Badlands National Park

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.

Riding guide

Entrance fees & passes

• Entrance - Private Vehicle

  Fee covers the entry of a private vehicle and its occupants for 7 days

  $30.00

• Entrance - Motorcycle

  Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.

  $25.00

• Entrance - Per Person

  Fee covers the entry of an individual that is hiking, bicycling, etc... for 7 days

  $15.00

• Commercial Entrance - Sedan

  Commercial sedan, 1 to 6 passenger capacity. $25 plus $15 per person - 7 days for Original Manifest

  $25.00

• Commercial Entrance - Van

  Commercial van, 7 to 15 passenger capacity; $50 - 7 days for Original Manifest

  $50.00

• Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus

  Minibus, 16 to 25 passenger capacity; $60 - 7 days for Original Manifest

  $60.00

• Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach

  Motorcoach, 26 or more passenger capacity; $150 - 7 days for Original Manifest

  $150.00

• Annual Entrance - Park

  This pass admits a single, private, non commercial vehicle and its occupants into the park. This pass does not include camping or give any type of discount at stores inside the park. Valid for one year from month of purchase.

  $55.00

Park map

Trails

No trails synced for this park yet.

Campgrounds

• Cedar Pass Campground

  96 sites

  Located near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, the Cedar Pass Campground has 96 level sites with scenic views of the badlands formations. This campground offers flush toilets and coin operated showers in the summertime.

  Reserve a site

• Sage Creek Campground

  22 sites

  Sage Creek Campground is a primitive campground. There is no charge to stay here and camping is available on a first come first serve basis. The campground rarely fills to capacity.

Points of interest

• Amphitheater

  POI

  The amphitheater is used during periods of high visitation for evening programs, night sky viewing, and other special events.

• Ancient Hunters Overlook

  POI

  One of multiple overlooks in the park that provide expansive views of the Badlands. This overlook has a wayside exhibit sharing the history of paleo-Indians in the region.

• Badlands Bison Corral

  POI

  The Badlands bison corrals are off-limits to the public but can be seen along the road.

• Badlands Gunnery Range

  POI

  This location provides an expansive view of the historic gunnery range.

• Badlands Tunnels

  POI

  Badlands Tunnels is an area that used to have passageways through the badlands formations rather than the present-day passage around them.

• Badlands Wall

  POI

  The Badlands Wall is a feature that extends a wide swath of the park.

• Badlands Wilderness Overlook

  POI

  One of multiple overlooks throughout the park that provide an opportunity to take in the expansive wilderness area of the park.

• Big Badlands Overlook

  POI

  Big Badlands Overlook provides the opportunity to view the eastern portion of the Badlands wall.

• Bigfoot Pass Overlook

  POI

  This overlook provides an opportunity to see stunning badlands vistas as well as a historically significant route.

• Burns Basin Overlook

  POI

  One of multiple overlooks throughout the park that provides accessible experiences for all visitors to enjoy the park. This one features a boardwalk and a bench overlooking a vast badlands landscape.

• Castle Trailhead

  POI

  Moderate. The longest trail in the park begins at the Door and Window parking area and travels five miles one way to the Fossil Exhibit Trail. Relatively level, the path passes along some badlands formations. 10 miles/16 km (round trip)

• Cedar Butte

  POI

  Cedar Butte is a feature located in the South Unit of the park and is accessible by foot through a barbed wire fence.

• Cedar Pass Lodge

  POI

  Cedar Pass Lodge is the only concessionaire operated facility in the park. Food, bathrooms, and water are available.

• Cliff Shelf Trailhead

  POI

  Cliff Shelf Nature Trail is one of several short, accessible hikes near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center of Badlands National Park.

• Conata Basin Overlook

  POI

  One of multiple overlooks throughout the park that provides accessible experiences and interpretive exhibits. This overlook has a boardwalk with a bench, and a wayside exhibit discussing climate change and how it affects the landscape.

