My first visit to Badlands National Park in South Dakota was a real eye-opener. I had always pictured this park as a vast area of colorless, barren landscapes. What a wondrous surprise to discover beautiful vistas full of color and wildlife. The landscapes are quite breathtaking and the variety of wildlife rivals many other National Parks in the U.S.

Bison, bighorn sheep, fox, coyote, pronghorn, prairie dogs (lots!) and many species of birds live here. Watching families of bighorn sheep romp around the rocky hillsides can occupy an entire morning or afternoon and the hundreds of prairie dogs are endless entertainment.

But the true magic of this park, is the scenery with rocks that turn fire red at sunset and colorful mounds that have been created by thousands of years of erosion. For landscape photographers, Badlands is a must-see location, highly recommended.