i live in south dakota. (rapid city)

the badlands are awesome!!!

go in late spring i'd say....probably may would be best for two reasons.

1. in summer, tourists are ALL OVER that region of south dakota. the badlands are one of the most visited places here in SD, so if you want to be alone and enjoy the beauty, you dont want to come in june/july/august.

2. during the winter it is FUCKING COLD!!!!(esp nights!!) but april-may is when it starts getting warm. it stays warm till i'd say mid september-late september.

so yea to really enjoy the beautiful sunsets/rises, starfilled skies, and great views, in my opinion you need to come when its warm and you wont freeze your ass off sleeping outside.