• Conata Picnic Area

  POI

  One of several picnic areas available for use in the park along the scenic loop road.

• Deer Haven Trailhead

  POI

  Badlands National Park has an Open Hike Policy, meaning that you are allowed to hike off-trail. As a visitor to the Badlands, you are free to explore social trails like Deer Haven, the Sage Creek Wilderness Area, or any other part of the park you can visit safely. Deer Haven is either a short round-trip (6 mile) hike or a more extensive 23 mile loop. The trail is not marked, so navigation will rely on map/compass or GPS routing.

• Door Trailhead

  POI

  One of the park's most popular trails providing an accessible view of badlands buttes and formations.

• Erosion Markers

  POI

  This is slightly off the road but provides an opportunity to see how erosion has affected old geologic survey markers.

• Fossil Exhibit Trailhead

  POI

  Fossil Exhibit Trail is one of several features in the park that provide accessible enjoyment of the park's resources.

• Hay Butte Overlook

  POI

  This overlook provides the opportunity to see Badlands formations and the grassy ecosystems that cling to them.

• Homestead Overlook

  POI

  This overlooks provides a combination of scenic viewpoints and exhibits discussing the homesteading history of the area.

• Interior Entrance Station

  POI

  One of three entrances for Badlands National Park.

• Medicine Root Trailhead

  POI

  On the Castle Trail portion of the Medicine Root loop, the trail is almost entirely within the upper part of the Brule Formation (Poleslide Member; Oligocene Epoch, 32.0-30.0 million years ago).

• Norbeck Pass

  POI

  Norbeck Pass is a geologically and ecologically significant transition between upper and lower prairie environments.

• Northeast Entrance Station

  POI

  One of three entrances for Badlands National Park.

• Notch Ladder

  POI

  A memorable ladder along Notch Trail.

• Notch Trailhead

  POI

  This is the park's most popular trail. It features badlands buttes, views, and a wooden ladder!

• Palmer Creek

  POI

  Palmer Creek is one of two districts in the South Unit of the park. Contact park staff prior to attempting access.

• Panorama Point Overlook

  POI

  Panorama Point offers a wide view of the Badlands landscape, downward towards the White River Valley. The view is similar to what is seen in the Big Foot Pass area.

• Pinnacles Entrance Station

  POI

  One of three entrance stations to Badlands National Park.

• Pinnacles Overlook

  POI

  One of the most popular overlooks in the park, it provides an opportunity to see unparalleled views of the park's unique geology and dramatic sunsets.

• Prairie Wind Overlook

  POI

  This overlook provides an opportunity to experience the vast prairie landscape.

• Quinn Road Prairie Dog Town

  POI

  Quinn Road prairie dog town is one of several prairie dog towns in Badlands National Park.

• Red Shirt Table Overlook

  POI

  Red Shirt Table overlook is one of several significant geologic and scenic features in the South Unit of the park.

• Roberts Prairie Dog Town

  POI

  One of the largest prairie dog towns in the park, accessible via a main road.

• Saddle Pass Trailhead

  POI

  Saddle Pass is one of several short accessible hikes near by the Ben Reifel Visitor Center of Badlands National Park.

• Sage Creek Basin Overlook

  POI

  This overlook provides an expansive view of the mixed-grass prairie environment and the sage creek wilderness area.

• Sage Creek Wilderness

  POI

  The wilderness area has a primitive campground and no official trails. Any trip to the area needs to be planned ahead of time.

• Sheep Mountain Table Overlook

  POI

  Sheep Mountain Table is one of the overlooks of Badlands National Park. It provides views of the park's South Unit and the Black Hills. The road to the overlook is not maintained in the winter, and beyond the overlook the road deteriorates and requires high clearance/4WD vehicles.

• Stronghold Table

  POI

  Stronghold Table is one of five large tables located in the South Unit of the park.

