Badlands National Park is located in the White River badlands and was called mako sica which means bad lands by Sioux Indians because of the rugged terrain and lack of water.
We visited Badlands National Park as part of our road trip.
Entrances to Badlands National Park
The closest major airport is Rapid City which is 55 miles from Badlands National Park. Badlands is conveniently located off I-90, a major highway.
The two main entrances are the Pinnacle Entrance on Highway 240 (exit 110 on I-90) and the Northeast Entrance on Exit 131 on I-90. The third entrance is the Interior Entrance on Route 44.
Badlands National Park Entrance Fee
The entrance fee is $30 for a private vehicle. If you plan to visit other national parks on your trip, you can buy an annual national park pass, which costs $80 and has access to all national parks, valid for one year.
Things to do in Badlands National Park
1. Badlands Loop Road
Drive Badlands Loop Road, also known as Highway 240. This road has a beautiful landscape, incredible overlooks, and wildlife.
Here are the most popular overlooks.
Pinnacles Overlook
Yellow Mounds Overlook
Conata Basin Overlook
Homestead Overlook
Burns Basin Overlook
Panorama Point
White River Valley Overlook
Big badlands overlook
2. Spot WildLife
We saw Bighorn Sheep while driving on Highway 240. We also saw bison and Prairie dogs on Sage Creek Rim Road.
3. Hike the trails
Fossil Exhibit Trail is an easy 0.25-mile trail on a boardwalk featuring fossil replicas and exhibits of extinct creatures that once lived in the area.
In Badlands National Park, you are allowed to hike off-trail. Here are the views from climbing the cliffs near Fossil Exhibit Trail.
Notch Trail is a moderate 1.5-mile trail. It includes climbing a log ladder which might be scary for those with a fear of heights.
Once on the ladder, turn left to follow the trail.
It provides incredible views along the way.
The trail was not well marked but keep going till you reach the notch.
Finally, you’ll reach “the Notch” for a dramatic view of the White River Valley.
Window Trail is an easy 0.25-mile trail leading to a view of the Badlands. It starts from the same parking lot as Notch trail.
Door Trail is an easy 0.75-mile trail. It starts as a boardwalk for 0.25 miles.
You can continue on an unmarked trail to roam freely. It starts from the same parking lot as Notch trail.
Cliff Shelf Nature Trail is an easy 0.5-mile trail. It has some boardwalks and stairs and provides scenic views of the Badlands. We were not able to do this trail on our visit but can see those stairs from the Notch.
4. Visit Ben Reifel Visitor Center
Stop by Ben Reifel Visitor Center to talk with rangers, explore museum exhibits, check out the Fossil Preparation Lab, or visit the Badlands Natural History Association bookstore. The Visitor Center is next to Cedar Pass Lodge, where you can also stop for lunch or dinner.
5. Drive Sage Creek Rim Road
Sage Creek Rim road is a gravel road. If you enter from the Pinnacle entrance, take a right at the intersection. You can drive 6 miles to see some of the popular overlooks on Sage Creek Rim Road.
Hay Butte Overlook
Badlands wilderness overlook
Roberts Prairie Dog Town
Sage Creek Basin Overlook
5. Watch Sunrise and Sunset
The day we visited the park, it was hazy, so visibility was low.
Big Badlands Overlook is good for sunrise, and Panorama Point and Pinnacles Overlook is good for sunset.
Nearby Add ons
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
During the Cold War, a vast arsenal of nuclear missiles was placed in the Great Plains. Hidden in plain sight, for thirty years, 1,000 missiles were kept on constant alert; hundreds remain today.
Minuteman Missile visitor center is located on the north side of exit 131 Interstate 90, close to Badlands National Park’s northeast entrance. The visitor center is the best place to begin your visit to the park. Exhibits, films, and a bookstore help visitors understand the story of one of the most important eras in American and World History.
The Delta-09 Missile Silo is located 15 miles east of the Visitor Center on I-90.
The launch facility consists of a silo 12 feet in diameter and 80 feet deep made of reinforced concrete with a steel-plate liner. The glass viewing enclosure allows visitors to see into the launcher to view the training missile.
The Delta-01 Launch Control Facility is located 4 miles east of the Visitor Center on I-90. You can reserve a Guided Tour of the facility here.
South Dakota Air and Space Museum
It is located 15 miles east of Rapid City on I-90. It is dedicated to the history of the United States Air Force, the base, and aerospace in South Dakota. There are many different exhibits, one-of-a-kind artifacts, and fun-filled activities. Admission is free.
Where to stay in Badlands National Park
The only lodging inside Badlands national park is Cedar Pass lodge. It also has Cedar Pass campgrounds near the lodge. The other option is to stay in the nearest town of Wall, SD. Badlands National Park can also be done as a day trip from Rapid City, which is one hour away. It might be a long day, but doable.
Where to eat in Badlands National Park
Cedar pass lodge has a restaurant famous for Indian tacos (fry bread with a topping of beans, lettuce, olives, and cheese). Wall drugs in Wall, SD, is another favorite spot for lunch or dinner.
When to visit Badlands National Park
Summers are the hottest and busiest time to visit the National Park. Fall and spring is the best time to visit when the weather is nice, and the crowd is minimal. Winters might be cold and freezing days. You might not see any wildlife in winter, either. The lodging inside the park is closed in winter too. Some roads are also closed after severe weather conditions.
How many days in Badlands National Park
One day is good enough for Badlands to visit all the lookout points and add 2-3 hikes. We stayed one night in Wall, SD, and could see Badlands in the evening for sunset and morning for the sunrise.
Nearby Attractions
If you visit Badlands National Park as part of a road trip, you can include Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Jewel Cave National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, The Mammoth Site, and Devil’s Tower on your trip.