National park · United States
Badlands National Park
Drive the 27-mile Badlands Loop Road once, early or late, and walk two short trails — Notch and Cliff Shelf — rather than trying to see everything; enter from I-90 exit 131 for the east side, exit 110 for the Pinnacles side, and skip the backcountry unless you carry water and a map.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
982 km² (379 sq mi)379 sq mi (982 km²)
approximate
Established
1978
Best months
Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 982 km² (379 sq mi)379 sq mi (982 km²)
- About 982 km² (244,000 acres); the park includes the Badlands Wilderness Area.
- Established
- 1978
- Best months
- Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Badlands National Park protects a wall of striped, eroding rock cut by water and wind, plus the largest protected mixed-grass prairie in the United States. The North Unit holds nearly all the paved access, overlooks and marked trails; the South Unit (Stronghold District) is roadless backcountry on the Pine Ridge Reservation, co-managed with the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and still carries unexploded ordnance from its use as a gunnery range in 1942–1945. Most visitors see the park in a few hours from the Loop Road. Two short trails and one longer one turn that drive into a real walk.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1978.
Size and age
982 km² (379 sq mi)379 sq mi (982 km²) · national park since 1978
About 982 km² (244,000 acres); the park includes the Badlands Wilderness Area.
Why go
- A 27-mile paved road threads straight through the rock wall, with overlooks every few minutes.
- The Open Hike Policy lets you walk off-trail almost anywhere, unlike most US national parks.
- Fossil beds from the Oligocene, roughly 20–35 million years old, are among the richest in the world — and digging or removing fossils is a federal offence.
- Prairie dogs, bison, pronghorn and bighorn sheep are routinely seen from the car.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecAvoid
- JanCold, windy; highs near 4°C (39°F), lows below −18°C (0°F)Cold, windy; highs near 39°F (4°C), lows below 0°F (−18°C)
- FebBlizzards possible; most services closed
- MarTemperature swings of 20°C (68°F)+ in hours; snow or 15°C (59°F)Temperature swings of 68°F (20°C)+ in hours; snow or 59°F (15°C)
- AprWettest stretch; unpaved roads may be impassable
- MayGreen prairie, brief showers, visitor centre on summer hours
- JunWarm and mostly dry; longest daylight
- JulHot and dry; daytime over 32°C (90°F)Hot and dry; daytime over 90°F (32°C)
- AugHottest month; can break 38°C (100°F), evenings near 24°C (75°F)Hottest month; can break 100°F (38°C), evenings near 75°F (24°C)
- SepCooling in the second half; clear light
- OctCool and dry; a few days still reach 27°C (81°F)Cool and dry; a few days still reach 81°F (27°C)
- NovWinter starts; quiet, cold nights
- DecSnow likely; windchill well below freezing
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bison, pronghorn and bighorn sheepAll year · Often visible from the Loop Road; keep well back. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Prairie dogs at Roberts Prairie Dog TownApr–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Nearly 200 bird species, plus wildflowersMay–Jul | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Black-footed ferretAll year · Reintroduced to the wilderness area; nocturnal and almost never seen by visitors. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Rapid City
Drive I-90 east to exit 131 (Interior) for the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, or exit 110 (Wall) for the Pinnacles Entrance.
About 50 miles to the park; drive time check.
From Wall
Use I-90 exit 110 to reach the Pinnacles Entrance and the west end of the Loop Road.
Check
From Interior
Take SR-44 south to the Interior Entrance and the east end of the Loop Road.
Check
From Black Hills and Custer State Park
Approach by I-90 or SR-44; route and drive time depend on your starting point.
Check
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| North Unit | The paved Loop Road, overlooks, visitor centre and established trails. | Open with a park entry ticket. |
| Badlands Wilderness Area | About 64,000 acres of mixed-grass prairie and formations, without established trails. | Open Hike Policy; a free backcountry permit is required for camping. |
| South Unit (Stronghold District) | Roadless backcountry on the Pine Ridge Reservation, co-managed with the Oglala Sioux Tribe; includes the White River Visitor Center and Red Shirt Table Overlook. | Unexploded ordnance remains from its former use as a gunnery range; stay within areas clearly open to visitors. |
Sketch map
- 1Ben Reifel Visitor Center · Headquarters≈43.749, -101.941Map ↗
- 2Northeast Entrance (I-90 exit 131) · Gate≈43.789, -101.904Map ↗
- 3Pinnacles Entrance (I-90 exit 110) · Gate≈43.884, -102.239Map ↗
- 4Interior Entrance (SR-44) · Gate≈43.742, -101.957Map ↗
- 5Notch Trail trailhead · Trail≈43.760, -101.928Map ↗
- 6Cliff Shelf Nature Trail trailhead · Trail≈43.750, -101.931Map ↗
- 7Pinnacles Overlook · Viewpoint≈43.869, -102.234Map ↗
- 8Yellow Mounds Overlook · Viewpoint≈43.843, -102.195Map ↗
- 9Panorama Point · Viewpoint≈43.796, -102.061Map ↗
- 10Big Badlands Overlook · Viewpoint≈43.785, -101.900Map ↗
- 11Roberts Prairie Dog Town · Viewpoint≈43.905, -102.307Map ↗
- 12White River Visitor Center (South Unit) · Headquarters≈43.511, -102.497Map ↗
- 13Red Shirt Table Overlook (South Unit) · Viewpoint≈43.559, -102.886Map ↗
Take the points offline
13 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions from the park's own overlook and trailhead listings, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle, 7 days | US$30 | vehicle | 2026 estimate. |
| Motorcycle, 7 days | US$25 | motorcycle | 2026 estimate. |
| Per person on foot or bicycle, 7 days | US$15 | person | 2026 estimate. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | pass | 2026 estimate; covers entry at federal fee areas for a year. |
| Cedar Pass Lodge cabin | US$200–320 | night | 2026 estimate, summer. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
South Unit access no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$30
- US$25
- US$15
- US$80
- US$200–320
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on National Park Service — Badlands fees and passes before you go.
