What to Know Before You Go

Is the Badlands worth seeing?

Contrary to its name, the Badlands are quite beautiful! The area was originally named mako sica or bad lands by the Lakota people because of its rocky terrain, extreme temperatures, and lack of water. Now, it’s a great place to take in the landscape and see wildlife.

What is the Badlands best known for?

Badlands National Park has one of the world’s richest fossil beds. It is also home to many species today, including bison and prairie dogs.

What is the best time of year to visit the Badlands?

Early Fall (September) is the best time to visit Badlands National Park since the temperatures are cool and mild and crowds have dissipated.

Can you drive through the Badlands at night?

The Badlands Loop Road is open to vehicles 24 hours a day. Just drive carefully, and watch out for wildlife on the road.

Do you need reservations for the Badlands?

You can visit Badlands National Park without reservations. If you plan on staying nearby, book early since accommodations can book up during the high season.

Badlands National Park Entrance Fee. How much does it cost to drive through the badlands? Can you drive through the badlands without paying?

Badlands National Park Fees are as follows (all are good for seven days):
$30 Private Vehicle (for a car and its occupants)
$15 Individual (hikers or bikers)
$25 Motorcycle
$55 Badlands National Park Annual Fee
$80 National Park Annual Pass

To drive through the National Park, you will need to pay the park entrance fees unless you have a National Park Annual Pass.

Hours of Operation

Badlands National Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the winter or extreme weather conditions, roads may be closed.

Which entrance to Badlands is best?

The most popular drive at Badlands National Park is the Badlands Loop Road starting in the town of Wall. It will take you through viewpoints, trailheads, and the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.

How much time do you need in Badlands National Park?

Park rangers recommend two full days to experience the park.

Is Badlands National Park busy?

Overall, it’s one of the least visited national parks in the US and is much less crowded than parks like Zion, Yosemite, and Yellowstone. The busiest time at Badlands is in the summer, particularly July and August.

What are the current conditions at Badlands National Park?

Check out their official site for the park’s current conditions.

Geography / Overview Map (North & South Unit) – How far do the badlands stretch?

The park has two units. The North Unit has two main roads and is the most popular part of the park. The South Unit doesn’t have any roads that go through it, but you can drive up Sheep Mountain Table and do a scenic drive around the South Unit. The Badlands stretch for a hundred miles through the plains of South Dakota.

Best Things to Do / What Should I Not Miss at Badlands National Park?

1. Badlands Loop Road

The Badlands Loop Road is one of the best ways to see the park. It’s a roughly 40-mile stretch with dozens of overlooks and pull-outs to explore. It takes 1-2 hours to drive, depending on how often you stop.

Most people start from the Wall sound, but since it’s a two-lane highway, you can drive in either direction. Here are some highlights.

Badlands WallPinnacles Overlook (good for sunset)Yellow Hills of the BadlandsYellow Mounds OverlookConata Basin Overlook (good for sunset)Panorama Point (good for sunset)White River Valley OverlookBig Badlands Overlook (good for sunrise)

Local Tip: Wildlife is common along the road, so drive carefully.

More Things to Do at Badlands National Park

Sunset at Conata Basin, the Pinnacles Overlook, Norbeck Pass, Panorama PointConata Basin RoadBackcountry Hike: Sage Creek Wilderness Area or Deer Haven Wilderness AreaSheep Mountain Overlook off Sheep Mountain Table Road (gravel road)Red Shirt Table Overlook, Highway 41, South Unit – Drive Around South UnitPrairie Grass OverlookWildlife: Bison, Bighorn Sheep, Rattlesnakes, Prairie Dogs, mule deer, coyotes, pronghorn antelope, porcupine StargazingHorseback RidingBikingNight Sky Viewings – while it’s not a designated dark sky park, it’s still amazing for star gazing.

How to Get There

What city is closest to the Badlands?

Badlands National Park is located 75 miles east of Rapid City, South Dakota. The Park Headquarters address is:

25216 Ben Reifel Rd
Interior, SD 57750 (map)

By Plane: If you’re flying in, Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is the closest major airport roughly 55 miles away. Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, and United fly in and out of Rapid City. You can then grab a rental car and drive to the park.

By Car: If you are driving in, here are the distances from some of the nearby cities:

75 miles Rapid City, South Dakota275 miles from Sioux Falls, South Dakota370 miles from Denver, Colorado450 miles from Omaha, Nebraska500 miles from Minneapolis, Minnesota

Visitor Centers at Badlands National Park

There are two Visitor Centers at Badlands National Park.

Ben Reifel Visitor Center (25216 SD-240, Interior, SD 57750, map) at the North Unit is where the park headquarters are located. There are exhibits, an air-conditioned theater, and restroom facilities. Current hours from November to March are 9 AM to 4 PM.

White River Visitor Center (43.5340291,-102.6283376, map) is located in the South Unit on the Pine Ridge Reservation. You’ll find an information desk, exhibits, and restrooms here. It is currently closed between October and April.

Hikes at Badlands National Park

Here is a list of all the official park trails in Badlands National Park. For the most up-to-date info and current trail conditions, stop by the Visitor Center for more info.

