The Badlands Inn is located just outside the boundary of Badlands National Park and only a few minute's drive from the parking lot to the park entrance and fee station.
Badlands Inn - Badlands National Park
We stayed at the Badlands Inn during our last trip and stayed in a two-queen bedroom on the second floor of the inn.
I will tell you when you pull up to the hotel it does look a bit tired and worn out. Don't worry the room was super clean and comfortable.
Another first impression was that it was rather dark around the hotel with little outdoor lighting. There was also no elevator and we were on the second floor, something to think about for those with mobility restrictions. Of course, the first thing my dear wife noticed was the free Wi-Fi.
I personally like that the hotel had a private bathroom with a bathroom door between the bathroom and sink, this way one can go take a shower in the morning while another is at the sink and not sitting around waiting. I also enjoyed seeing local native art on the walls.
The biggest benefit here is Location, Location, Location! The Inn is just minutes from many of the park's attractions as well as only being 10 miles from Minuteman Missile National Historic Site! The other big benefit was the air-conditioned rooms! We showed up in late summer and it was hot!
The location of the Badlands Inn makes it a truly amazing place to stay. You can be at two different National Park sites within minutes.
We woke up early and were able to watch one of the Badlands famous sunrises minutes after leaving the hotel at the Wall trailhead. The Cedar Pass Restaurant is just down the street if you want a full meal. The hotel does offer a free continental breakfast but we were already in the park and missed it.
Badlands National Park Entrance fee
Private Vehicle: $30
Motorcycle: $25
Per Person: $15
There is an entrance fee to enter Badlands National Park. Fees are listed below or you can choose to purchase your pass in advance through the link below.
The park pass covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and for up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Park Ranger John Notes
I would rate the Badlands Inn as a 3-star hotel. The Badlands Inn does not have an outdoor pool or fitness center and I would not consider these typical amenities that you see in a National Park Lodge.
You will however be centrally located to most of the park's attractions and trails as well as giving you an unobstructed view of the spectacular Badlands!
- TripAdvisor Rating 3.0 out of 5
Lodge Information
- Number of Rooms 20
- Operating Season is Mid-May through Mid-October
- There are 3 Accessible guestrooms available. You must call to make a reservation for one of these rooms.
- Phone Number (833)272-0011
- Online Reservations
- Address Badlands Inn 20615 South Dakota Highway 377 Interior, SD. 57750
- Check-In Time 4:00 PM
- Check-Out Time 11:00 AM
- Nearest Airport: Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is the closest major airport, located just 55 miles from Badlands National Park. Airlines serving Rapid City include Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, and United.
- Deposit The first-night stay is due at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due at the time of checkout.
- Cancellation Policy Cancellations made more than 48 hours prior to arrival by 4:00 pm MST will be assessed a $10 fee. Cancellations within 48 hours of your arrival will result in a loss of deposit.
- Guest Room types available include 1 double bed, 1 queen bed, or 2 queen beds.
Room Amenities
- Unobstructed views of the Badlands!
- Mini Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Flat-Screen TVs with Cable channels
- Free Continental Breakfast
- Bamboo Towels
- Upgraded bed Linen
- Chair
- Hair dryer
- Coffee Maker
- Luggage rack
- Air Conditioned rooms / Heat
- Free WiFi - Complimentary (WIFI)
- Free Parking
- 100% non-smoking property
The Badlands Inn is a pet friendly property and welcomes pets. (There is a $10/night additional fee per pet).
Children 15 years and younger stay free in the same room with adult
Rollaway beds available for $10/night
The Badlands Inn does not have an on-site Restaurant but does have a free complimentary continental breakfast.
You can go just down the road inside the park to the Cedar Pass Lodge Restaurant next to the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.
The restaurant has a good variety of local and regionally sourced dishes including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
They also make their own fry bread each day fresh for our Famous Indian Tacos! There is even a vegetarian option.
National Park Lodges often sell out months in advance and there are very few lodging options near Badlands National Park.
There are a couple of hotel options in Wall, SD but the closest large city is Rapid City, South Dakota and it is on the way to several popular parks in the Black Hills including Mount Rushmore and Wind Cave National Park Below is a list of hotels in the Rapid City Area.
Badlands Top Attractions near the Badlands Inn
- Ben Reifel Visitor Center
- Cedar Pass Lodge
- Cedar Pass Campground and amphitheater (Evening Ranger Programs)
- Door Trailhead
- Notch Trail
- Medicine Root Trailhead
- Big Badlands Overlook
- Saddle Pass Trailhead
- Toadstool Rock
- Fossil Exhibit Trailhead
- Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
Guided Tours
There are a couple of really cool guided tours available in Badlands Natl Park.
Badlands NP Private Tour - Enjoy a private tour of the park and stop at famous features including a stop at Wall, South Dakota. Learn about the history of the area and spend the day discovering the rare geology of the Badlands.
Badlands Tour with Minuteman Missile NHS - Travel to Badlands National Park and explore this spectacular terrain on a full-day guided tour. Catch a glimpse of America's nuclear arsenal during the Cold War and learn about its history with your expert guide.
Badlands Bike Tour with Lunch - Join a bike tour of Badlands National Park. Cycle around the park and learn its history from your experienced guide. Admire the spectacular scenery and wildlife as you pedal.
Badlands Lodging near the park
Best Western Plains Motel - Free continental breakfast, an arcade/game room, and a gym are just a few of the amenities provided at Best Western Plains Motel. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. In addition to a business center, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
Econo Lodge Wall - free to-go breakfast and more. Guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
Super 8 by Wyndham Wall - free to-go breakfast and a business center. Guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
America's Best Value Inn Wall - free continental breakfast, a free daily manager's reception, and laundry facilities. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a bar and a gym.
Days Inn by Wyndham Wall - free to-go breakfast, laundry facilities, and a gym at Days Inn by Wyndham Wall. Free in-room Wi-Fi and conference space are available to all guests.
Click on the map below to see additional vacation rental and lodging options near the park.
For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!
Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando
Additional Badlands National Park Articles
Badlands National Park Guide - Your complete guide to planning a trip to Badlands National Park
Things to do in Badlands NP - Make sure to see all the parks attractions and highlights
Badlands NP Hiking Guide - Your guide to the park's most popular trails including the Notch Trail, Fossil Exhibit Trail, Castle Trail, and Window Trail
Cedar Pass Cabins - Located right behind the restaurant and gift shop and next to the Ben Reifel Visitor Center
Badlands National Park Camping Guide Complete the camping guide to Badlands National Park including Sage Creek Campground and Cedar Pass Campground
History of Badlands National Park
For a fun adventure, check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built-in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!
Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Orlando
National Park Sites near Badlands NP
There are several National Park Sites located in the Black Hills of South Dakota making it one of the best All-American Road Trips in America! Listed below are other parks to visit and camping options:
Wind Cave National Park - America's first National Park set aside specifically for protecting a cave
Custer State Park - Consistently listed as one of America's top 10 State Parks!
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
Devils Tower National Monument
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Check out all of the South Dakota National Parks along with neighboring North Dakota National Parks, Montana National Parks, Wyoming National Parks, Kansas National Parks, and National Parks in Minnesota
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Jen says
That place looks wonderful and the location is ideal!