If you’re visiting Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, you may be wondering whether nearby Badlands National Park is worth visiting.
People rarely travel to South Dakota just for the Badlands, but it’s worth spending a full day exploring the park by doing the scenic drive, a few hikes or short walks, and eating in the visitor center. The unusual rock formations and the potential for solitude make this park unique. It makes for a nice camping spot as well!
With over 244,000 acres of beauty, the Badland’s diverse landscapes and nature highlight some of the most scenic views smack dab in the middle of the prairie. Bison, prairie dogs, mountain goats, and more roam these lands as well as many geologic formations that house one of the world’s richest fossil beds.
Though I’ve visited the Badlands multiple times, I finally had the chance recently to get out and actually explore more of the unique grounds and hike some of the more famous trails. Stick with me and I’ll share my firsthand experience and opinions of this notable park.
Before planning your trip to Mount Rushmore read When Is The Best Time To Visit Mount Rushmore? and How Much Time Do You Need At Mount Rushmore?
The fee as of 2024 is $30 to enter the park. This pass is good for up to 7 days.
The most popular thing to do in the Badlands is follow the Loop Road through Badlands National Park. Don’t forget to stop and get out of your car often.
This is the only main road that travels through the park and the nice thing about it is that it connects to I-80 on each side. You can easily visit the park as a detour off the freeway and connect back up with the freeway on the other side.
It’s about a 1-hour drive if you simply drive from one end of the park to the other, but most people take about 3 hours because there are several great places to get out of your car and explore including short hikes, great overlooks, and a very good visitor center (more on that later!)
There are 16 overlooks to check out as you drive through this desolate yet beautiful park. Something great about the viewpoints at the Badlands is that you can easily see from your car what you will see from the viewpoint. It’s great to get out for a closer look, but it’s easy to see from the road if it is a place that you want to stop. Below is a list of my favorites and why I like them.
You may stumble across many different wildlife species as you drive through the park. Bison, prairie dogs, sheep, goats, ferrets, and birds. Beware of rattlesnakes!
Don’t do what I did and forget to bring your binoculars! If you want to spot some of the more elusive animals or get a close-up view then don’t forget to pack them.
Hiking is a popular activity in the park and there are many designated trails along the Loop Road. You can grab a park map that shows hiking trails at the entrance with your park guide and receipt. I’ve done several of the hikes in the park and even took notes!
Recently, I did the Notch Trail because it’s one of the most popular hikes. I’ve seen dozens of pictures of the wooden ladder on the trail. It was quite startling to climb this, but also really cool. What an adventure! But I would not recommend taking small children. There are several cliff areas and the ladder itself is quite a feat. This trail ends with a stunning view of the valley before heading back. It is a 1.5-mile round trip and is said to take 1.5-2 hours, but we did it in 30 minutes.
Trails in the badlands can range from 0.25 miles to the longest, the Castle Trail, being 10 miles round trip. This trail is rated as moderate. Most of the trails are not too strenuous, but with the summer sun and heat, and no shade being a factor, make sure to bring plenty of water on any hike you plan to do, no matter how short it may be.
Learn: all you need to know about hiking in the desert.
Horses are allowed in the badlands but must NOT be on designated trails.
There are plenty of places to stop and enjoy a picnic in the Badlands. You can find a cool rock to sit on or even a designated picnic area. The Big Foot Picnic Area is our #1 choice.
However, the badlands can be quite windy on certain days. If the weather isn’t cooperating you can sit in your car at one of the many scenic overlooks and enjoy your lunch there.
The Badlands are far from any city or light pollution which makes it a prime place to view the stars and Milky Way on a clear night. Many photographers camp out and take stunning photos of the sunset or the sunrise. The open skies are perfect for capturing these breathtaking moments.
In the last couple of years, we have had the fortunate luck to view the northern lights in South Dakota and a perfect spot for viewing them is also in the Badlands. These events are rare and unpredictable but if you are fortunate enough to be visiting during one of these events, then this is the place you want to be.
