As daunting, unforgiving and monochromatic as the landscape may appear during the day, it’s a completely different experience to see Badlands National Park at sunrise.
While the harsh overhead sunshine of midday hides the delicate colors of the Badlands, the soft morning light brings out a spectrum of gorgeous pastel shades.
At sunrise, when the sun first peeks above the horizon and casts its rays across these rugged ravines and razor-edged ridgelines, the Badlands display a range of pale purples, subtle pinks and light oranges.
Dawn also comes with dramatic shadows in the Badlands, creating an incredible three-dimensional landscape.
Enjoying the sunrise is easily one of the top things to do in Badlands National Park, making your visit to this spectacular park in southwestern South Dakota even more unforgettable.
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6 Best Sunrise Spots in Badlands National Park
It’s absolutely worthwhile to wake up early and watch a Badlands sunrise. It’s arguably the most beautiful time of the day in the park, a precious hour of solitude, quiet natural immersion and, perhaps, a wildlife encounter or two.
So below, you’ll find the five best places to watch the sunrise in Badlands National Park. All these sunrise locations are on the Badlands Loop Road and face east, in the direction of the sunrise. They’re listed in order, from east to west.
I wanted to make a point of mentioning that pretty much all viewpoints in Badlands National Park are amazing at sunrise, including the west-facing overlooks. Those below are simply the places that face east, allowing you to look directly at the rising sun itself.
I’ve kept the following list of best Badlands sunrise spots short because it’s virtually impossible to visit more than a handful of locations before the actual sunrise, or “golden hour”, is over. (If you have multiple mornings in the park, feel free to explore beyond these spots, of course.) I’d recommend picking a few locations and spending more time enjoying the epic early-morning scenery, rather than rushing from one viewpoint to the next.
Check out this blog post for the best places to see the sunset in Badlands National Park!
1. Big Badlands Overlook
Arguably the single best place to watch the sunrise in Badlands National Park, the Big Badlands Overlook provides a commanding view of the eastern part of the Badlands Wall.
The overlook is in the far northeastern corner of the park, less than four miles south of I-90.
Comprising the lower units of the Badlands Formations, from the ancient dark-gray Chadron Formation to the slightly younger red stripes of the Brule Formation, the vista is truly showstopping. This view is spectacular throughout the day, but is especially glorious at sunrise.
2. Door Trail
The Door Trail leads to a great view of the Badlands in the eastern portion of the park.
As the name suggests, this trail takes you to an opening in the Badlands called “the Door” via an accessible boardwalk. Beyond the boardwalk, the trail continues but is unpaved and unmaintained.
The roundtrip distance of the Door Trail is only 0.75 miles. Its trailhead is at the expansive Door, Window and Notch Trail parking area, a short drive from the Big Badlands Overlook.
3. Window Trail
The Window Trail, located just south of the Door Trail, is even shorter, with a total roundtrip distance of 0.25 miles.
The boardwalk leads to a natural window in the Badlands Wall, which offers a view of an eroded canyon. It’s quite spectacular once the sun is slightly above the horizon.
You could easily do both the Door and the Window Trail at or just after sunrise. With a combined total distance of merely a mile, it’s possible to hike these Badlands trails in less than an hour.
4. Norbeck Pass
Located just south of the popular Fossil Exhibit Trail, Norbeck Pass is a steep hill in the transition zone between the lower and upper prairie.
The renowned Badlands Wall separates both prairie environments, making this an area of both ecological and geological significance.
From Norbeck Pass, there’s an excellent view to the east, allowing you to see the colors shift and shadows creep across the Badlands as the sun rises. There are roadside pullouts where you can park your vehicle.
5. Panorama Point Overlook
The popular Panorama Point Overlook is just west of Bigfoot Pass on the eastern section of the Badlands Loop Road. This Badlands viewpoint looks to the southeast and—as the name implies—provides a jaw-dropping panoramic view of the Badlands.
This is without question one of the top sunrise spots in Badlands National Park, its distant vista taking in the iconic Badlands Formations, which descend toward the White River Valley. It’s truly breathtaking here at dawn.
6. Burns Basin Overlook
Named after the old homestead of Wilson Burns, who had a sheep farm in the basin below in the early-20th century, this overlook doesn’t face directly east, but still offers an amazing view around sunrise.
From the overlook, you can admire a collection of typical color-banded badlands, while the basin and valley beckon beyond. A very short boardwalk leads to a single bench overlooking the landscape.
It’s as beautiful a view in Badlands National Park as you’ll find anywhere, especially right after dawn.
Additionally, the Burns Basin Overlook is also a great place to see prairie dogs in the Badlands!
Map of the Best Badlands National Park Sunrise Spots