Door Trail | 0.75 miles out and back, easyWindow Trail | 0.25 miles out and back, easyFossil Exhibit Trail | 0.25 miles out and back, easyNotch Trail | 1.5 miles out and back, moderateCastle Trail | 5 miles point to point, moderateCliff Shelf | 0.5 miles loop, moderateMedicine Root Loop | 4 miles out and back, moderateSaddle Pass | 0.25 miles out and back, strenuous

Local Tip: Badlands National Park has an Open Hike Policy meaning that you are allowed to hike off-trail as long as it is not marked otherwise. With that in mind, please be good stewards of the land and be prepared for hiking since cell service isn’t always available in the backcountry. If you see any wildlife, maintain a distance of at least 100 feet (if the wildlife notices you, you are too close).

Overlooks at Badlands National Park

Overlooks are a great way to see the park without having to hike. Since there are so many pullouts with amazing views and information signs, you can learn a lot at these spots. Here is a list of all the park’s overlooks.

Ancient Hunters Overlook – expansive views of the Badlands and exhibits about the history of paleo-IndiansBadlands Wilderness Overlook – expansive views of the parkBig Badlands Overlook – eastern portion of the Badlands WallBigfoot Pass Overlook (includes a picnic area)Burns Basin Overlook – fully accessible boardwalkConata Basin Overlook – accessible boardwalk with exhibits discussing climate changeHay Butte Overlook – see Badlands formations and grassy ecosystemsHomestead Overlook – scenic viewpoints and exhibits discussing the homesteading historyPanorama Point Overlook – a view towards White River ValleyPinnacles Overlook – one of the most popular overlooks with unique geology and dramatic sunsetsPrairie Wind Overlook – vast prairie landscapeRed Shirt Table Overlook – significant geologic and scenic features in the South UnitSage Creek Basin Overlook – expansive views of the mixed-grass prairie environmentSheep Mountain Table Overlook – views of South Unit and the Black HillsWhite River Valley Overlook – the upper portion of the White River GroupYellow Mounds Overlook – one of the more colorful features of the park

Seasonal Events at Badlands National Park

Badlands Astronomy Festival (August)National Fossil Day at South Dakota School of Mines (October)

Where to Eat at Badlands National Park

What food options are there in the park? With limited food options in the park, it’s a good idea to bring snacks if you’re spending all day or multiple days in the park.

The only place to buy food in Badlands National Park is at the Cedar Pass Lodge where there is a sit-down restaurant and a place to pick up snacks. There are also picnic areas at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, Big Foot Pass Overlook, Conata Picnic Area, and White River Visitor Center. Just be sure to pack out what you pack in.

Here are a few other nearby areas to eat.

Wall Drug Store (souvenir shops/cafes, )Two Bit Saloon & Steakhouse (steakhouses, )Wagon Wheel Bar & Grill (American, )Harry’s Hideaway Restaurant & Family Dining (American, )Stompin’ Grounds (breakfast & brunch, )

Where to Stay at Badlands National Park

There are a few different places to spend a night in Badlands National Park. The only lodging in the park is at Cedar Pass Lodge which offers cabin rentals.

There are also a couple of camping options in Badlands National park.

Cedar Pass Campground has 96 sites some of which are designated for RV camping with electric hookups. You can make reservations here.Sage Creek Campground has 22 first-come-first-serve free sites that only fit vehicles or RVs up to 18 feet.Backcountry camping is also an option and is permitted anywhere as long as it is 0.5 miles from the road or trail and not visible from a trail or roadway. Some of the most popular spots are Deer Haven and the Sage Creek Wilderness Area.

Outside of the park, you can find a few options in Wall, South Dakota. Otherwise, you can stay in Rapid City with a lot more options. Check the map below for hotels and rentals.

Badlands National Park Tips & FAQs

Are there restrooms at Badlands National Park? Full restrooms are available inside the Visitor Centers. Otherwise, there are vault bathrooms (no running water) located near major trailheads.Are dogs allowed at Badlands National Park? Pets are allowed in Badlands National Park but must be kept on a leash no more than six feet long.What can I bring into the Badlands? You should bring items to help keep you comfortable when exploring the park. That includes appropriate gear, plenty of water, and snacks. Check out our packing list below for more.Are there showers in Badlands National Park? There are pay-per-use showers available in the summer at the Cedar Pass Campground.Can you have campfires in the Badlands? Due to fire danger, campfires are not allowed in Badlands National Park. You can however bring your camp stove or contained charcoal grill to use at the campgrounds or picnic areas. Backpacking stoves are allowed in the backcountry.Is there Wifi or phone signal in Badlands? Wifi is available at the Visitor Centers. The cell signal is spotty at the park. It’s a good idea to download offline Google maps to help you navigate when you don’t have service.What camera gear should I bring? To capture the landscape, bring wide lenses with you. A long lens is also helpful since you’ll encounter wildlife and need to keep your distance.What is the best guidebook for Badlands National Park? If you want a physical guidebook, check out The Black Hills of South Dakota by Fodor’s which includes Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park.What is the best map of Badlands National Park? The NatGeo Map of Badlands National Park is waterproof, tear-resistant, and includes trails and topographical info.

What to Pack

Sunscreen, sun protectionDown jackets in Spring / FallFoodHiking shoes if you plan on doing moderate to challenging hikes.Reusable bottlesDay packCamera

Don’t know what to wear to the airport? Here are my ideal airport outfits.