Badlands National Park
Interior, SD
Striped spires and prairie where bison graze. The Badlands Loop Road (SD-240) is an easy detour off I-90.
Badlands National Park in South Dakota covers about 982 square kilometers (379 square miles) of rugged sandstone and clay formations mixed with prairie. The area became a national monument in 1939 and a national park in 1978. The rock layers of the White River Group formed roughly 37 to 23 million years ago; in bare areas, heavy summer rain can strip away up to 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) of soft rock per year. The park holds one of the richest known fossil beds of Oligocene mammals. The bison herd has grown since 1963 from about 50 animals to more than 1,200.
The Badlands Loop Road (SD 240) is paved, two-lane and suitable for all vehicles, though it has some steep sections. It is about 45 to 48 km (28 to 30 miles) long depending on the source, has twelve overlooks from Big Badlands Overlook in the east to Pinnacles Overlook in the west, and takes 1 to 2 hours to drive. Access from I-90 is via exit 110 (Wall) or exit 131; the road is open around the clock but can be icy or closed by weather in winter.
For campers: Cedar Pass Campground has some sites for RVs, Sage Creek Campground does not. Spring and early fall are considered the most pleasant times to visit; in summer, temperatures above 38°C (100°F) and sudden hailstorms are possible. Keep well away from bison and drive slowly.
- Nearest town
- Interior, SD
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 43.8554, -102.3397
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
© BakedintheHole · CC BY 4.0Wall Drug
© Andrew Parlette from Elkridge,MD, US · CC BY 2.0Cedar Pass Campground
© Chad Davis from Minneapolis, United States · CC BY 2.0Custer State Park Wildlife Loop
© Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand · Public domainMount Rushmore National Memorial
Campsites nearby
- Buffalo Gap National GrasslandCampsite6 mi from Badlands National ParkTentsCaravansFree
- Sleepy Hollow Campground & RV ParkCampsite11 mi from Badlands National ParkCaravans
- 24 Express Camp GroundMotorhome stopover16 mi from Badlands National ParkMotorhomes
- Badlands Hotel and CampgroundCampsite20 mi from Badlands National ParkTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Cedar Pass CampgroundCampsite21 mi from Badlands National Park · 96 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityShowers
- Badlands/White River KOA HolidayMotorhome stopover23 mi from Badlands National ParkMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in South Dakota · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Badlands National Park?
Badlands National Park is in Interior, SD, at GPS 43.8554, -102.3397. It is about 11 mi from Wall.
Can you camp near Badlands National Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Sage Creek Campground, about 5 mi away; within 25 mi there are 9 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Badlands National Park?
Badlands National Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Badlands and the Black Hills with kids.
What is there to see near Badlands National Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Wall Drug (11 mi), Cedar Pass Campground (21 mi), Custer State Park Wildlife Loop (52 mi) and Mount Rushmore National Memorial (56 mi).
When is the best time to visit Badlands National Park?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)