The Sioux called the land

Makoshika...the bad lands.

Here, wind and water erosion are constantly changing the landscape, creating a wide range of odd-shaped sandstone knobs and caprocks. Evergreens stand in contrast to the red scoria on other hillsides, while sagebrush, cactus, yucca, summer wildflowers and range grasses add even more variety. Mule deer, though good at hiding in the parks many coulees, can be seen, especially in the early morning or evening. Coyotes, bobcats, turkey vultures, prairie falcons, golden eagles, meadowlarks and mountain bluebirds all reside in the park.

Millions of years ago, the badlands were home to dinosaurs. Fossils of 10 different species have been found, and the search goes on. Volunteers from the Milwaukee Public Museum excavated a triceratops skull and from the park during 1991.

The skull is the main display at the new Makoshika Visitors' Center.

The center has many exhibits along with the triceratops skull. The Seaway exhibit, which will help visitors picture the park when it was under the ocean, starts off the exhibits. "A Moment of Dinosaurs" and "Ages of Erosion" displays continue, with "Makoshika Today" concluding the exhibits.

Click on this Image for a Full-Sized Park Map

The park contains two developed hiking trails. The first about three miles into the park, is the Cap Rock Nature Trail. Several interpretive signs and a self-guiding leaflet are available at the beginning of the 0.6 mile loop trail which features a close-up look at soil stratus, caprocks and a spectacular natural bridge.

The second hiking trail, about four miles from the park entrance,is called the Kinney Coulee Trail. The half-mile hike will take you 300 feet down to the floor of a coulee, through pines and across eroded shapes that stir the imagination.

Also, bicyclists will be able to travel through the park along newly constructed bike trails. The visitors' center provides bike trail maps.

You won't want to miss Buzzard Day, an annual event celebrating the spring return of the turkey vultures.

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This page was last modified April 10, 2002
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