Badlands National Park, located in southwestern South Dakota, is a stunning landscape characterized by its unique rock formations, expansive prairies, and rich fossil beds. The formations are unique and picturesque, especially during sunset and sunrise. Visitors can take in the breathtaking sights by taking scenic drives through the park. Numerous hiking trails also exist to explore the park’s formations, canyons, and vistas. In this travel guide, you will find all the best things to do and see in Badlands National Park. You will also find a sample travel itinerary to help you plan your adventure.
When to Go
Badlands National Park receives the most amount of visitors between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It is during these months that the weather is warmest, with daytime highs often exceeding 90°F. If you want to avoid high heat and large crowds, the shoulder seasons of spring (April to May) and fall (September to October) may be better times to visit. Winters are typically cold with 12 to 24 inches of total snowfall. With the rocks and canyons covered in snow, it is a completely different experience in the winter. We visited the Badlands during the first week of July and found the weather and crowds to be tolerable. It was surprisingly not as busy as we thought a national park would be so close to a holiday. We started our day as early as possible and dressed in layers so we were warm for the cooler mornings and cool for the warmer afternoons. We also used sunscreen throughout the day and had plenty of water to keep us hydrated.
Where to Stay
The only lodging within the park is Cedar Pass Lodge. These comfortable and rustic cabins are locally crafted with original 1928 design elements. Each cabin is equipped with handcrafted lodgepole pine furniture, air conditioning/heat, a TV with satellite, a mini fridge and freezer, a microwave, and a coffee maker. We stayed at the Cedar Pass Lodge during our visit and truly loved the experience. Our cabin came with an adorable back porch and rocking chairs that we fully enjoyed. It was also nice being so close to sights, especially for seeing the sunrise and sunset from nearby viewpoints. We highly recommend booking a cabin here during your stay. The lodge is open seasonally from the end of April through the end of October.
For those interested in camping, the park offers two official campgrounds. The Cedar Pass Campground is a paid campground with 96 sites. There is a mix of both RV and tent camping sites, with some RV sites containing electrical hookups. This campground is open seasonally from early April through mid-October.
Sage Creek Campground is a free, first-come first-serve campground with 22 sites. This campground is located on Sage Creek Rim Road, an unpaved road that may temporarily close after winter storms and spring rains. Motor homes, pull-behind trailers, and other recreational vehicles greater than 18 feet in length are prohibited. Sage Creek Campground is open year-round.
What to See and Do
Badlands Loop Road
Spanning from Cactus Flat to Wall, this 39-mile scenic route provides breathtaking panoramic views of the park’s distinctive rock formations, rugged landscapes, and expansive prairies. There are numerous designated pullouts and overlooks along the route where visitors can stop, take photos, and admire the dramatic scenery. Popular overlooks include Big Badlands Overlook, White River Valley Overlook, Bigfoot Pass Overlook, Panorama Point, Burns Basin Overlook, Conata Basin Overlook, Yellow Mounds Overlook, and Pinnacles Overlook. The drive also provides opportunities for wildlife spotting, including bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, deer, and various bird species. You can drive Badlands Loop Road in about an hour to an hour and a half without stopping. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to take in the sights.
Sage Creek Rim Drive
Sage Creek Rim Road (SD 590) is an unpaved road that travels through the Sage Creek Wilderness Area of Badlands National Park. From this road, you can find several designated pullouts and scenic overlooks including Hay Butte Overlook, Badlands Wilderness Overlook, Roberts Prairie Dog Town, and Sage Creek Basin Overlook. The road also provides opportunities for wildlife viewing including bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and a wide variety of birds. Note that Sage Creek Rim Road may be temporarily closed during or after heavy rain or snow. Check the park’s website or call in advance to check conditions.
Ben Reifel Visitor Center
The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is the main visitor center in Badlands National Park, located near the northeast entrance. The visitor center serves as an educational hub, providing visitors with information about the park’s geology, wildlife, history, and conservation efforts through exhibits, displays, and interactive materials. Knowledgeable park rangers are available to assist visitors by providing guidance, answering questions, and offering educational programs or ranger-led activities. At the visitor center, you can also obtain maps, brochures, and other resources to help plan your exploration of the park. If you’re interested in the paleontology of Badlands National Park, don’t miss the Fossil Preparation Lab. There, you can chat with park paleontologists as they gradually remove rock from specimens to reveal fossils. You can find more information about the visitor center here.