• The Pig Dig

  POI

  The Pig Dig is a site of a recent paleontological survey that yielded many significant fossil finds, including: Archaeotherium, Subhyracodon, Mesohippus, Leptomeryx.

• The Saber Site

  POI

  The Saber Site is the location of a significant find: a rare nimravid skull, and it was found by a 7-year-old child.

• Toadstool Rock

  POI

  Toadstool Rock is one of the more visible examples of Badlands unique erosion processes.

• Wayside: Alligator

  POI

  This is a stop along the Fossil Exhibit Trail of Badlands National Park. This exhibit features a replica bronze alligator fossil and information about how alligators moved to survive a changing climate.

• Wayside: Ammonite

  POI

  This is a stop along the Fossil Exhibit Trail of Badlands National Park. This exhibit features a replica bronze Ammonite fossil and information about how Ammonites died in response to a changing climate.

• Wayside: Dog

  POI

  This is a stop along the Fossil Exhibit Trail of Badlands National Park. This exhibit features a replica bronze Dog fossil and information about how dogs evolved to survive a changing climate.

• Wayside: Horse

  POI

  This is a stop along the Fossil Exhibit Trail of Badlands National Park. This exhibit features a replica bronze Mesohippus fossil and information about Mesohippus evolved to adapt to changing climates.

• Wayside: Nimravid

  POI

  This is a stop along the Fossil Exhibit Trail of Badlands National Park. This exhibit features a replica bronze nimravid fossil and information about how nimravid died in the face of a changing climate.

• Wayside: Oreodont

  POI

  This is a stop along the Fossil Exhibit Trail of Badlands National Park. This exhibit features a replica bronze oreodont fossil and information about how the fossilization process occurs.

• Wayside: Reading the Rocks

  POI

  This is a stop along the Fossil Exhibit Trail of Badlands National Park. This exhibit features an annotated photograph of a badlands landscape with several layered elaborated on.

• Wayside: Titanothere

  POI

  This is a stop along the Fossil Exhibit Trail of Badlands National Park. This exhibit features a replica bronze Titanothere fossil and information about how Titanotheres died in response to a changing climate.

• White River Valley Overlook

  POI

  This view shows the upper portion of the White River Group.

• Window Trailhead

  POI

  This short trail leads to a natural window in the Badlands Wall with a view of an intricately eroded canyon.

• Yellow Mounds Overlook

  POI

  One of the more colorful features of the park. This overlook has a parking lot and provides views of some of the oldest layers in the park.

Things to do

• Backcountry Camping

  Backcountry camping in the Badlands can be an exciting adventure for prepared and experienced hikers. Read more about rules, safety, and recommendations for backcountry campers here.

• Badlands Astronomy Festival

  Celebrate the spectacular sights and science of night skies at Badlands National Park's annual Astronomy Festival. Join astronomers, rangers, and visitors for activities, discussions, and programs about the night sky.

  Duration: 30-60 Minutes

• Badlands BADLibs

  Have you ever played a game of Madlibs? Now you can try out a Badlands version! Pick out your favorite words, then fill them in to create your own wacky Badlands story. After that, share your BADLibs with us on social media -- and don't forget to have fun!

• Badlands Ranger Programs

  Many different programs are led by rangers at Badlands National Park. Learn more about wildlife, geology, paleontology, and more by stopping at a ranger program during your visit! Visit this page to find program descriptions, locations, and typical times.

  Duration: 20-60 Minutes

• Badlands Sunrises & Sunsets

  Enjoy incredible views of the Badlands by waking up early or staying out late. Sunrises and sunsets are photographer favorites for a good reason -- check out this page to learn all the best spots!

• Become a Badlands Junior Ranger

  Become a Junior Ranger at Badlands National Park! By completing a fun activity book, you can earn a Junior Ranger badge and pledge to explore, learn about, and protect the parks.

