Inspiring travel stories, tips, and guides from a couple exploring the world one destination at a time.
Theodore Roosevelt first visited the North Dakota Badlands in 1883. He was an avid hunter and conservationist. Back in the 1800s, he was very aware of the devastating effects of America depleting it’s natural resources.
Last Updated: May 25, 2026
After visiting the pine-covered Black Hills in western South Dakota, we headed east through the grass-covered prairies to the Badlands. French fur traders called the area “les mauvaises terres à traverser,” meaning “the bad lands to traverse.” The Lakota knew it as “Mako Sica,” which likewise means “bad land.”