There are two designated campgrounds in the Badlands: Cedar Pass Campground and Sage Creek.
Cedar Pass takes reservations and is open year-round except for some seasonal closures. This is located near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. No campfires are permitted nor is collecting firewood.
Sage Creek is a free campground and is first come first serve. Only 22 sites are available and the size of the trailer is limited to 18 feet. This does not apply to horse trailers and is one of the designated horse camping areas.
There are pit toilets but no water here. For potable water, you must bring your own or get it at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Campfires are not allowed either, but you can use a charcoal grill.
Read about: campgrounds in other parts of the Black Hills.
Ben Reifel is open year-round and has a great souvenir shop, free exhibits, a bookstore, and clean bathrooms. Park staff are available to answer any questions you may have. This is next to the Cedar Pass Lodge which is open spring, summer, and fall. It has a restaurant, an amphitheater, and campgrounds.
This is one of the coolest visitor centers I’ve ever been to. Did you know that one of the reasons the Badlands was designated a national park was because of all the fossils? At the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, they have a viewing area where guests can watch employees actually cutting the rock away to uncover newly found fossils.
It is so neat and I’ve never seen something available like this in any other other national park. While visiting, I was told that people discover new fossils within the park often, including a 7-year-old girl, Kylie Furguson, who found the fossil of a saber-toothed tiger!
The White River Visitor Center is located in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and is open seasonally, spring, summer, and fall. You can find the same amenities at White River as you do at Ben Reifel and talk to rangers for information as well. I haven’t been to this visitor center myself yet.
Horseback riding is allowed anywhere in the Badlands except on marked trails, roads, and developed areas like campgrounds and overlooks. You may park your horse trailer at overlooks for access to day riding though. There are no designated riding trails, but topographic maps are available for purchase in the visitor center.
Downloadable Quick Start Trip Planner included!
This will greatly depend on what you are doing and how much time you have. I usually spend about 4 hours when I visit. I normally drive the loop road, pull over for wildlife, and any overlook that sparks my interest. A quick stop at the visitor center is a must. If I do a hike or two, it adds an extra hour to my day.
Most people will spend roughly that amount of time as well. Schedule an entire day if you are an extreme adventurer, want to explore all the trails offered, drive the entire Loop Road, or see the South Unit (yep, there are 2 units in the Badlands but the South Unit is very hard to get to).
I asked the ranger working at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center when she believed the best time to visit was. She said mid-April through mid-May because of fewer crowds and the greenery. That is the time of year when I last visited and I was surprised at how much plant life there was. The prairie really was beautiful in the spring.
She also said that Fall is nice because the sunlight is a little different on the rocks.
Only 50-100 people a day visit in the winter and the snow is cool on the formations.
Summer is super hot and crowded. It’s her least favorite time to visit the park.
One of the biggest reasons people DON’T visit the Badlands is because of how far away it is from most places people stay when visiting the Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore. It’s about 1 1/2 hours from Custer, Keystone, Hill City, and Deadwood. It’s a little under 1 hour away from Hill City.
There are 3 entrances to the Badlands. The Pinnacles Entrance is great for visitors taking HWY 240 from the West. This is good for people coming from Rapid City.
The North East Entrance is good for visitors coming from the West, driving on I-90. Take Exit 131 and follow the signs directing vehicles south approximately three miles to the Northeast Entrance
Both of these entrances will get you to Loop Road, the scenic drive that goes through the entire park. The Badlands is divided into two units, the North Unit and the South Unit. Most people do not drive the entire loop road but use a portion of it to drive through the North Unit, the most popular area of the Badlands. This is where all the hikes and viewpoints listed above are located.
