Added: 10/13/2006 |
Badlands in South Dakota (a U.S. National Park)The badlands in South Dakota are considered to be very unique in their own right. These massive eroded rock formations are a part of South Dakota National Park (more specifically, the Badlands National Park).
This largely area of stony landscape is located within the southwestern region of South Dakota. It consists of noticeably eroded buttes, pinnacles, and prehistoric epoch fossils beds. The Badlands in South Dakota are operated by the Badlands National Park, which works to preserve the natural habitat and wildlife of the area.
Animals that live in the green mixed prairie lands nearby the Badlands in South Dakota include the bison, bighorn sheep, deer, and antelope. Those who want to learn more about all these and other species of animals, such as horses, rhinoceroses, swift fox, and black-footed ferrets can obtain more information through various guides who work in the park. Located in this park are also two visiting centers, restrooms, telephone, and various other conveniences that are made available for travelers.
A very significant cultural attraction exists for visitors to see in the Badlands, and is named the Crazy Horst Memorial. Quite a bit of history is represented by this monument which is still being worked on. It is a statue of a very influential Native American leader (a.k.a. Tashunka Witco) who was of the Sioux tribe. He was killed while being detained at Fort Robinson in the year 1877, which was less than a year before two major battles during which he had fought for the purpose of helping the Sioux people retain (or regain) their rights.
The Crazy Horse statue which has yet to be finished represents perhaps one of the saddest periods in American History, which involved numerous gruesome battles that took place which involved the death of many Native people. The reason for many of these battles was largely because of a conflict of interest between new European settlers and the people who originally lived on American soil. New settlers wanted the land and right or wrong they did what they did to acquire it, and the Natives, who were brutally defeated, were left for quite some time for dead.
The person who started the Crazy Horse Memorial building project was Ziolkowski, who was born in 1908, and died in 1982. Today there is a museum that is dedicated to this unfinished sculpture, and to the study of the Native American culture at large.
On a lighter note, many trails lead through various sections of the badlands, and this park often serves as a challenge to serious hikers. The climate of the Badlands in South Dakota is very unpredictable. Temperatures range from -40 F to 116 F. The summers are very hot and dry, and occasionally are plighted by a violent thunderstorm. The winter temperatures of this area are quite cold, and this area usually receives 12 to 14 inches of snowfall during this time. Additionally, high winds are typical of this area, and so are drastic and dramatic weather changes.
Visitors are advised to wear layers of clothing to adjust to the changes of the Badlands in South Dakota more readily. In addition, it is recommended that they bring hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and plenty of water along. They need to be prepared for their trip to the Badlands, which is a part of the South Dakota National Park system.
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