Badlands National Park — Visitor Info

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Badlands National Park protects a dramatic landscape of eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires across South Dakota's mixed-grass prairie, along with some of the richest fossil beds in the world. The Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240) makes most of the park's highlights accessible by car.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: Summer heat on exposed trails can be extreme, and sudden thunderstorms can make the unpaved Sage Creek Rim Road impassable. Always check the official Badlands Alerts & Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
Southwestern South Dakota
Entrance Fee
$30/vehicle (7 days)
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No
Permit Needed For
Backcountry camping (no permit required, but rules apply)
Lodging
Two campgrounds; Cedar Pass Lodge (in-park)
Managed By
National Park Service

Visitor Centers

Ben Reifel Visitor Center
Near the Interior Entrance and Cedar Pass — the park's main visitor center, with exhibits, a working paleontology lab, and trip planning.
White River Visitor Center
In the more remote South Unit, seasonal hours — covers Oglala Lakota tribal land and history.

Confirm current hours on the official NPS hours & visitor centers page before you go.

Entrance Fees & Passes

The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle (motorcycle $25, per person on foot/bike $15), valid 7 days, usable at any of the park's three entrance stations (Northeast, Pinnacles, or Interior). An Annual Pass is $55. This park does not accept cash — entrance payments are credit/debit only.

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

4th graders (and their families) can visit free with an Every Kid Outdoors pass, available at everykidoutdoors.gov.

Permits & Reservations

You do not need a permit to enter the park, day-hike, or camp in the backcountry.

Backcountry Camping

No permit is required for backcountry camping, but campers must set up at least half a mile from any road or trail and out of sight of other visitors. There are no designated backcountry sites — pick your own spot following Leave No Trace principles.

Campgrounds & RV Options

Cedar Pass Campground
Near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. 96 level sites with badlands views; some sites have 30/50-amp electric hookups (no full hookups). Pay showers, flush toilets, and a septic dump station are nearby. Reserve through Cedar Pass Lodge.
Sage Creek Campground
Free, first-come, first-served, on the unpaved Sage Creek Rim Road. 22 primitive sites, no hookups or dump station, vault toilets only. NPS recommends vehicles/RVs stay under 18ft due to tight turns and a weight-limited bridge on the access road; the road can also close temporarily after storms.

Good to Know

  • The Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240) covers most scenic overlooks and trailheads and can be driven in a few hours, though most visitors spend a full day.
  • Bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs are commonly seen along Sage Creek Rim Road — give wildlife plenty of space.
  • Fossil beds are actively studied here — removing any fossil or rock is illegal; report finds to a ranger instead.
  • Little shade exists anywhere in the park — sun protection and extra water matter even on short hikes.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees and regulations change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Badlands National Park site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Cedar Pass Campground · NPS – Sage Creek Campground · NPS – Alerts & Conditions