Place Archive

Buffalo Gap National Grasslands

Buffalo Gap National Grasslands is a federally managed mixed-grass prairie in South Dakota, established in 1960 to conserve natural grassland ecosystems and associated wildlife habitat across the Great Plains. The area surrounds much of Badlands National Park along its southern boundary and includes eroded badlands terrain shaped by millions of years of sedimentary erosion. Bighorn sheep inhabit the cliffs and buttes throughout the grassland, which is managed concurrently for grazing, wildlife conservation, and dispersed public use.

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Buffalo Gap National Grasslands Photo Locations

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Blue skies and badland formations — The Badlands Wall formation stretches roughly 60 miles through Badlands National Park, separating the upper prairie from the lower prairie along the White River Valley. These sedimentary layers—bands of volcanic ash, claystone, and sandstone—were deposited between 75 and 28 million years ago and have been eroding at a rate of about an inch per year since the process began roughly 500,000 years ago. The park protects more than 244,000 acres, much of it co-managed with the Oglala Sioux Tribe as part of the adjacent Pine Ridge Reservation's South Unit. Fossil beds within these formations have yielded remains of ancient horses, rhinoceroses, and saber-toothed cats, making the area one of the richest Oligocene fossil deposits in the world.

Colorful rainbow sunrise at Buffalo Gap in South Dakota — A rainbow arcs across a dramatic sky over the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands in South Dakota. This area, managed by the U.S. Forest Service, preserves a vast expanse of mixed-grass prairie and badlands topography. Established in 1960, the grasslands are a remnant of the Great Plains' natural landscape, supporting diverse wildlife and offering opportunities for dispersed recreation. The unique geological formations visible are the result of millions of years of erosion, creating a rugged and visually striking environment.

Colorful sunrise in the badlands behind a tent — A tent is pitched on a grassy overlook within the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands in South Dakota, as a dramatic sunrise paints the sky with vibrant colors. This area, managed by the Bureau of Land Management, is known for its rugged badlands topography and expansive prairie landscapes. The grasslands were established in 1960 to conserve and manage the natural grasslands and associated wildlife habitats. Today, it remains a significant area for grazing, conservation, and public enjoyment of its natural beauty.

Buffalo Gap National Grasslands badlands at sunset in South Dakota. — Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, South Dakota. The grasslands include rugged badlands terrain along the southern edge of the Black Hills region. Much of the area is managed for grazing, wildlife habitat, and dispersed recreation.

Bighorn sheep on the cliffs of Buffalo Gap National Grassland, South Dakota. — Bighorn sheep inhabit the eroded cliffs and buttes of Buffalo Gap National Grassland in South Dakota. The grassland surrounds much of Badlands National Park and provides habitat for wildlife adapted to the rugged terrain.

Buffalo Gap National Grasslands Photo Locations

Minneapolis Photographer