They will either drive through the park as far as they would like and then turn around and exit through the same entrance they entered the park from, or drive through the North Unit and exit the park from the entrance at the end, onto their next destination. I’ve done both and it has worked out well. You just need to plan your driving route ahead so you can be the most efficient with your time.
The last entrance, the Interior, can be found along a scenic alternative route to the park, State Highway 44 that intersects Highway 377 in Interior, South Dakota.
The only place to eat in the park is the Cedar Pass Lodge which is only open from April through October. If you visit in the winter you’ll want to pack your own food. I always bring my own food or drinks so I have something to snack on while driving the loop.
The lodge does have a gift shop, a few grocery items, and a grill that serves burgers and Indian bison tacos. I tried one and it was ok but not worth going out of my way for. Typical national park food- pricey for what you get. They also sell pre-made sandwiches and salads.
Don’t Miss: The Best Places To Eat In Each City Of The Black Hills.
You can always hit up Wall Drug on your way in or out of the park. They have famous and absolutely delicious donuts as well as a cafeteria stocked with good eats. Wall Drug donuts are something I usually pick up on my way into the Badlands and snack on as I drive.
It started in 1931. When business was struggling, they began to advertise free water for tourists traveling across the plains. Now it checks all the boxes of a perfect tourist trap!
They have all sorts of quirky shops selling souvenirs but my favorite is “the Back Yard” where there are great statues for photo opportunities and even a giant animatronic T-Rex. It’s crowded, crazy, cheesy, and… cool! Try it at least once and see if you find yourself enjoying this unique experience.
The town of Wall is the closest place to grab a bite after Cedar Pass Lodge. If you aren’t feeling the Wall Drug options there are some restaurants and even a Dairy Queen in town. You can review my Wall Drug article for more information on that!
On my last trip to Wall, I explored one of the town’s newest additions, Dahl’s Chainsaw Art. The Dahl brothers have a few locations across the Black Hills where they sell amazing wood creations carved with nothing but a chainsaw. It’s so cool.
What is really great about this particular location is the giant Jackalope carving that you can actually climb inside. It really is a work of art and their best carving yet. You can check it out for free but a donation is suggested.
I’ve already noted the camping in Badlands National Park, but here I will direct you to some other options within the vicinity as well.
Here you can book a stay at one of the 27 cabins on property-starting at around $228 per night. Personally, I would either camp at one of the two campgrounds or head into Rapid City for more options.
The town of Wall has many motels available as well as a campground and cabins. They currently have a Days Inn (book here), America’s Best Value Inn (book here), Best Western Plains Motel (book here)- (we’ve stayed here and it was nice!), and a few others.
Rapid City has many hotels, motels, campgrounds, and Airbnb options. I would recommend the Watiki Indoor Waterpark Resort which is fun for families! If you want to stay in a more upscale hotel that is also rumored to be “haunted” then check out The Alex Johnson Hotel (book here) in downtown Rapid City.
Visit the famously large gift/novelty shop that is loaded with unique treasures and many picture opportunities! Grab a donut (or three) and a 5-cent cup of coffee before heading back on the highway.
If more current history interests you, you might want to check out this place. Playing a huge role in the Cold War and housing thousands of Air Force personnel from 1963 to the early 1990s, the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is just a quick 10-minute drive from Wall Drug.
The visitor center is new and has a terrific movie (this movie has won awards and is way better than what you see in most visitor centers) that really brings to light how serious the Cold War was.
You can also book a guided tour to explore an underground missile control center at the launch control facility. I did this and it was fascinating. Only 6 visitors per group and my tour was led by a ranger who had actually worked at the control center during his career. If you can get tickets, DO THIS! Book yours here.
This historic site is open year-round except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
This short stop (less than 1 hour) was such a good insight into what it was like to settle the prairie. There is a real sod home on site that was built in 1909 as well as some other buildings and farming equipment.
There are tons of prairie dogs on the property (even rare white ones!). One other special thing about the Prairie Homestead is that they have bonnets and hats available for you to wear as you explore. Great for pictures!
