Badlands Inn at Badlands National Park South Dakota

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Badlands Inn - Badlands National Park

The Badlands Inn is currently Closed until further notice and am unaware of a reopening date.
If you are planning on staying in Badlands National Park, Check out my article on Cedar Pass Lodge

Check for Cedar Pass Lodge Availability in Badlands National Park

The Badlands Inn is a simple, well maintained hotel just outside the North Unit of Badlands National Park, making a convient base for exploring the best of Badlands National Park.

This no-frills roadside motel delivers exactly what visitors need after a long day of exploring the Badlands Area, a cool, quiet clean room to recharge for the next day!

Badlands Inn located one mile from Badlands National Park South Dakota

Our Stay in the Badlands Inn

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.

two queen beds in the Badlands Inn room located on the second floor

Room Types

Standard Rooms

The Badlands Inn offers one room type across its two-story building, all remodeled in 2013 with hardwood floors, modern fixtures, and views of the Badlands formations right outside the window. Rooms are available with one king bed or two queen beds with a private bathroom. Note that there is no elevator, so second-floor rooms require stair access. Three ADA-accessible rooms are available and must be reserved by calling the inn directly.

Standard Room with One King Bed
Standard Room with Two Queen Beds
ADA Accessible Room (call to reserve)

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

Flat Screen TV with cable channels available

Badlands Inn Dining Options

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..

Lodge Information

Operating Season is Mid-May through Mid-October

Number of Rooms 20

There are 3 Accessible guestrooms available. You must call to make a reservation for one of these rooms.

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.

Bathroom is seperated with a door so one can take a shower while someone else is at the sink at Badlands Inn

Things to do When Staying at the Badlands Inn

🌄 Drive the Badlands Loop Road, one of the most scenic drives in the national park system
🥾 Hike the Notch Trail for dramatic canyon views and a scramble up a log ladder
🦬 Wildlife watch for bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and black-footed ferrets throughout the park
📸 Photograph the Badlands formations at sunrise and sunset when the colors are most dramatic
🌌 Stargaze under some of the darkest skies in the eastern United States, with spectacular Milky Way views
🏔️ Walk the Door, Window, and Notch Trails, three short hikes that showcase the park's most dramatic terrain
🦅 Birdwatch for golden eagles, prairie falcons, and turkey vultures soaring above the formations
🚗 Explore the Sage Creek Wilderness area and remote backcountry roads for solitude and wildlife
🏛️ Visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center for exhibits on the Badlands' geology, paleontology, and Lakota history
🦕 Stop at the Fossil Exhibit Trail boardwalk to see replicas of prehistoric creatures found in the park

Badlands National Park Tours

⭐️ 4.6 of 5 Stars - Badlands National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour - Click here for Rates and Availability.

Learn all about the park's overlooks, hiking trails, history, and more as you travel along the Badlands Wall with this private self-guided app tour. The app's virtual narrorator shares fascinating facts about the national park, from local culture to fossils, while letting you explore at your own pace and terms.

⭐️ 4.8 of 5 Stars - Badlands NP Private Tour - Click here for Rates and Availability.

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.

Car parked in front of a cabin at Cedar Pass Lodge Badlands National Park USA — Cedar Pass Lodge Cabins in Badlands National Park

Badlands Lodging near the park

⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Best Western Plains Motel - Click here for Rates and Availability.

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.

⭐️ 4.1 of 5 Stars - America's Best Value Inn Wall - Click here for Rates and Availability.

America's Best Value Inn is a short 4 minute walk to the National Grasslands Visitor Center, and 7 minutes to Wall Drug. Badlands National Park is 7.2 miles away, and Minnuteman Missile National Historic Site is 6.9 miles making a great hub for area attractions

They offer 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.

Click on the map below to see additional vacation rental and lodging options near the park.

Badlands National Park Entrance Fee

Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.

Park Entrance Pass - $30.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $25.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

Annual Park Entrance Pass - $55.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.

$25.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)

$50.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats

$60.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats

$150.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats

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.

2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

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 free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.

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

Micro Fridge and microwave are some of the amenities available at Badlands Inn

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: