Badlands National Park Conservancy

08/26/2026

Look up, South Dakota! 🌕🌑

A partial lunar eclipse will be visible across the state Thursday night, with more than 96% of the Moon’s disk passing into Earth’s darkest shadow at its peak.

Our own Emily Berry and Hank Fridell from the Black Hills Astronomical Society sat down with Lori Walsh for this episode of SDPB’s In the Moment to tell us more about what to expect!

🎧 Read or listen here: https://www.sdpb.org/2026-08-26/partial-lunar-eclipse-visible-above-south-dakota-thursday

📸 Photo from Hank Fridell

08/22/2026

Every visit to Badlands National Park becomes part of a bigger story. 🏞️

National Park Week takes place August 22–30, and this year’s theme, “Celebrate America’s Story,” honors our nation’s 250th anniversary. Enjoy special ranger programs throughout the week and fee-free entrance on August 25 in celebration of the National Park Service’s 110th birthday!

What is your National Park story? Share your favorite Badlands memory and tag the Badlands National Park Conservancy on Facebook or Instagram for a chance to be featured on our social media! 📸

08/19/2026

🌌 People Behind the Dark Skies: Matthias Schmitt

Achieving Dark Sky designation for Badlands National Park was years in the making, and Matthias Schmitt played an invaluable role throughout the process.

An astronomer based in Utah, Matthias generously shared his expertise through countless calls, questions, and trips to South Dakota. His guidance, encouragement and passion for making astronomy accessible helped make this milestone possible.

We are deeply grateful for Matthias’s dedication and look forward to many more years of collaboration. ✨

08/10/2026

The Perseid Meteor Shower is expected to peak on August 12, offering the perfect reason to experience Badlands National Park’s newly designated International Dark Sky. 🌠
For wide, open views of the night sky, consider Big Badlands Overlook, Panorama Point or Conata Basin Overlook. The best viewing is typically between midnight and dawn, with activity increasing as the early morning hours approach.
Bring a chair or blanket, allow your eyes time to adjust, and keep lights to a minimum. Please remain in designated areas and use extra caution around roads, wildlife, and steep terrain after dark.
Under some of the world’s most remarkable night skies, this is one summer show you won’t want to miss. ✨
Peak timing and viewing guidance: https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/meteors-meteorites/perseids/?utm_source=chatgpt.com and https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/night-sky-badl.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com

📸 Photo by Chris Huot

08/03/2026

The Badlands Astronomy Festival was truly a night to remember! 🌌

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped bring this special event to life, including The Little Print Shop and Black Hills Adventure Tours for their generous support, South Dakota Tourism for funding through the TAP Grant, and our wonderful vendors, Amazin Graze and Ruby Dee Photography.

A special thank you to our board members who volunteered throughout the event: Tourism Secretary Jim Hagan, our guest speaker; Jim Red Willow of the Oglala Sioux Parks and Recreation Authority, who shared Lakota Star Knowledge; JJ Kent for his Native flute performance; Kenny Putnam and Ross Johnson for sharing their music; and the City of Wall for its support.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the stories, culture and wonder of the night sky above Badlands National Park. ✨

📸 Photos by .dee.photography

07/31/2026

On World Ranger Day, we celebrate and thank the dedicated park rangers who help make Badlands National Park a place of discovery, education, and inspiration.
From protecting natural and cultural resources to assisting visitors, leading programs, conducting research, and responding to emergencies, rangers play an essential role in preserving the Badlands for future generations.
Thank you to the National Park Service rangers whose passion, knowledge, and commitment help connect people to this remarkable landscape every day. 🌄💚

07/30/2026

Another successful Astronomy Festival! Thank you to everyone who came out to join in all of the fun! 🌌

07/27/2026

There's more to the Badlands than meets the eye... especially after the sun goes down. 🌌

Tune in to the latest episode of Night Sky Tourist, where our Executive Director, Marissa Marshall, joins Badlands National Park Superintendent Eric Veach to discuss the park's exciting new International Dark Sky Park designation and so much more!

Badlands National Park recently announced their certification as an International Dark Sky Park. Let's peek behind the scenes.

07/18/2026

A milestone years in the making. 🌟
Badlands National Park has officially earned its designation as an International Dark Sky Park, recognizing years of dedication, collaboration, and hard work to protect one of the park's most extraordinary resources, its incredible night skies.
This achievement would not have been possible without the commitment of the Badlands National Park staff, whose leadership and stewardship made this vision a reality, and the Badlands National Park Conservancy Board of Directors, whose unwavering support and advocacy helped move this effort forward every step of the way.
This designation is more than a title, it's a promise to preserve the awe of the Badlands after dark for future generations. Thank you to everyone who played a role in making this remarkable achievement possible. Now, it's time to look up. 🌌

07/16/2026

When the sun goes down, the stars take center stage. As one of the country's best places to experience naturally dark skies, Badlands National Park offers unforgettable views after dark. Enjoy this stunning time-lapse by one of Badlands' Artist-in-Residence, Kristin Hugo. 🌠