• Registration is easy and free!

  • Welcome to the National Parks USA forum! Registered members can download resources for free and use the forum without advertising banners. Click here for free registration. After registration, check your mailbox and confirm your email address.

Visit the Fossil Preparation Lab - Badlands National Park

a woman in a white lab coat works on an enormous fossil skull.
Guided Tours

Visit the Fossil Preparation Lab

Badlands National Park
Summer
Pets: No
Fees: No

Visitor Dashboard

Current park status

2 active alerts
Park Closure

Notch Trail Closure for Repairs

Read more Show less
Notch Trail and all areas within 100’ of the designated trail closed while park staff are repairing the section of the Notch trail ladder that has become a safety hazard for hikers.
Caution

Navigation

Read more Show less
Do not rely on GPS digital navigation systems to find your way to Badlands National Park. Please note that the Visitor Center at 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior SD 57750 is located just off I-90.

About this activity

Visit the Fossil Preparation Lab in Badlands National Park, where visitors have the opportunity to engage with paleontologists and other park staff working on Badlands fossils!

A Working Paleontology Lab

The Fossil Preparation Lab is typically open from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., seven days a week, from the second week in June through the third week in September. Located in the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, this working paleontological laboratory gives visitors the chance to watch paleontologists at work and learn more about ongoing science at Badlands National Park.

In the Fossil Preparation Lab, visitors can watch park paleontologists and interns perform the amazing work of fossil preparation. This includes identifying species based on fossil characteristics, removing rock from fossils, and preparing and cataloguing finished specimens for display. Visitors also have the opportunity to ask rangers and paleontologists questions about this exciting work.

Activity details

Season
Summer
Time of day
Day
Pets
No
Fees
No
Accessibility

Guided Experiences

Discover guided tours and memorable experiences near Badlands National Park.

Why book a guided experience?

Discover guided tours, tickets and activities available near Badlands National Park.

Flexible cancellation options
Instant confirmation
Convenient mobile tickets
Experienced local guides
Reviews from fellow travelers
Explore Guided Experiences
We may earn a commission when you book through this link.

Access requirement information

Not available

No additional access requirement details are available from the provider.

Official website

Official access information supplied by the provider for this activity. Requirements and availability may change, so always verify the latest details on the official website.
Visit official website

Weather forecast

Check the weather forecast before planning this activity.
Weather alerts active
Freeze Warning
Tonight
30°F-1°C
Mostly Clear then Widespread Frost
NW 25 mph40 km/h Rain: 1%
Friday
52°F11°C
Widespread Frost then Sunny
W 10 mph16 km/h
Friday Night
38°F3°C
Clear
S 20 mph31 km/h
Saturday
74°F23°C
Sunny
SW 20 mph31 km/h
Saturday Night
43°F6°C
Mostly Clear
SW 13 mph20 km/h
Sunday
67°F19°C
Sunny
N 17 mph27 km/h
Forecast data provided by the National Weather Service.
Last updated: Oct 15, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Official forecast
Forecasts can change and local conditions may vary. Check official weather alerts and park guidance before your visit.

More weather details

Tonight
30°F-1°C
Mostly Clear then Widespread Frost

Widespread frost after 4am. Mostly clear. Low around 30, with temperatures rising to around 32 overnight. Northwest wind 14 to 36 mph, with gusts as high as 54 mph.

NW 25 mph40 km/h Rain: 1%
Friday
52°F11°C
Widespread Frost then Sunny

Widespread frost before 9am. Sunny. High near 52, with temperatures falling to around 50 in the afternoon. West wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

W 10 mph16 km/h
Friday Night
38°F3°C
Clear

Clear, with a low around 38. South wind 14 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.

S 20 mph31 km/h
Saturday
74°F23°C
Sunny

Sunny. High near 74, with temperatures falling to around 69 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 17 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

SW 20 mph31 km/h
Saturday Night
43°F6°C
Mostly Clear

Mostly clear, with a low around 43. Southwest wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

SW 13 mph20 km/h
Sunday
67°F19°C
Sunny

Sunny. High near 67, with temperatures falling to around 62 in the afternoon. North wind 10 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.

N 17 mph27 km/h
Sunday Night
36°F2°C
Partly Cloudy

Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

NE 6 mph10 km/h
Monday
66°F19°C
Sunny

Sunny, with a high near 66.

SE 9 mph14 km/h
Monday Night
42°F6°C
Mostly Clear

Mostly clear, with a low around 42.

SE 11 mph18 km/h
Tuesday
74°F23°C
Sunny

Sunny, with a high near 74.

SE 12 mph19 km/h
Tuesday Night
48°F9°C
Partly Cloudy

Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.

S 11 mph18 km/h Rain: 1%
Wednesday
74°F23°C
Mostly Sunny

Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.

S 10 mph16 km/h Rain: 4%
Wednesday Night
47°F8°C
Partly Cloudy

Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.

S 8 mph12 km/h Rain: 8%
Thursday
73°F23°C
Mostly Sunny

Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

SE 10 mph16 km/h Rain: 11%

Weather alerts

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued October 15 at 11:48AM MDT until October 16 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD

* WHAT...For the Wind Advisory, northwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. For the Freeze Warning, sub-freezing temperatures as low as 27 expected. * WHERE...Portions of northwestern and southwestern South Dakota. * WHEN...For the Wind Advisory, until 11 PM MDT this evening. For the Freeze Warning, from 9 PM this evening to 9 AM MDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Sudden wind gusts can cause drivers to lose control, especially in lightweight or high profile vehicles. Strong winds can cause blowing dust, reduced visibility, and flying debris. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. Secure outdoor objects. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued October 15 at 11:48AM MDT until October 15 at 11:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD

* WHAT...For the Wind Advisory, northwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. For the Freeze Warning, sub-freezing temperatures as low as 27 expected. * WHERE...Portions of northwestern and southwestern South Dakota. * WHEN...For the Wind Advisory, until 11 PM MDT this evening. For the Freeze Warning, from 9 PM this evening to 9 AM MDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Sudden wind gusts can cause drivers to lose control, especially in lightweight or high profile vehicles. Strong winds can cause blowing dust, reduced visibility, and flying debris. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. Secure outdoor objects. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

Disclaimer

Check the weather forecast before planning this activity.

Weather, wind, precipitation and temperature can vary by location and time. Prepare appropriate clothing and equipment and check official alerts and park guidance.

Forecasts can change and local conditions may vary. Check official weather alerts and park guidance before your visit.

Location and map

View this park in your preferred navigation app for directions and nearby places.

More Things To Do at Badlands National Park

Explore Things To Do at Badlands National Park

Information & Disclaimer

National Parks Explorer strives to present accurate and up-to-date information collected from official and trusted sources, including the National Park Service. While we make every effort to keep this information current, information may be incomplete, inaccurate, outdated or subject to change without prior notice, including access requirements, permits, reservations, operating hours, alerts, fees, road and trail conditions, weather and other visitor information.

Read more Read less

Always verify the latest information with the relevant official source before making travel plans, reservations, purchases or visiting a park.

National Parks Explorer is an independent information platform provided through national-parks-usa.com and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service or other data providers. All information is provided for general informational and planning purposes only and is used entirely at your own risk. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, National Parks Explorer and national-parks-usa.com cannot be held responsible or liable for any loss, damage, injury, inconvenience, missed reservation, travel disruption, financial loss, additional expense or other costs resulting from the use of, or reliance upon, information provided through this website.

Back
Top