Guides/Overland routes/South Dakota
Overland route25 midifficulty: easy

Buffalo Gap National Grassland (Conata Basin)

RegionSouth DakotaAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Buffalo Gap National Grassland (Conata Basin) — overland route near Wall, South Dakota, South Dakota
Chad Davis (CC BY 2.0)
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
25mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Out and back
Vehicle
Standard high-clearance vehicle in dry conditions; the gravel two-track turns to gumbo when wet and is impassable.
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Spotty along Highway 44; none on the interior roads.
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Buffalo Gap National Grassland surrounds Badlands National Park on the U.S. Forest Service side, 595,715 acres of mixed prairie and chalky badlands managed as a unit of Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands. The Conata Basin section, immediately south of Badlands NP, holds one of the most successful black-footed ferret reintroduction programs in the country and remains one of the best places in the lower 48 to drive open prairie without crowds.

The grassland is open to dispersed camping and motorized travel on designated roads. Two ranger districts manage the unit: Wall (north) and Hot Springs (south). Most of the gravel roads are seasonal and turn to gumbo after rain. The route described here covers roughly 25 miles of Conata Basin Road and connecting Forest Service two-tracks south of the park boundary.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Wet-weather impassability. The clay-rich roads turn to gumbo. Don't drive them wet.
  • Plague-bearing prairie dogs. Keep pets out of colonies.
  • Cattle on roads. Active grazing means cows on the road. Slow down and close gates.
  • No services or cell. Carry water, fuel, recovery gear, and a satellite communicator.
  • Heat and lightning. Summer prairie storms develop quickly. Get to a vehicle.
  • Restricted-area signage. The grassland borders former Air Force bombing ranges. Respect closures.

Location

25 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 43.733, -102.096

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townWall, South Dakota
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r02/nebraska
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb
Approx. location43.733, -102.096

Getting there

Directions

From Wall (north access). Take I-90 Exit 110 to Wall, head south on US-14 / Pennington County Road 109 toward the National Grasslands Visitor Center, then continue south to grassland roads.

From Scenic (south access). Take SD-44 east from Rapid City to Scenic, then turn north on Conata Road toward Conata Basin.

Photos

2 photos

Photos · 2

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Buffalo Gap National Grassland is a checkerboard of federal and private land south and east of Badlands National Park, broken across four counties. The Conata Basin section sits between SD-44 to the south and the park boundary to the north, and is accessed primarily from Conata Road off SD-44 east of Scenic. From Conata, gravel roads run north into the basin, connect to the Sage Creek Wilderness boundary, and tie back to Wall via Pennington County Road 109.

Trail Overview

Roughly 25 miles one way of improved gravel and Forest Service two-track. The Conata Basin Road is graded; the connecting roads are unimproved and wash out routinely. The grassland is open to dispersed camping with the standard 14-day stay limit. Drive time depends entirely on stops; the Conata Basin alone can absorb a full afternoon for wildlife and wildflower watching.

Points of Interest

  • Conata Basin Visitor Area. Black-footed ferret reintroduction site with interpretive signs.
  • Conata Picnic Area. Forest Service day-use area off Conata Road with a vault toilet.
  • Sage Creek Wilderness boundary. Walking access into the wilderness on the park side.
  • National Grasslands Visitor Center. In Wall, with exhibits on grassland ecology and management.
  • Badlands NP boundary access points. Several gravel roads dead-end at the park boundary; foot travel into the park's wilderness is permitted with normal park rules.
  • Bombing Range Road area. Cold War-era restricted-area road and signage in the eastern grassland.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is permitted on Buffalo Gap NG land except in posted exclusion areas. The 14-day stay limit applies. There are no developed campgrounds in the Conata Basin section; the closest developed camping is in Badlands NP at Sage Creek and Cedar Pass.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • The roads turn to gumbo after rain. Plan around the forecast.
  • Plague is endemic in prairie dogs. Keep dogs out of colonies.
  • Cattle grazing runs June-October. Close gates behind you.
  • No services on the grassland. Top off fuel and water in Wall or Interior.
  • Lightning and severe weather develop fast on the prairie. Carry a NOAA radio.
  • Combine with Sage Creek Rim Road inside Badlands NP and the Baja OHV Travel Management Area for a full day on the grassland.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Buffalo Gap National Grassland (Conata Basin)?
Buffalo Gap National Grassland (Conata Basin) is rated easy. The route runs 25 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Buffalo Gap National Grassland (Conata Basin)?
Standard high-clearance vehicle in dry conditions; the gravel two-track turns to gumbo when wet and is impassable.
When is the best time to visit Buffalo Gap National Grassland (Conata Basin)?
The best months are May, Jun, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb.
Is there cell service at Buffalo Gap National Grassland (Conata Basin)?
Spotty along Highway 44; none on the interior roads.