South Dakota Est. 1978

Badlands National Park

Prairie Canyon

Plan a visit Check conditions

Established

1978

Size

242,756 acres

Visitors / yr

Entrance

$30

Best season

April through October

Nearest airport

RAP Rapid City Regional

Caution: Navigation Details Wildfire Tracker

Why Badlands is worth the trip

South Dakota · Established 1978

The Badlands look like another planet parked in the middle of South Dakota grassland. Banded buttes and spires in pink, tan, and gray erode so fast the landscape changes measurably within a lifetime, and those crumbling walls keep giving up fossils. This is one of the richest beds of Eocene and Oligocene mammals on Earth, ancient rhinos and three-toed horses included.

The wildlife is the surprise. Bison graze the mixed-grass prairie along Sage Creek Rim Road, bighorn sheep work the ledges, and prairie dog towns sprawl for acres. Drive the Badlands Loop Road in the last hour of light, when the formations turn colors that look invented, then stay out after dark for some of the blackest night sky in the Midwest.

Start with our full Badlands guide, then use the planning below.

Conditions today Good day to go

WeatherHigh 93°F · Sunny

WildfireNo active fires nearby Clear

NPS alerts1 routine alert 1 active

Air quality map Wildfire tracker

See live Badlands conditions in the all-parks tracker

Open, clean air, no fire nearby, and no severe weather; the Park Service has 1 routine alert worth a look.

Top things to do in Badlands

Where we would start, and what we would plan a day around. Read the full guide.

Start here

20 Things to Do in Badlands National Park (2026 Guide)

Read the guide

Junior Ranger Program · nps.gov Become a Badlands Junior Ranger Become a Junior Ranger at Badlands National Park! By completing a fun activity book, you can earn a Junior Ranger badge and pledge to... 02

Astronomy · nps.gov Badlands Astronomy Festival 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,... 03

Guided Tours · nps.gov Badlands Ranger Programs Many different programs are led by rangers at Badlands National Park. Learn more about wildlife, geology, paleontology, and more by stopping at a ranger... 04

Hiking · nps.gov Hiking the Badlands Interested in hiking at Badlands National Park? Read about rules, official trails, and the park's open hike policy here.

Best hikes in Badlands

The trails that define the park, with the distance and elevation numbers that decide your day.

1 Notch Trail The best hike in the park, under a mile each way. 2 Castle Trail The longest marked trail, the one that feels like a real hike. 3 Door Trail A boardwalk to a natural door in the Badlands Wall. 4 Window Trail A short boardwalk to a genuinely dramatic framed view. 5 Saddle Pass Trail A quarter mile rated strenuous, straight up the Badlands Wall.

All Badlands hikes

Before you go

Get the Badlands heads-up

Permit windows, closures and seasonal alerts, plus our best Badlands guides, in your inbox before you go. Free, no spam.

Plan your trip

Our guides for the big decisions, plus the gear, maps and lodging we would actually use for Badlands.

Things to Do Best Hikes Fun Facts

Where to stay

Gateway towns with lodging, food and outfitters.

Wall, SDGateway town
Interior, SDGateway town
Rapid City, SDGateway town
Sage Creek Campground 22 sites
Cedar Pass Campground 96 sites · Reserve

Compare stays near Badlands

Maps & guides

Carry paper. Cell service dies fast inside most parks.

Badlands Trails Illustrated map

Waterproof National Geographic topo of the park.

View on Amazon

Badlands field guide

Trail-by-trail detail and planning help in print.

View on Amazon

America the Beautiful pass

$80 a year. Covers entrance fees at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.

Get the pass

What to bring

Field-tested picks we bring on park trips.

Sun Hat

Full-brim coverage for exposed trails with zero shade. View on REI
Water Bottles

Carry at least 2 liters. More in desert heat. View on REI
Hiking Boots

Ankle support and grip for rocky, uneven terrain. View on REI
Sun-Protective Shirt

UPF 50+ fabric keeps you cool and blocks UV all day. View on REI

Getting there

RAP Rapid City Regional 55 mi

NPS Official Page Reservations Google Maps

Some links in this section are affiliate links. If you book or buy through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend what we would use ourselves.

Badlands map

VC Visitor Center CG Campground Nearby Park

When to go

Loading weather...

Month-by-Month Conditions

Tap any month for details

Month

High

Low

Crowds

Roads

Jan

34°

11°

Low

Open

Feb

40°

16°

Low

Open

Mar

48°

24°

Low

Open

Apr Best

62°

36°

Light

Open

May Best

72°

46°

Heavy

Open

Jun Best

83°

56°

Peak

Open

Jul Best

92°

62°

Peak

Open

Aug Best

91°

61°

Peak

Open

Sep Best

81°

51°

Peak

Open

Oct Best

68°

39°

Moderate

Open

Nov

50°

26°

Low

Open

Dec

39°

17°

Low

Open

Best months to visit Crowd level (low to peak)

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