240, South Dakota

Big Badlands Overlook is where the vastness of the park truly sinks in. From this vantage, you're gazing out over an immense tapestry of eroded pinnacles, deep canyons, and sweeping grassland, stretching to the horizon. As the sun moves, the layered terrain alternates between soft pastels and dramatic contrast—each ridge casting a shadow into the next, creating a sense of depth that photography often can’t capture.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included