Nestled in the rugged and awe-inspiring landscapes of South Dakota, Badlands National Park is a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. With its dramatic rock formations, striking colors, and abundant wildlife, this national park offers an unforgettable experience! In this post, we’ll reveal the best things to do in Badlands National Park, so get ready for a South Dakotan adventure!
Helpful Information
Getting to Badlands National Park
Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is the closest major airport, located just 55 miles east of Badlands National Park. The areas surrounding the Badlands are fairly remote, so renting a car is your best bet!
When to Visit Badlands National Park
The best time to visit Badlands National Park is during the fall or spring when there are fewer crowds, and cooler temperatures. You will want to avoid visiting during the summer when temperatures can can rise past 100 degrees and bad thunderstorms with hail and tornadoes are a greater possibility. In the winter, the temperatures are very cold, and snow becomes more likely, making travel throughout South Dakota more difficult if you are not used to driving in the snow.
We visited during October, and found the temperatures to be very pleasant during the day and cool at night. However, in this open prairieland, the weather can change very drastically so you will want to come prepared regardless of the season that you chose to visit!
Where to Stay in Badlands
Inside of the Park
Cedar Pass Lodge is the only lodge in the park. There are also two campgrounds within the park, Cedar Pass Campground and Sage Creek Campground. During our visit, we stayed at Cedar Pass Campground and loved how centrally located it was to popular trailheads and park amenities and we were in awe of the views surrounding the campground!
Cedar Pass Campground has tent and RV sites, in addition to a bathroom with running water and the campground accepts reservations. Sage Creek Campground is more remote, and only offers free first-come, first-served sites and does not have running water, only pit toilets are provided. It is also important to note that RVs are not allowed at Sage Creek Campground.
Badlands National Park is an open hike park, meaning that you are free to hike and camp off-trail as long as you stay 1/2 mile from any roads or trails and stay out of sight. Backcountry camping in the park is free and does not require a permit. However, for safety, it is encouraged that you let a park ranger know where you plan to camp before heading out. The park rangers also provide excellent recommendations for backcountry routes!
Outside of the Park
You can find additional lodging options in the surrounding towns of Wall or Interior. Since the towns are fairly small, there is only a handful of options to choose from. For a unique stay, checkout Circle View Guest Ranch where you stay on a working cattle ranch.
Things to Do in Badlands National Park
Take a hike!
Badlands National Park is a hiking haven with trails for every skill level. From short, easy trails that offer a peek into the park’s stunning vistas to longer treks that take you deep into its rugged beauty, there’s something for everyone.
Notch Trail
The Notch Trail is a must-visit for the more adventurous hikers or anyone who wants an adrenaline rush. This 1.5 miles round-trip hike offers beautiful views throughout! The trail begins with a notch ladder climb (hence the name), then winds past cliffs and ledges and culminates with a narrow notch that you have to squeeze through, which opens up to stunning views of the Badlands. If you are up for a unique and beautiful hike without too much of a challenge, this is the one for you!
Notch Trail is located near the entrance of Badlands National Park and is right beside the trailheads for Window, Door, and Castle trails. So, this is the perfect spot to start!
Window Trail
Take a stroll along the Window Trail, a leisurely 0.25-mile boardwalk leading you to a natural “window” view of a canyon. It’s like the Grand Canyon of the Badlands!
Door Trail
Door Trail is an easy 0.75 miles round-trip hike that awards beautiful up close views from inside the canyon.
The trail winds through a rugged landscape of towering rock formations, exposing ancient layers of colorful sedimentary rocks. As hikers venture through the door-like opening in the rocks, they are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the expansive badlands stretching out before them.
Castle Trail
Castle Trail is the longest trail in the park, stretching approximately 5 miles one-way as it cuts through the heart of the Badlands. The Castle Trail connects two points found along Badlands Loop Drive, the Fossil Exhibit Trail and the Window/Door Trails. If you have more than one car with you, you can hike the 5-miles one way and then have someone pick you up on the other end of the trail or you can hike the full 10 miles round trip. Castle Trail allows you to experience the vastness of the badlands and offers panoramic vistas across the prairie as you pass colorful, rocky pinnacles. If you’re lucky, you may even see bighorn sheep along the route!
Fossil Exhibit Trail
Badlands National Park is home to one of the most concentrated fossil beds in the world! The Fossil Exhibit Trail is a 0.25 mile boardwalk trail featuring fossil replicas and exhibits of extinct creatures that once lived in the area.
Badlands National Park is open to off-trail exploration, meaning that you can get off of the trails and explore on your own, you can even backcountry camp without a permit. Be sure to do some exploring of your own, just keep an eye out for rattlesnakes!
Scenic Drives
For those who want to experience the beauty of Badlands National Park without having to hike, there are two excellent options for you!
Badlands Loop Road
Badlands Loop Road winds 31-miles through some of the most striking views of the park, from layered rock formations to sweeping prairies. Along the way, stop at the many overlooks, where you can marvel at the park’s breathtaking vistas filled with towering spires, deep canyons, and rocks that look like they’re straight out of a painting. Don’t miss a stop at Yellow Mounds, a mesmerizing landscape of golden-hued hills that seem to glow in the sunlight.
Badlands Loop Road is also a great place to view wildlife, you can often spot bison wandering through the prairies found along this route!
Sage Creek Rim Road
Beginning near the tail end of Badlands Loop, Sage Creek Rim Road stretches for an additional 13-miles, providing a rugged dirt pathway that unveils numerous breathtaking vistas of the canyon and allows for an intimate encounter with local wildlife. Undoubtedly Bridget’s personal highlight of the trip, this route stands out as an unparalleled location for observing bison and prairie dogs. Compared to the bustling Badlands Loop, Sage Creek Rim offers a more serene experience. The lack of crowds makes it possible to pull over to the side and spend as much time as you wish watching bison traversing the road and grazing upon the expansive prairie.
Don’t miss a stop at Prairie Dog Village, where countless prairie dogs interact beside their burrows!
Wall Drug
Make a detour to the remote town of Wall and visit Wall Drug Store. Wall Drug–a historic collection of cowboy-themed shops, including a drug store, gift shops, and eateries–looks like it was transported straight from the old west, and has become an iconic destination for travelers in and around the Badlands. Stop in to grab a bite to eat, peruse the art gallery, or say a prayer in the traveler’s chapel.
Stargazing
As one of the few truly dark sky parks in the United States, Badlands National Park offers an epic night sky experience. Bring a telescope or just peer up into the sky, and you’ll see millions of stars, and if you’re lucky, the Milky Way! The park offers several free stargazing programs throughout the year, where park rangers provide guidance and interpretation.
