20 Things to Do in Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park is 244,000 acres of otherworldly landscapes that most folks never expect to be this good. Massive towering spires, deep canyons, oceans of undisturbed mixed-grass prairie, ancient fossil remains, and one of the last refuges for the American bison.

We’ve spent weeks here across multiple trips. Gazing into the unending maze of badlands twisting into the distance like wrinkles in the palm of your hand, hearing nothing but the lonesome prairie wind. This is a national park lover’s national park.

Here are the best things to do in Badlands National Park, organized so you can plan your days without wasting time.

Badlands National Park is wildly underrated. The $30 entrance fee is good for 7 days. The Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240) is the main scenic drive and hits most of the overlooks. You can drive the whole thing in under two hours but will want a full day to explore.

Things to Know Before Visiting Badlands National Park

1. Here’s our favorite guidebook and map for the Badlands.
2. Fill up on gas in Wall right outside the Pinnacles entrance. There are no gas stations in the park.
3. Cell service is actually decent along the main loop road. It drops off once you head into the Sage Creek area.
4. Food options are very limited. There is a convenience store at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center and a restaurant with limited options. Stock up in Wall before entering.
5. Best time to visit: Spring and early summer before temperatures spike. September is also excellent.
6. Closest airport: Rapid City Regional Airport, about 75 minutes from the park.

Gas, Food, and Getting Around

Wall, SD is the main gateway town on the north side (Pinnacles entrance). Gas stations, a grocery store, and restaurants. This is where you stock up.

Interior, SD is a tiny town near the park’s northeast entrance. Very limited services but there’s a gas station.

Inside the park: The Cedar Pass Lodge restaurant and the convenience store at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center are your only options. Both have limited hours.

Getting around: The Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240) is the main scenic drive. Paved and accessible to any vehicle. Sage Creek Rim Road on the western end is unpaved but passable for most cars in dry conditions. When wet, it becomes treacherous. Check conditions before driving it.

Badlands National Park Itineraries

One Day in the Badlands

Sunrise at Big Badlands Overlook. Drive the Loop Road, stopping at Pinnacles Overlook, Yellow Mounds, and Panorama Point. Hike the Notch Trail. Watch the prairie dogs at Roberts Prairie Dog Town. Cliff Shelf Nature Trail in the late afternoon. You will see the best of the park in one very full day.

Two Days in the Badlands

Day 1: Same as above. Day 2: Sage Creek Rim Road for bison viewing. Saddle Pass Trail for a workout. Sheep Mountain Overlook for the most remote viewpoint in the park. Camp at Sage Creek Campground (free, first-come first-served) for one of the best free camping experiences in the park system.

Three or More Days

Days 1-2 same as above. Day 3: Backcountry hiking. The Badlands allow off-trail hiking anywhere in the park. Pick a wash or a ridgeline and explore. Drive Conata Basin Road for an alternative view of the park. If you have extra time, Wall Drug is a tourist trap but a rite of passage. You know you’re going to stop there anyway.

Loop Road Overlooks and Trails

The Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240) runs through the heart of the park. All of the classic overlooks and most of the maintained trails are along this road. From east to west, here’s what to stop for.

1. Sunrise at Big Badlands Overlook

Distance Short walk from parking Time 30 min Difficulty Easy

Our pick for the single best experience in the park. The first light hits the badlands formations and turns them every shade of gold, pink, and purple. The overlook sits right at the northeast entrance and is the first stop on the Loop Road. Show up 30 minutes before sunrise. On a clear morning, this is world-class.

2. Hike the Notch Trail

Distance 1.5 mi RT Time 1-1.5 hrs Difficulty Moderate

The signature hike in Badlands. The trail includes a ladder climb up a canyon wall, a narrow ledge walk, and ends at a viewpoint overlooking the White River Valley. Not for folks with a fear of heights. The ladder section is exposed and can be slippery when wet. But the view from the Notch is the most dramatic in the park.

3. Saddle Pass Trail

Distance 0.3 mi one way Time 30 min Difficulty Hard (steep, loose terrain)

A short but steep scramble up loose Badlands formations. This feels more like a canyon scramble than a trail. At the top you pop out onto the prairie above the Badlands Wall with views in every direction. Connects to the longer Castle Trail and Medicine Root Trail if you want to extend your day.

4. Cliff Shelf Nature Trail

Distance 0.5 mi loop Time 30 min Difficulty Easy

This trail is a surprise. You walk into what feels like a completely different ecosystem with juniper trees, birds, and shade. It sits on a slump that created a shelf above the badlands. Totally unexpected and one of the most enjoyable short hikes in the park. Great for families.

