While South Dakota and Utah's badlands might be better known, New Mexico's colorful rock formations and remote badland wilderness is worth a visit.

Much of this volcanic ash comes from the Great Basin, a geographic area within which the states of Utah and Nevada lie today.

The closest major airport to Badlands National Park is in Rapid City, South Dakota. From there ... This scenic road takes you up to the Cathedral Spires, beautiful rock formations with rugged hikes to ...