Just an hour away is Rapid City, South Dakota, and not only are there plenty of places to eat, sleep, and play, but it’s mere minutes from many of the famous attractions that bring millions to the Black Hills every year. Rapid City is a great central place to stay for a vacation in the Black Hills. Make sure you check out our article on all the unforgettable things to do in Rapid City.
About 51 minutes East of Wall Drug is the iconic 1880 town that some say feels like you just stepped back in time. Otherwise known as South Dakota’s Attic, you will find a town that was authentically built to recreate a town between 1880 and 1920. The structures and antiques are all authentic.
This town is a real treat to visit and spend a couple of hours in. It’s open seasonally May through October and the summer has a bustle of guests, employees dressed to represent the times, and old-fashioned treats like sasparilla.
Check out: The 1880 Train In South Dakota: Should You Ride It?
Check out: Our Recommended Gear
I enjoy my visits to the Badlands but there are other things in the Black Hills that I much prefer to do. I prefer the mountains, trees, and lakes. I love hiking where there is shade and lush foliage with flowers and butterflies. The Badlands are not this.
The Badlands are 1 1/2 hours from Custer, SD, or 1 hour away from Rapid City, SD, where many visitors to the Black Hills choose to stay. It’s often too big of a drive to visit, especially because there are so many great things to do in the Black Hills that are closer.
My first visit to the Black Hills did not include the Badlands and I made sure to check them out the next time I came through. Though I was impressed, I was not sorry I skipped them on my first visit. I do not even take everyone who visits me in South Dakota to the Badlands. I save it for visit number two. If that visit comes.
With all of that said, I know people who prefer the Badlands to other parts of the state and find them fascinating and magnificent.
In fact, Matt and Cheryl, the owners of We’re in the Rockies, have a different point of view. On their first trip to the Badlands, they visited Wall Drug and mostly just drove through the Badlands. They enjoyed how quirky Wall Drug was and enjoyed the open hike policy. It was one of the few places they could get some solace.
On their second trip, they took the time to do several hikes, visit the visitor center, and check out all the viewpoints. They were there in May and really enjoyed the green prairie and thought the hikes were the best. They also loved the Minutemen Missile Visitor Center and the Prairie Homestead. Now they never skip the Badlands when visiting South Dakota.
Don’t let me deter you from checking them out, but hopefully, this will help you decide and plan your visit to our beautiful state much easier.
The Black Hills can be confusing because it is a HUGE area. There is so much to do!
Most travelers want to visit the most popular sites, yet still avoid crowds. We have a detailed itinerary that gives you a step-by-step game plan so you can get to all the best places at the right times!
But that’s not all! Our itinerary includes a free audio guide to listen to while driving, with over 2 hours of stories about the park!
BLACK HILLS TRIP PLANNER: To read or watch all of our content about the Black Hills, check out our Black Hills Homepage
AREAS: The Black Hills is home to some amazing national parks and monuments: Mt. Rushmore, Wind Cave and Jewel Cave National Parks, Badlands, and Crazy Horse. Plus, the amazing Custer State Park
THINGS TO DO: There is much more to do than hike and look at Mt. Rushmore. Explore the 1880 train, Reptile Gardens, slip down a natural waterslide, or go on a scenic drive
GREAT CITIES TO STAY OR CHECK OUT: Explore some amazing mountain towns including Deadwood, Keystone, Hill City, and Rapid City
GET QUIRKY: Want something REALLY different? Check out Devil’s Tower and Wall Drug
WHERE TO EAT: Check out the best places to eat in and around Mt. Rushmore plus where to eat in each city
WATCH: Enjoy videos of the amazing Black Hills while learning our best tips for visiting by watching our Black Hills YouTube Playlist
This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site.
Receive weekly newsletters updating you on the Best of the West including: essential travel tips, park updates, stories, and our favorite things to see and do.