See the Sunset or Sunrise
As the sun sets over the Badlands, the sky often transforms into a vibrant canvas, displaying hues of orange, pink, purple, and red, casting a warm glow over the rugged formations. The fading light creates striking silhouettes of the eroded spires, buttes, and canyons, emphasizing their intricate and otherworldly shapes against the colorful sky. The best locations in the park to witness the sunset include Pinnacles Overlook, Conata Basin Overlook, Bigfoot Pass Picnic Area, and Norbeck Pass Area. Another event to witness in the park is sunrise. The changing light at sunrise gradually illuminates the intricate layers and formations of the Badlands, revealing different textures and details that might not be as pronounced during other times of the day. It is a serene and peaceful atmosphere as the park slowly awakens to the soft light of dawn. The best locations to watch the sunrise include Big Badlands Overlook, Door Trail, Norbeck Pass Area, Dillon Pass Area, and Panorama Point.
Enjoy the Night Sky
The night sky at Badlands National Park offers an incredible opportunity for stargazing and experiencing the wonders of the cosmos. The park’s remote location and efforts to limit artificial light make it an ideal destination for viewing the stars, planets, and celestial phenomena with remarkable clarity. To experience the best night sky views, head to remote areas within the park away from artificial lights. Additionally, time your visit during moonless or low moon phases for optimal stargazing conditions. Consider bringing binoculars or a telescope for a closer look at the stars and planets. Additionally, a red flashlight can be useful for navigating without disrupting night vision. Badlands National Park occasionally hosts ranger-led night sky programs, including astronomy talks, telescope viewing events, and guided stargazing sessions. You can find more information here.
Wall Drug
Wall Drug is a famous tourist attraction located in the town of Wall, near the entrance to the Badlands National Park. It was founded in 1931 by Ted and Dorothy Hustead during the Great Depression. To attract customers to their small drugstore, the Husteads offered free ice water to travelers passing through the area, which became a successful marketing strategy. Today, visitors can shop a wide array of souvenirs, clothing, western-themed items, and artwork. There are multiple dining options including restaurants and cafes serving meals, snacks, and homemade pastries. Wall Drug also features various family-friendly attractions such as animatronic displays, a Western art gallery, a giant jackalope, a chapel, and a backyard with a playground. The iconic billboards advertising Wall Drug can be spotted across several states on I-90 including Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, and Wyoming. The signs announce to travelers how many miles left to drive before reaching Wall Drug, as well as promises of free ice water, 5-cent coffee, and other attractions.
Take a Hike
Door Trail
This short trail leads through a natural opening, or door, in the Badlands Wall to a panoramic view of the Badlands. From there, the boardwalk trail ends and continues onto Badlands bedrock, with yellow posts marking the primitive portion of the trail. The Door Trail is 0.9 miles with very minimal elevation gain. It is classified as an easy hike.
Window Trail
A very short walk will lead you to a natural hole, or window, in a rock wall. From here, you will see more of the distinctive Badlands pinnacles and spires. The Window Trail is 0.3 miles with 13 feet in elevation gain. It is classified as an easy hike.
Notch Trail
This is our favorite hike at Badlands National Park! This short trail takes you over difficult terrain and up a ladder. The trail leads to “the notch” for a dramatic view of the White River Valley. Although the views are incredible, the journey to get there is just as rewarding. Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep as you hike this trail. The Notch Trail is 1.5 miles with 127 feet of elevation gain. The difficulty level is classified as moderately challenging.
Castle Trail
The park’s longest trail runs about five miles (10.3 miles round trip) one way between the Fossil Exhibit Trail and the parking area for the Door and Window Trails. The hike offers incredible views of Badlands formations and prairie fields. Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and rattlesnakes. Castle Trail is 10.3 miles with 305 feet of elevation gain. It is classified as moderately challenging.
Cliff Shelf Nature Trail
This short loop winds through a juniper forest perched along the Badlands wall. Look for chipmunks, squirrels, red-winged blackbirds, eagles, hawks, vultures, and deer. Cliff Shelf Nature Trail is 0.5 miles with minimal elevation gain. It is classified as an easy hike.
Fossil Exhibit Trail
This short boardwalk trail has fossil replicas of early mammals displayed at various exhibits along the trail. The replica fossils displayed here are extinct animals that once lived in the area. Fossil Exhibit Trail is an easy 0.4 miles with only 9 feet in elevation gain.
Badlands Travel Itinerary
Are you ready to start planning your Badlands National Park adventure? Start by downloading our easy to customize sample travel itinerary. Easily make changes to the document to make it fit your schedule and interests.