Jeff Goulden Badlands Pictures, Images and Stock Photos

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of the badlands at sunset was taken from Golden Valley County, just outside the national park.

Badlands are a particular type of rock formation found in arid regions around the world. These formations require poorly consolidated rock and infrequent but torrential rain. The soft rock allows large quantities of water to channel down gullies, carrying away sediment. Bentonite clay within these formations can swell up with moisture. As the clay dries it shrinks and cracks, creating a surface resembling the skin of an elephant. Beneath the surface, an intricate maze of natural pipes and spaces form within the badlands. This hidden plumbing appears on the face of the badlands as dimples, sinks, slumps and seeps. As erosion continues, new features including caves and natural bridges can form. Badlands often take on varied colors giving the formations a banded appearance. These colorful badland formations were at Blue Mesa in Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, Arizona, USA.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a classic badland formation was taken from the Caprock Coulee Trail.

The Painted Desert is an interesting and colorful part of Northern Arizona. It starts south of Holbrook and extends about 120 miles north almost to the Utah border. It encompasses about 7,500 square miles of the Colorado Plateau. The area is made up of colorful mudstone and sandstone known as the Chinle Formation. The rocks of the Chinle Formation were deposited from 227 to 205 million years ago during the Triassic Period. Over the next 180 million years the rocks were buried, uplifted and then eroded into the present-day badland topography. This photograph of the Painted Desert was taken from Little Painted Desert County Park near Winslow, Arizona, USA.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a bison herd (Bison bison) was taken from the Jones Creek area.

Badlands are a particular type of rock formation found in arid regions around the world. These formations require poorly consolidated rock and infrequent but torrential rain. The soft rock allows large quantities of water to channel down gullies, carrying away sediment. Bentonite clay within these formations can swell up with moisture. As the clay dries it shrinks and cracks, creating a surface resembling the skin of an elephant. Beneath the surface, an intricate maze of natural pipes and spaces form within the badlands. This hidden plumbing appears on the face of the badlands as dimples, sinks, slumps and seeps. As erosion continues, new features including caves and natural bridges can form. Badlands often take on varied colors giving the formations a banded appearance. These colorful badland formations were at Blue Mesa in Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, Arizona, USA.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a classic badland formation was taken from the Scenic Loop Drive.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of the badlands at sunset was taken from the Painted Canyon Overlook.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a prairie grassland was taken from the Scenic Loop Drive.

Petrified wood is formed when dead trees are buried by layers of sediment. The logs soak up groundwater and silica from volcanic ash and over time are crystallized into quartz. Different minerals create the colors seen in the logs. These petrified logs are at the Rainbow Forest in Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, Arizona, USA.

Badlands are a particular type of rock formation found in arid regions around the world. These formations require poorly consolidated rock and infrequent but torrential rain. The soft rock allows large quantities of water to channel down gullies, carrying away sediment. Bentonite clay within these formations can swell up with moisture. As the clay dries it shrinks and cracks, creating a surface resembling the skin of an elephant. Beneath the surface, an intricate maze of natural pipes and spaces form within the badlands. This hidden plumbing appears on the face of the badlands as dimples, sinks, slumps and seeps. As erosion continues, new features including caves and natural bridges can form. Badlands often take on varied colors giving the formations a banded appearance. These colorful badland formations were at Blue Mesa in Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, Arizona, USA.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a prairie grassland was taken from the Scenic Loop Drive.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of the badlands at sunset was taken from the Painted Canyon Overlook.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a classic badland formation was taken from the Scenic Loop Drive.

Gower Gulch is a one and a half mile canyon near Zabriskie Point on the eastern side of Death Valley in the Black Mountains. The Gower Gulch trail goes through some classic examples of badlands formations. Gower Gulch is named after Harry P. Gower, an official of the Pacific Coast Borax Company. The gulch contained mines, camps, and roads during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Gower Gulch is located in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a prairie grassland was taken from the Scenic Loop Drive.

Petrified wood is formed when dead trees are buried by layers of sediment. The logs soak up groundwater and silica from volcanic ash and over time are crystallized into quartz. Different minerals create the colors seen in the logs. These petrified logs are at the Rainbow Forest in Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, Arizona, USA.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of the badlands at sunset was taken from the Painted Canyon Overlook.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a lone sunflower was taken from the Scenic Loop Drive.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a prairie grassland was taken from the Scenic Loop Drive.

The Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a member of the Aster family. It is found in the wild in much of the eastern, southeastern and midwest United States. This group of flowers was photographed in the badlands along the Caprock Coulee Trail in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, USA.

Death Valley National Park, California, USA - April 02, 2018: Six hikers are on top of Zabriskie Point.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a bison herd (Bison bison) was taken from the North Unit of the park.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a classic badland formation was taken from the Scenic Loop Drive.

The Painted Desert is an interesting and colorful part of Northern Arizona. It starts south of Holbrook and extends about 120 miles north almost to the Utah border. It encompasses about 7,500 square miles of the Colorado Plateau. The area is made up of colorful mudstone and sandstone known as the Chinle Formation. The rocks of the Chinle Formation were deposited from 227 to 205 million years ago during the Triassic Period. Over the next 180 million years the rocks were buried, uplifted and then eroded into the present-day badland topography. This photograph of the Painted Desert was taken from Little Painted Desert County Park near Winslow, Arizona, USA.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a petrified log overlooking the Little Missouri River was taken from the Caprock Coulee Trail.