Park rules
- Fossils and artefacts
- Digging or moving fossils or artefacts is prohibited by federal law. Report finds at the Cedar Pass Contact Station.
- Pets
- Pets are allowed only in developed areas, campgrounds, parking lots and along roads, on a leash no longer than 1.8 m (6 ft). They are not allowed on trails or in the wilderness area.Pets are allowed only in developed areas, campgrounds, parking lots and along roads, on a leash no longer than 6 ft (1.8 m). They are not allowed on trails or in the wilderness area.
- Fires
- Visitors must not start fires in the park.
- Bicycles
- Bicycles are allowed on designated roads only. No off-road or backcountry riding, or riding on hiking trails.
- Off-trail hiking
- The Open Hike Policy allows off-trail walking where it is safe. There are no fences or warning signs at drop-offs.
- South Unit (Stronghold District)
- The area is largely roadless backcountry on the Pine Ridge Reservation, co-managed with the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Unexploded ordnance remains from its use as a gunnery range in 1942–1945; do not pick up metal objects.
- Drones
- Check current National Park Service rules before flying a drone.
Where to stay
In the park
Cedar Pass Lodge
Cabins near the visitor centre; the only lodging in the park. Seasonal dates and availability: check.
In the park
Cedar Pass Campground
Tent and RV sites near the visitor centre; check current availability and reservations.
In the park
Sage Creek Campground
Primitive campground reached by gravel road; a section is designated for horses.
Near the park
Wall
Motels and diners near I-90 exit 110.
Near the park
Interior
Small town near the east entrance and visitor centre.
Safety
Heat and exposure high
Wet trails and clay medium
Unexploded ordnance in the South Unit high
Winter blizzards medium
Wildlife medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Fossil Exhibit Trail is a fully accessible 0.3-mile loop.
- The first 150 yards of Door Trail are accessible boardwalk; Window Trail suits athletic wheelchair users or those with assistance.
- Ben Reifel Visitor Center has bus and RV parking and accessible facilities.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on durable rock and existing social trails; new tracks scar for years.
- Pack out all rubbish — bins are rare away from the visitor centre.
- Do not feed or approach wildlife, and keep pets out of the wilderness area.
- Buy the annual pass if you plan to visit several federal fee areas on one trip.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Badlands National Park?
A private vehicle costs about US$30 for a 7-day ticket, a motorcycle about US$25, and entry on foot or by bicycle about US$15 per person (2026 estimates). The America the Beautiful annual pass is about US$80.
What are the best hikes in Badlands National Park?
For a short visit, choose Notch Trail (1.5 miles round trip, with a ladder and slot canyon) or Cliff Shelf Nature Trail (0.9-mile loop with boardwalk and stairs). Castle Trail is 10 miles round trip; Fossil Exhibit Trail is a fully accessible 0.3-mile loop.
When is the best time to visit Badlands National Park?
September and October are cooler, while May and June bring green prairie and longer days. July and August can be very hot; April is wet, and unpaved roads may become difficult or impassable.
How long do you need in Badlands National Park?
Allow about two hours for a leisurely drive along the 27-mile Badlands Loop Road and its overlooks. Add time for trails; a full day gives room for a longer hike and the Sage Creek Rim Road.
Can you hike off-trail in Badlands National Park?
Yes. The Open Hike Policy permits off-trail walking where it is safe, but cliffs are not fenced and the ground can be unstable.
Are dogs allowed in Badlands National Park?
Only in developed areas, campgrounds, parking lots and along roads, on a leash no longer than 6 ft (1.8 m). Pets are not allowed on hiking trails or in the wilderness area.
Is there lodging inside Badlands National Park?
Cedar Pass Lodge has cabins near the visitor centre and is the only in-park lodging. Cedar Pass Campground has tent and RV sites; Sage Creek Campground is primitive. Seasonal dates and availability: check.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialNational Park Service — Badlands National Park
- officialNational Park Service — Ben Reifel Visitor Center
- officialNational Park Service — White River Visitor Center
- officialNational Park Service — Badlands fees and passes
- secondaryWikipedia — Badlands National Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Badlands National Park, revision 5226605 (CC BY-SA 4.0)