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. — nps.gov
Badlands National Park at a glance
- State
- South Dakota
- Established
- November 10, 1978
- Size
- 242,743 acres
- 2025 visits
- 1,139,361
- Busiest-park rank
- #26 of 63
- Entrance
- $30 / vehicle
Best time to visit
When is Badlands quiet?
Badlands is busiest in July and quietest in December. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, May is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.
In 2025 the park logged 1,139,361 recreation visits, the #26 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.
Average visits by month
2021–2025 · NPS IRMAQuietest: DecemberBusiest: July
Fees & passes
What it costs to visit Badlands
From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026.
Visiting several parks this year? The pass calculator shows whether the America the Beautiful pass pays off.
Reservations · 2026
No park-wide reservation
The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Badlands National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
Things to do
Things to do in Badlands
- Visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center15-60 Minutes · All year
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…
- Visit the White River Visitor Center15-60 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall
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…
- Badlands Ranger Programs20-60 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall
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…
Pets OK - Badlands Astronomy Festival30-60 Minutes · Summer
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.
Pets OK - Become a Badlands Junior Ranger30-45 Minutes · All year
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.
- Enjoy the Night Sky30-90 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall
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.
- Drive Around the South Unit of the Badlands1-2 Hours · All year
Enjoy stunning views of Badlands National Park's South Unit by driving around its perimeter.
Pets OK - Drive Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240)1-2 Hours · All year
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…
Pets OK
Show all 21 things to doShow fewer
- Drive Sage Creek Rim Road1-2 Hours · All year
- Explore Sheep Mountain Table1-3 Hours · All yearPets OK
- Hiking the Badlands1-5 Hours · All year
- Backcountry CampingAll year
- Pets OK
- Badlands Sunrises & SunsetsAll yearPets OK
- CampgroundsAll yearReservation/permitFeePets OK
- Hiking Badlands Back Roads With Your DogWinter, Spring, FallFeePets OK
- Horseback Riding in the BadlandsAll yearPets OK
- Pets OK
- Pets OK
From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.
By activity
- Astronomy44
- Auto and ATV33
- Backcountry Camping51
- Biking44
- Birdwatching48
- Camping60
- Car or Front Country Camping41
- Compass and GPS10
- Food46
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs25
- Hiking60
- Horse Camping (see also camping)14
- Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)21
- Horse Trekking32
- Horseback Riding25
- Scenic Driving30
- Wildlife Watching53
The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.
Weather
Weather at Badlands
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.
From the National Park Service.
Getting there
Getting to Badlands
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.
25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior, SD, 57750 · Directions on nps.gov
Nearby
National parks near Badlands
- Wind Cave National Park48 mi~1 h drive (est.)
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park246 mi~6 h drive (est.)
- Rocky Mountain National Park283 mi~7 h drive (est.)
- Yellowstone National Park405 mi~10 h drive (est.)
- Grand Teton National Park410 mi~10 h drive (est.)
- Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve438 mi~10 h drive (est.)
Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.
Closest big cities: Minneapolis (464 mi) · Kansas City (518 mi)
Road trip
Theodore Roosevelt, Badlands & Wind Cave
3 parks, about 294 miles between them (~7 h of driving, estimated).
Badlands is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.
Photos of Badlands National Park
FAQ
Badlands, quickly
- When is the best time to visit Badlands National Park?
- If you want fewer people, go in May, the quietest shoulder-season month. July is the busiest month on average, and December the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
- How much does it cost to visit Badlands National Park?
- $30 / vehicle. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park.
- Do you need a reservation for Badlands National Park in 2026?
- The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Badlands National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
- What are some things to do in Badlands National Park?
- The National Park Service lists 21 things to do in Badlands National Park, including Visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, Visit the White River Visitor Center, Badlands Ranger Programs, Badlands Astronomy Festival, Become a Badlands Junior Ranger. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
- When did Badlands National Park become a national park?
- Badlands National Park was established as a national park on November 10, 1978.
- What is the closest national park to Badlands?
- Wind Cave National Park, about 48 miles away in a straight line (roughly 1 hours' drive, estimated).
Sources · 3
- 1.Badlands National Park — official site · National Park Service
- 2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- 3.Badlands National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)
About this page
Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/badl.
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