The Surprising Link Between Montana And South Dakota

How the Badlands Connect To Yellowstone

Have you ever gone somewhere new, but it still felt weirdly familiar?

It turns out that if you’re from Montana, you can feel this way in South Dakota too. Let me explain.

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Yellowstone’s Volcanic Legacy Reaches the Badlands

I grew up in South Dakota, so every now and then I catch myself reading up on my old stomping grounds. I was doing just that recently with the Badlands, and I came across something pretty interesting.

The Badlands are basically connected to Yellowstone.

Yellowstone National Park’s volcanic activity didn’t stay put. It spread across a huge area, reaching the Badlands in South Dakota, about 470–500 miles away.

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Geological Details From The National Park Service

According to the National Park Service History Website:

The overlying Brule Formation, which is generally thicker in Badlands National Park than the Chadron, is comprised of the lower Scenic and upper Poleslide Members. Together these have a maximum thickness of circa 120 m and are comprised of mudstones, claystones, shales, sandstones, conglomerates, and volcanic ash. Ash derived from the Yellowstone National Park region is a common feature of the Poleslide Member (Clark et al. 1967). In portions of Badlands National Park, the Brule Formation is overlain by generally fine-grained and weakly cemented sediments of the late Oligocene Arikaree Group. The contact between the Sharps Formation of the Arikaree Group and underlying Brule Formation is marked by a distinctive bed of volcanic ash, known as the Rockyford Ash.

I just think that’s kind of wild. No matter where you go, especially out west, you might not be as far from Montana as you think.

LOOK: 10 Reasons to Visit the South Dakota Badlands

Returning from a weekend trip to Rapid City, South Dakota for state basketball tournaments we decided to visit the Badlands National Park.

A quick turn-off I-90 will take you into some of the most awe-inspiring scenery.

It's also fun to note that several big-screen movies were filmed in the Badlands. Dances With Wolves, Starship Troopers, Armageddon, and most recently, Academy Award winner, Nomadland.

It's a spectacular park with tons to do. If you're setting out on a hike, bring lots of water and sign the hikers' logs at the trailheads. It could save your life. It's a tough place to survive.

Here are 10 facts about the Badlands:

Gallery Credit: Danny V

HAHA: One Star Ratings For Montana's Most Popular State Park

Giant Springs State Park is Montana's most visited state park, but that doesn't mean everyone who visits enjoys their time. Check out all the 1-star ratings on Google.

Gallery Credit: Nick Northern

KEEP READING: The 11 Most Visited National Parks In America

With 63 National Parks in America, there are lots of places to visit, but here are the 11 most popular tourist destinations when it comes to annual visitors according to More Than Just Parks.

Gallery Credit: Nick Northern