5. Fossil Exhibit Trail

Distance 0.25 mi Time 20 min Difficulty Easy

A short boardwalk with fossil replicas and interpretive signs explaining the ancient animals that once roamed this landscape. Great for kids. The Badlands are one of the richest fossil beds in the world, and this trail brings that story to life without requiring a paleontology degree.

6. Pinnacles Overlook

Distance Short walk from parking Time 15 min Difficulty Easy

One of the most dramatic viewpoints on the Loop Road. The badlands formations drop away sharply below you and the mixed-grass prairie stretches to the horizon. Sunset here is stunning. Less crowded than Big Badlands Overlook.

7. Yellow Mounds

Distance Roadside stop Time 10-15 min Difficulty Easy

Some of the most vivid colors in the park. The yellow and red layers represent ancient soil horizons that formed under a wetter climate millions of years ago. A quick pull-off on the Loop Road but worth a stop and a photo. Best in morning light.

8. Panorama Point

Distance Short walk from parking Time 15 min Difficulty Easy

Lives up to its name. A wide-angle view of the badlands stretching in every direction. Located along the Loop Road between Pinnacles Overlook and the Yellow Mounds area.

9. Window and Door Trails

Distance 0.25 mi each Time 15 min each Difficulty Easy

Two quick trails that share a parking lot. The Window Trail ends at a natural opening in the Badlands Wall with a framed view of the formations below. The Door Trail leads through a gap in the wall into the badlands themselves. Both are short, easy, and give you a taste of the terrain without a big commitment.

Sage Creek Area (Western Park)

The western side of Badlands is wilder, quieter, and home to the park’s bison herd. Sage Creek Rim Road is unpaved but usually passable for regular vehicles in dry conditions. This is where you go for wildlife and solitude.

10. Roberts Prairie Dog Town

Distance Roadside viewing Time 30 min-1 hr Difficulty Easy

No trip to the Badlands is complete without spending time watching these quarrelsome, hilarious little animals. You can spend an hour watching them yip and yelp at one another as they scurry about. They are also extremely intelligent communicators. Keep a respectful distance and let them go about their business.

11. See the Bison

Distance Varies (driving) Time 1-2 hrs Difficulty Easy

America’s national mammal roams free in the Sage Creek area. The herd is often visible from Sage Creek Rim Road. These animals are massive, unpredictable, and fast. Stay in your car or keep at least 100 yards distance. Best viewing is early morning and late evening when the herd is active.

12. Bighorn Sheep

Distance Varies Time Varies Difficulty Easy

Bighorn sheep are found throughout the park’s badlands formations. They are harder to spot than bison or prairie dogs but incredibly rewarding when you do. Look for them on the steep cliff faces and rocky outcrops, especially in the Cedar Pass and Pinnacles area. Early morning is the best time.

13. Sheep Mountain Overlook

Distance Short walk from parking Time 20 min Difficulty Easy

The most remote overlook in the park and one of the best. The drive out here takes you through the Stronghold Unit (part of the Pine Ridge Reservation) and the views are completely different from the main Loop Road. Far fewer folks make it out here, which is part of the appeal.

14. Camp at Sage Creek

Distance N/A Time Overnight Difficulty Easy

One of the best free campgrounds in the national park system. First-come, first-served, no reservations needed. Bison wander through the campground regularly. The night sky from here is phenomenal. Pit toilets, no water. Bring everything you need.

15. Backcountry Hiking

Distance Varies Time Half day-full day Difficulty Moderate-Hard

Badlands allows off-trail hiking anywhere in the park with no permit required. Pick a wash, follow a ridgeline, or just wander into the formations. The terrain is fragile and disorienting so bring a GPS, plenty of water, and tell someone your plan. This is where you find genuine solitude in a place that looks like another planet.

Watch Our Award-Winning Badlands Film

https://youtu.be/JF7sUGavan8

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you need at Badlands?

One full day covers the highlights along the Loop Road. Two days lets you add the Sage Creek area and backcountry hiking. Three days is ideal for a thorough visit.

Is Badlands worth visiting?

Absolutely. It is one of the most underrated parks in the system. The landscapes, wildlife, and sense of open space are genuinely special. If you’re in western South Dakota, there is no excuse to skip it.

Can I drive a regular car through the park?

Yes. The main Loop Road is paved and accessible to all vehicles. Sage Creek Rim Road is unpaved but usually passable for sedans in dry conditions. When wet, it can be impassable. Check current conditions at the visitor center.