Research

three scientists work together at a table, two look through microscopes and another leans over the table reviewing papers — With so many natural and cultural resources, it's no wonder that researchers often look to Badlands National Park as a place to learn more.
NPS Photo / Larry McAfee

Interested in park research?

There are many research questions posed by cultural and scientific resources at Badlands National Park. If you are interested in conducting research at the park, you must apply for a research permit. For more information on applying for a permit, please visit the National Park Service's Research Permit and Reporting website or contact Badlands National Park directly by phone (605-433-5361) or via email.

To learn more about past research conducted in the park, explore the research portal below.

Park Research Portal

Plant Community Monitoring

Learn more about plant community research conducted by the Northern Great Plains Inventory and Monitoring Network.
Park Air Profile

Badlands National Park has been monitoring visibility since 1999. Read about air quality monitoring research here.
Bat Acoustic Monitoring

Researchers monitored bat calls in Badlands National Park from 2014-2017. Read about their findings here.
Geologic Resources Inventory

Learn about the geologic history, setting, features, and processes at Badlands National Park in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas.
Fossil Preparation Lab

Over 220 specimens from at least 75 different species have been prepared in the Prep Lab. Learn more about lab staff and their work here.
Museum Collections

Badlands has an extensive set of collections ranging from paleontology to archives.