  Duration: 30-45 Minutes

• Bicycling in the Badlands

  Enjoy beautiful views of the Badlands without a windshield! Biking in the park offers a chance to experience scenery firsthand -- from the back of a bike, it almost feels like you can reach out and touch the rugged buttes and twisted spires. Read here to learn more about rules, safety, and suggested routes.

• Campgrounds

  Set up camp at one of Badlands National Park's two official campgrounds. Whether you're seeing views of the Sage Creek Wilderness Area or Cedar Pass, you're sure to enjoy an overnight stay in the park.

• Drive Around the South Unit of the Badlands

  Enjoy stunning views of Badlands National Park's South Unit by driving around its perimeter.

  Duration: 1-2 Hours

• Drive Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240)

  Enjoy the sights of Badlands National Park by driving its most popular road -- Badlands Loop Road, also known as Highway 240. Catch beautiful landscapes, informational exhibits, and glimpses of wildlife on this incredible drive.

  Duration: 1-2 Hours

• Drive Sage Creek Rim Road

  Enjoy views of badlands formations and glimpses of wildlife from Sage Creek Rim Road, one of the dirt roads located in the North Unit of Badlands National Park.

  Duration: 1-2 Hours

• Enjoy the Night Sky

  Night Sky Viewings are a great way to see the dark skies of the Badlands. Park rangers and astronomy volunteers are available to point out objects in the night sky and help you look through telescopes.

  Duration: 30-90 Minutes

• Explore Sheep Mountain Table

  Sheep Mountain Table is a great place to enjoy stunning views of the Badlands landscape. Whether you’re a hiker looking for a beautiful trail, a photographer scoping out a sunset spot, or simply a visitor seeking to explore the South Unit, Sheep Mountain Table offers incredible vist

  Duration: 1-3 Hours

• Hiking Badlands Back Roads With Your Dog

  Back country roads are a great place to escape the everyday with your pet.

• Hiking the Badlands

  Interested in hiking at Badlands National Park? Read about rules, official trails, and the park's open hike policy here.

  Duration: 1-5 Hours

• Horseback Riding in the Badlands

  Enjoy views of the Badlands from the saddle! Although no commercial horse rental or day rides are available in the park, Badlands invites horse owners to explore the Badlands Wilderness Area, consisting of 64,000 acres of eroded spires and mixed-grass prairie, or other designated areas of the park via horseback.

• Pick Your Park Adventure in the Badlands

  Pick your park adventure in the Badlands by deciding where to go next at the end of every chapter. Once your adventure is over, you can submit this activity to earn a Junior Ranger patch!

• Spotting Wildlife in the Badlands

  Many animals call Badlands National Park home. Learn more about these critters and where you can find them on this page.

• Visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center

  There's something for everyone at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center in the North Unit of Badlands National Park. Swing by the information desk, watch the park film, check out a working fossil preparation lab, enjoy museum exhibits, or stop by the park bookstore.

  Duration: 15-60 Minutes

• Visit the Fossil Preparation Lab

  Visit the Fossil Preparation Lab in Badlands National Park, where visitors have the opportunity to engage with paleontologists and other park staff working on Badlands fossils!

• Visit the White River Visitor Center

  The White River Visitor Center is the main facility in the South Unit of the park. Be sure to stop by to pick up maps, enjoy museum exhibits, and chat with rangers about the significance of the Badlands and treaties in Lakota heritage.

  Duration: 15-60 Minutes

Visitor centers

• Ben Reifel Visitor Center

  Located at park headquarters, the Ben Reifel Visitor Center features exhibits, an air conditioned theater,and restroom facilities.

  Get directions

• White River Visitor Center

  The visitor center is located on the Pine Ridge Reservation and offers a staffed information desk, exhibits, restrooms, picnic tables, and water. Impromptu talks are available by request. This visitor center is only open during the summer season.

  Get directions

Hours of operation

Activities

Weather

Contact

Photos

Directions

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.