Badlands National Park was officially designated an International Dark Sky Park by DarkSky International on July 17, 2026, the first and only park in South Dakota to earn the certification, and one of roughly 40 National Park Service sites nationwide recognized for exceptionally dark, protected night skies. The designation caps a conservation effort that began in 2018: lighting retrofits, dark-sky-friendly practices, and long-term sky-quality monitoring across the park.
What that means for your tour: under the park’s Bortle Class 2 skies, more than 7,500 stars are visible on a clear night, per the Badlands National Park Conservancy, along with planets, meteors, and the full band of the Milky Way. Badlands Tour Company runs private, guide-led stargazing tours inside this newly certified Dark Sky Park, departing from Rapid City year-round. Read more about the Dark Sky designation.
This tour isn’t just about watching the sun go down, because it’s about what happens after.
We take you into the Badlands as the day ends, light shifts, and shadows stretch across the land. You’ll see the park during its most surreal hour, then settle into a private, peaceful stargazing session with zero distractions.
Out here, you’re miles away from city lights. The sky gets darker, the stars brighter. And for a moment, you might feel like you’re standing on another planet.
Sunset Arrival, Not Exit: Most visitors are leaving. We’re just getting started. You’ll enter the park timed for the golden hour glow, when the rocks turn crimson and gold.
Private Stargazing Setup: We bring zero gravity chairs, a telescope (conditions permitting), and star maps. You’ll lean back, get comfortable, and let the night sky roll out overhead.
Guided Constellation Tour: Your guide shares the stories behind the stars, covering seasonal constellations, how travelers have navigated by them, and the long human history of this sky.
Photography + Night Sky Tips: We’ll take photos during sunset and, if you’d like, teach you how to capture long-exposure night shots using your phone or camera.
Quiet, Remote Location: We don’t sit in a parking lot. You’ll experience the dark sky from a peaceful pull-off where there’s nothing but silence and stars.
Late afternoon pickup (adjusted by season and sunset time)
Scenic drive through the park with photo stops
Golden hour viewing along the Badlands Loop Road
Setup at a secluded stargazing spot
Sunset viewing and transition to full darkness
Night sky storytelling and constellation identification
Optional light refreshments + quiet time
Return in darkness under the stars
Private guide with stargazing and local astronomy knowledge
All park admissions
Zero gravity reclining chairs
Star maps, laser pointer, and telescope (when sky is clear)
Night sky photography assistance
Bottled water and light snacks
Transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle
Start time changes with the seasons. We always time it to arrive in the park 90 minutes before sunset.
Yes, but we recommend this tour for families with older children who can enjoy a quiet, slower-paced experience.
Even without stars, the Badlands at dusk and after dark is unforgettable. If clouds roll in, we’ll focus more on sunset photography, landscape interpretation, and storytelling.
Even in summer, the temperature can drop. We bring blankets, but bring a jacket just in case.
Yes, and we’ll help you! We provide a tripod and walk you through how to capture long-exposure shots, even with a smartphone.
Most people visit the Badlands during the day. But if you stay after the sun dips, you’ll see the landscape, and sky, transform into something unreal.
Out here, it’s not just a sunset. It’s a sacred transition from day to night, watched in stillness, under an ancient sky. This is what makes your Badlands Stargazing Tour so unique.
See a different side of Badlands National Park, at sunset and under the night sky, with this experience. Your guide will take you and your party out at dusk, a great time to spot wildlife. After the sun sets, you’ll head over to the park ranger-led Night Sky Program, where you’ll learn about the universe and maybe even get to see the sky through a telescope.
7 Hours (approx.)
On your Badlands Stargazing Tour, we arrive early to enjoy the sunset and Golden Hour. This is when the wildlife is most active, and photographic opportunities abound. The Badlands is world-renowned for its sunsets and night skies, making this our favorite tour to offer.
We know the best way to view the park during sunset. We'll take you through the Sage Creek Wilderness area to see all types of formations, with the sunset at our backs. This makes the photography of wildlife, shapes, and shadows amazing. It's our favorite tour area, and you'll understand why.
One of the most impressive views of the Badlands and often missed. We'll be sure to stop here for photos, and maybe even set up for a viewing of the sunset.
We'll set up for the beautiful night sky at a location we only know. Our tour includes blankets, and zero-gravity chairs to see as much of the sky as possible. We'll see planets, shooting stars, and the Milky Way Galaxy. Your guide will take night photos and share them with you at the end of the tour. We can even show you how to take them using your phone.
Red light flashlights are provided to prevent any white light from interfering with your night vision! We also provide a chart of the night sky showing the constellations and satellites that zoom overhead. Truly a unique experience for adults and kids. The Badlands Stargazing Tour offers clarity that few people in the United States enjoy. Over 7,500 stars are visible on any given night.
We’ll enter Badlands National Park at the magic time just before sunset. Folding chairs will be brought out at the perfect location for viewing. After, we’ll head to the Amphitheater for night sky viewing with telescope and watch the stars light up the sky.
Bigfoot Pass Overlook is named after Chief Bigfoot, who led his tribe while being chased by the U.S. Army through the Badlands until they reached the sight of Wounded Knee, where men, women, and children were massacred. Chief Bigfoot was known for his diplomatic skills, but sadly, that didn't save him and his tribe from genocide at the hands of the U.S. Government and Col. James Forsyth.
Just moments away from our secluded location on your Badlands Stargazing Tour! Soon, our comfortable viewing area will be set up, eyes will be wide open, and the show begins!
The Badlands Stargazing Tour is offerred by Badlands Tour Company, a DBA of My XO Adventures LLC, located in Rapid City, South Dakota.
