South Dakota: Badlands

Today, we would like to show you a preview of one of the most famous and unique landscapes we have been recreating for the South Dakota DLC for American Truck Simulator - the beautiful Badlands National Park!

Situated along the edge of the Great Plains in southwestern South Dakota, Badlands National Park spans 244,000 acres of dramatically eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires, alongside the largest protected mixed-grass prairie in the United States.

But why is such a stunning area named Badlands? For hundreds of years, the Lakota people have called it "mako sica", which translates to "bad lands". Then, early French fur trappers called the area "les mauvaises terres à traverser" (bad lands to travel across). Because when it rains there, the wet clay becomes sticky, and the jagged canyons also make it hard to navigate. The winters are cold and windy, and the summers are hot and dry. But it could have had a very different name, as in 1922, when Badlands was first proposed as a national park, the suggested name was Wonderland National Park.

The Badlands contain one of the world's richest fossil beds, preserving evidence of ancient species such as horses and rhinos that once roamed the region. Today, the area is home to bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and a diverse range of other plant and animal life. As players enter this region in the game, they will be immediately greeted by roaming bison and striking rock formations.

As you drive further, you'll come across iconic places like Pinnacles Overlook, Yellow Mounds Overlook, and the Fossil Trail.

"I fell in love with this place the first time we visited it on our research trip; it's like stepping into another world, where lush green grass blends with the colorful local soil and rolling hills," says Draky, our map designer who worked on recreating this national park for our game.

One thing you may notice in this region is the sudden transition from expansive plains and gentle hills to a dramatic, iconic landscape characterized by rugged formations and large wildlife such as the bison. As the seasons change, the Badlands vegetation undergoes significant shifts in color throughout the year. The version depicted in the game reflects how the landscape appears between July and August, in which the game is set.

Draky also shares her insight on how difficult it was to transfer this wonderful area into the scale of American Truck Simulator, with a message to our community: "The biggest challenge was the initial layout planning, as the space is quite limited, but I'm still very happy with the result, and I'm sure you'll love experiencing this place every time you pass through."

We hope you are looking forward to exploring the Badlands. If so, make sure to add the South Dakota DLC to your Steam wishlist! 

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