Gower Gulch is a one and a half mile canyon near Zabriskie Point on the eastern side of Death Valley in the Black Mountains. The Gower Gulch trail goes through some classic examples of badlands formations. Gower Gulch is named after Harry P. Gower, an official of the Pacific Coast Borax Company. The gulch contained mines, camps, and roads during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Gower Gulch is located in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

Gower Gulch is a one and a half mile canyon near Zabriskie Point on the eastern side of Death Valley in the Black Mountains. The Gower Gulch trail goes through some classic examples of badlands formations. Gower Gulch is named after Harry P. Gower, an official of the Pacific Coast Borax Company. The gulch contained mines, camps, and roads during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Gower Gulch is located in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

Gower Gulch is a one and a half mile canyon near Zabriskie Point on the eastern side of Death Valley in the Black Mountains. The Gower Gulch trail goes through some classic examples of badlands formations. Gower Gulch is named after Harry P. Gower, an official of the Pacific Coast Borax Company. The gulch contained mines, camps, and roads during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Gower Gulch is located in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

Gower Gulch is a one and a half mile canyon near Zabriskie Point on the eastern side of Death Valley in the Black Mountains. The Gower Gulch trail goes through some classic examples of badlands formations. Gower Gulch is named after Harry P. Gower, an official of the Pacific Coast Borax Company. The gulch contained mines, camps, and roads during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Gower Gulch is located in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a prairie grassland was taken from the Caprock Coulee Trail.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a prairie grassland was taken from the Scenic Loop Drive.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a prairie grassland was taken from the Caprock Coulee Trail.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a prairie grassland was taken from the Caprock Coulee Trail.

Gower Gulch is a one and a half mile canyon near Zabriskie Point on the eastern side of Death Valley in the Black Mountains. The Gower Gulch trail goes through some classic examples of badlands formations. Gower Gulch is named after Harry P. Gower, an official of the Pacific Coast Borax Company. The gulch contained mines, camps, and roads during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Gower Gulch is located in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

Death Valley National Park, California, USA - April 02, 2018: Two hikers are descending the trail from Zabriskie Point.

Death Valley National Park, California, USA - April 02, 2018: A lone woman hiker descends the trail from Zabriskie Point.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a prairie grassland was taken from the Caprock Coulee Trail.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies where the Great Plains meet the rugged Badlands near Medora, North Dakota, USA. The park's 3 units, linked by the Little Missouri River is a habitat for bison, elk and prairie dogs. The park's namesake, President Teddy Roosevelt once lived in the Maltese Cross Cabin which is now part of the park. This picture of a prairie grassland was taken from the Scenic Loop Drive.

Artist’s Drive crosses a sloping mountainside composed of vibrant soil colored by rich metals. The drive passes an area called the Artist’s Palette, which is among the unique landmarks in Death Valley. Artist’s Drive is in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast toward the Badwater Road. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Badwater Road is in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast toward the Badwater Road. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Badwater Road is in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast toward the Badwater Road. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Badwater Road is in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast toward the Badwater Road. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Badwater Road is in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast toward the Badwater Road. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Badwater Road is in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast toward the Badwater Road. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Badwater Road is in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast. These spectacular multi-colored "badlands" formations may be viewed close up in Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a dry wash that winds through the undulating hills. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Zabriskie Point and Twenty Mule Team Canyon are in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast. These spectacular multi-colored "badlands" formations may be viewed close up in Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a dry wash that winds through the undulating hills. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Zabriskie Point and Twenty Mule Team Canyon are in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast. These spectacular multi-colored "badlands" formations may be viewed close up in Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a dry wash that winds through the undulating hills. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Zabriskie Point and Twenty Mule Team Canyon are in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast. These spectacular multi-colored "badlands" formations may be viewed close up in Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a dry wash that winds through the undulating hills. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Zabriskie Point and Twenty Mule Team Canyon are in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast. These spectacular multi-colored "badlands" formations may be viewed close up in Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a dry wash that winds through the undulating hills. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Zabriskie Point and Twenty Mule Team Canyon are in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast. These spectacular multi-colored "badlands" formations may be viewed close up in Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a dry wash that winds through the undulating hills. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Zabriskie Point and Twenty Mule Team Canyon are in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast. These spectacular multi-colored "badlands" formations may be viewed close up in Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a dry wash that winds through the undulating hills. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Zabriskie Point and Twenty Mule Team Canyon are in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast. These spectacular multi-colored "badlands" formations may be viewed close up in Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a dry wash that winds through the undulating hills. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Zabriskie Point and Twenty Mule Team Canyon are in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast. These spectacular multi-colored "badlands" formations may be viewed close up in Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a dry wash that winds through the undulating hills. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Zabriskie Point and Twenty Mule Team Canyon are in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast. These spectacular multi-colored "badlands" formations may be viewed close up in Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a dry wash that winds through the undulating hills. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Zabriskie Point and Twenty Mule Team Canyon are in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast. These spectacular multi-colored "badlands" formations may be viewed close up in Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a dry wash that winds through the undulating hills. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Zabriskie Point and Twenty Mule Team Canyon are in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast. These spectacular multi-colored "badlands" formations may be viewed close up in Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a dry wash that winds through the undulating hills. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Zabriskie Point and Twenty Mule Team Canyon are in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast. These spectacular multi-colored "badlands" formations may be viewed close up in Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a dry wash that winds through the undulating hills. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Zabriskie Point and Twenty Mule Team Canyon are in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

The colorful landscape seen at Zabriskie Point extends several miles to the southeast. These spectacular multi-colored "badlands" formations may be viewed close up in Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a dry wash that winds through the undulating hills. The eroded formations have greatly contrasting colors - black or dark brown to the west, cream, yellow and white to the east. Zabriskie Point and Twenty Mule Team Canyon are in Death Valley National Park, California, USA.