Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

Caution Navigation

Do not rely on GPS digital navigation systems to find your way to Badlands National Park. Please note that the Visitor Center at 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior SD 57750 is located just off I-90.

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Overview

The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Auto and ATV
  • Scenic Driving
  • Astronomy
  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Car or Front Country Camping
  • Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
  • Compass and GPS
  • Food
  • Hiking
  • Horse Trekking
  • Horse Camping (see also camping)
  • Horseback Riding
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Park Film
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store
  • Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Badlands National Park: The park is open to visitors all year with the exception of weather closures.

Fees and passes

  • Entrance - Private Vehicle — $30.00
  • Entrance - Motorcycle — $25.00
  • Entrance - Per Person — $15.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Sedan — $25.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Van — $50.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus — $60.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach — $150.00
  • Annual Entrance - Park — $55.00

The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at federal recreation lands across all four agencies.

Getting there

Badlands National Park is located 75 miles east of Rapid City, South Dakota. Physical Addresses for GPS* Park Headquarters: 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior, SD 57750. Northeast Entrance (I-90, Exit 131): 21020 SD Hwy 240, Interior, SD 57750. Pinnacles Entrance (I-90, Exit 110): 24240 Hwy 240, Wall, SD 57790. Interior Entrance: 20640 SD Hwy 377, Interior, SD 57750.

Visitor centers

Campgrounds

  • Sage Creek Campground (22 sites)
  • Cedar Pass Campground (96 sites) — reserve

Weather

The Badlands weather is variable and unpredictable with temperature extremes ranging from 116° F to -40° F. Summers are hot and dry with occasional violent thunderstorms. Hailstorms and occasional tornadoes can descend on the Badlands with sudden fury. Winters are typically cold with 12 to 24 inches of total snowfall.

Phone: 6054335361

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

The yellow mounds are peaking out of the formations in this photo.
Badlands Yellow Mounds · NPS Photo
Badlands formations are very rugged and often have sharp peaks.
Badlands Rugged Peaks · NPS Photo
Jagged badlands buttes extended in horizon amid yellow flowers under a blue sky.
Clover Landscape · NPS Photo
road leading between snow covered badlands formations
Badlands in the Winter · NPS Photo/Brad Barker

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