My heart is so full because this lovely place is in my home state. I was under this weird impression that waterfalls couldn't exist in Nebraska. Too much flat land and cows I guess.

Google, you are a beautiful thing. Thank you for giving me local adventures and being so much smarter than me. 

Not gonna lie, I thought about skipping this place. I had just spent two uncomfortable days in a cabin with more fear than I wanna admit. I was not up for exploring. I wanted to be in my hometown sitting by a fire, drinking hot chocolate, and editing photos. Instead, I was fearfully trying to find a gas station in the middle of nowhere South Dakota at 5 freakin' thirty am. 

Eventually I found one and after a hot cup of Casey's coffee, I was ready to let God run my day and the events that would fill it. Before, I contemplated skipping the falls and heading straight to my next hotel. After, I realized that a trip to Smith Falls would help me arrive at my hotel around check-in time and not hours before. Man, if I would have left straight for the Badlands that day, I would have killed some serious joy God was tryin' give me. Here's seven tips for visiting the falls...

1. Smith Falls is located on the outskirts of Valentine, Nebraska. Here's the address:  90615 Smith Falls Rd, Valentine, NE 69201. I read online reviews about the falls being difficult to find, but I found it pretty easily with this address and watching people closely who were returning from the falls. 

2. You can buy your park pass in the park office, which is the first building you'll see entering the park. The entrance to the building is the opposite side of the parking lot. Click here for office hours.

3. Entry Permit:

• Day pass- Nebraska plates $6 // Annual pass- $31 
• Day pass- Out of state plates $8 // Annual pass- $46
• America the Beautiful pass (which gives you access to all national parks) // Annual pass- $80 // You can buy one here!

4. To reach the falls, you need to head down the staircase right outside of the park office.

5. At the bottom of the staircase, you'll hang a sharp right onto a white rock path and cross THIS bridge over the Niobrara.

6. I was a bit intimidated by the walk and the fact that I had no idea where I was going. Thankfully, this experience will help you find the falls smoothly! After you're off the bridge, you should notice a winding wood deck. This walk is a little creepy alone but hey, so so worth it. 

7. Bring an actual camera if you have one. These falls are freakin' magical. I was surprised to be the only one there, but dang I was so blessed to be. It was probably one of the coolest moments of my life. 
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Next time someone says Nebraska is boring, imma whip my phone out so fast and show them this waterfall. I can't believe I went 20 years without knowing about this place. How well do you know your home state? 

*What is your absolute favorite waterfall experience?

​*Do you have a bucket list for your home state? What's on it?
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I dreamed about watching the sunrise in this park and yet when I woke up that morning it was 8am. :( I do this all the time, so I said a little prayer about how I would not let this ruin my day. I was nervous though, since it was Friday morning and it was pretty busy the night before.

Regardless, I paid $20 for a pass so I was definitely going back. The minute I walked out of my hotel, I knew things would be okay. It was cold and windy. Sometimes I feel like God arranges things too perfectly.

At the park, I noticed there wasn't near as many people as the night before. Which made getting around easier and ultimately better to get some great shots. Here's my insider's guide on how to get the most out of your visit to this pretty place.
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Where to stay:

• I stayed at Americas Best Value Inn in Kadoka, which is about a half hour from the Northeast Entrance of the park. There's nothing spectacular about this hotel, but I felt safe alone and it was clean. The population of this tiny town is around 700, yet it wasn't difficult to find a good place to eat or get gas.
• When we went as a family years ago, we stayed in Wall. This area is a little more kid friendly, considering this is where the famous Wall Drug Store is located. 

​Remember how I said I only paint the nails on my left hand? Example A. Lol back to the guide...
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Entering the park:
There are three entrances for the park-

• Northeast Entrance: I-90, Exit 131 (21020 SD Hwy 240, Interior, SD 57750)
• Pinnacles Entrance: I-90, Exit 110 (24240 Hwy 240, Wall, SD 57790)
• Interior Entrance: (20640 SD Hwy 377, Interior, SD 57750)

*Click here for more information on directions. 

You have three options when it comes to entrance fees-

• $20 for one vehicle, which last seven days
• $40 for an annual Badlands National Park Pass
• $80 for an annual America the Beautiful Pass (gets you into all national parks)

*This park also does FREE entry days. I wish I knew this sooner. Here's the list of what days they fall on.
*Your best bet is to pay for your pass at the entrance station. It can take months to receive one that you ordered online. 
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The park is open year round 24/7.
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​What to do: 

• Drive the Badlands Loop and give yourself plenty of time to do it. I didn't expect to get lost, but it became the highlight of my trip. If I was worried about straying too far, I might've missed my favorite lookout spots. 
• Stop when ya feel like it. Not only are there a number of lookouts, there is also a shoulder with extra space at least every ten feet. This place is tourist friendly to the max. I was pleased that I could pull over just about anywhere.
• Find a spot to camp overnight in one of their two campgrounds: Cedar Pass or Sage Creek. This is something I wish had done more research on. I'll have to make an effort to camp next time I'm in the area. I can't imagine waking up to those kinda views dude. 

Camping fee-

• $22 per night (without electrical)
• $37 (with electrical)

*Those fees cover two people at a campsite. For each additional person it is $4.
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• This happened by accident, but I know you can post up in a certain area and be more likely to see wildlife. I'm not a MUST SEE WILDLIFE/or a I LIVE FOR WILDLIFE fan, so I hadn't penciled this in on my to do list. Although, as I was trying to find a way to exit the park, I somehow found myself five feet away from these cute deer. (If they are not deer I am sorry because I am not a diehard wildlife expert.) My bad for only gettin' their booty, I had impatient drivers behind me and feared these animals would jump in my car. (Yes I know this is unrealistic but when you use to have to write fictional stories for your major you imagine things like this lol)

 ​*According to the Badlands National Park website, you are likely to see bison near Sage Creek Rim Road and sheep by Cedar Pass or the Pinnacle area. I saw these guys below on the Badlands loop.
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• Hike one of their eight trails. Here's a list that gives you the distance of each trail and a description of what it's like.
• Enjoy their Night Sky Program in the summertime. This program includes telescope use and a ranger pointing out specific things in the sky. 
  

Where: Cedar Pass Amphitheater
When: Friday through Monday nights

Here are six of my favorite overlooks:

• Big Badlands Overlook
• White River Valley Overlook
• Big Foot Pass Overlook
• Panorama Point
• Burns Basin Overlook
• Pinnacles Overlook

*To download the park map click here.
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After my first night visit, I was crazy hungry when I got back to Kadoka. Luckily, I chose this town specifically cause Trey and I stopped there a few months back. We ate at this place called Sunset Grill and I never got a chance to feature it here on the blog. 

I was ecstatic when I rolled into town because I had no idea my hotel was right next door to this restaurant! Again, seriously, God's arrangement for things. Anyway, this food is suuuper good. The first time I ordered the Philly Steak Sub and it was like the best one I've ever had. IN A TOWN OF 700. THE BEST PHILLY STEAK. I need a Food Network show. "Tiny Towns and Their Treats." Idk just an idea. 

When I was by myself, I ordered the fried chicken deal, cause Trey got it the time before and it looked hellaaa good. It was bomb to eat, especially after munching on gas station food all day. Check it out homies.
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Overall, I had a blast exploring this park by myself. AND I COULD DO WHATEVER I WANTED CAUSE I WAS ALONE. Where you wanna go? You should leave tomorrow. I'll go with if you're that nervous.

*Have you ever explored a State or National Park by yourself? What was your experience like?

*Did I miss one of your favorite activities at this park? What was it? Is it seasonal?
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