Stronghold Unit
The Stronghold Unit is co-managed with the Oglala Sioux Tribe and includes sites of 1890s Ghost Dances. The land is contained within the Pine Ridge Indain Reservation. Visitors to the Stronghold Unit will find the same spectacular rock formations and mixed grass prairie as in the North Unit, but with a more remote and desolate feel. There are no established trails in the Stronghold Unit. You may hike anywhere in this region, but you must be familiar with navigation and routefinding, as it is easy to get disoriented.

A visit to Sheep Mountain Table will reward the visitor with one of Badlands National Park's most outstanding vistas. This 4 mile long plateau is surrounded by steep drop offs and is accessible by a 7 mile dirt road which is passable ohly when dry. Because this is a sacred place for the Lakota people, do not disturb any religious artifacts or prople participating in religious activities.

Permit Information
No permit is required, but all backpackers are urged to stop at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Backpackers may camp anywhere in the park that is at least one-half mile from any road or trail and not visible from park roads. No fires are permitted.

Directions
From Hwy. 44, head south on 589/27 at Scenic, 20 miles to White River Visitor Center. Unimproved roads provide access deep into the Stronghold Unit. These roads are impassable when wet.

Information Center
White River Visitor Center is open from June to late August.

Activities