There are 2 Campgrounds at Badlands National Park; Cedar Pass Campground and Sage Creek Campground.
Cedar Pass Campground is centrally located in the main part of the park while the Sage Creek Campground is a little more remote.
Badlands National Park Camping
Camping in Badlands National Park is a great way to experience this incredible destination.
Overnight stays enable you to go to the park's amphitheater for an evening program about the night sky from one of the Badlands Park Rangers,
You can get up early to see the sunrise, look for wildlife like Bighorn Sheep, bison, black-footed ferrets, turkeys, and prairie dogs and end the day with a great sunset.
One thing to remember is South Dakota is known for warm days and cool nights. Be prepared for the weather to change often.
Cedar Pass Campground is the closest location to the Ben Reifel Visitor Center and has RV sites, tent camping, picnic area, and is close to Cedar Pass Restaurant.
You can now make advance reservations for Cedar Pass Campground.
Sage Creek Campground is a primitive campground off of a dirt road with no amenities close by.
Staying in Sage Creek is definitely more of a wilderness area with Bison roaming by and Prairie Dogs near the pit toilet.
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.
Cedar Pass Campground
Location: Cedar Pass Campground is located on the park's east side near the Cedar Pass Lodge, restaurant, and the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.
This puts you close to numerous activities and the ability to go to the park's amphitheater for an evening ranger program and perhaps even a program on the night sky. The campground offers amazing views of the Badlands.
Open: The campground is not open year-round. The campground is open seasonally typically from around Early April to mid-October.
Number of sites: There are 96 camp sites: 23 electrical hookup sites, and 73 sites for tent campers. There are also an additional 4 Group Sites available
Campground Fees/ Cost per night
Individual sites - $28 a night for two people, $29.60 with tax and fees, and $4 a night for each additional person.
RV sites - $42 a night for two people, $44.39 with taxes and fees, and $4 a night for each additional person.
Senior/Access Pass Accepted? Yes, Check the reservation line for current rates
Campsite Reservations: Reserve your campsites online or call (855) 765-0737 for more information and reservations.
Campground Address:
20681 SD Highway 240
Interior, SD.57750
RVs allowed?: Yes, there are 23 sites in the campground with RV hookups. There are no full hookups in Badlands National Park, there are only electric hookups with 30-amp and 50-amp service.
GPS: 43.7478N,101.9452W
Elevation: 2400'
Campground amenities:
Dump Station: There is an RV Dump Station that is $1.00 per use
Bear Boxes: No
Flush Toilets: Yes
Shower: Yes, pay showers are available
Payphone: No
Is Wi-Fi available? No, WIFI is available at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center and the Cedar Pass Restaurant
Is Cellular Phone Service Available? Spotty in areas around the Ben Reifel Visitor Center
Is the camp host available on-site? Yes. located at site #11 of the Agate Loop
Is firewood available for purchase? No
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
Amenities at each campsite:
Fire rings in the site? No. Camp stoves or contained charcoal grills can be used in campgrounds and picnic areas. When using charcoal grills, ensure the charcoal is cool prior to disposal to prevent a trash fire.
Picnic Table in the site? Yes, the sites has covered picnic tables
Potable Water? Yes Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater
There is very little shade available and it gets very hot. Be prepared for the sun and heat.
There are three campground loops; Group Loop, Agate Loop, and Butte Loop
Amenities include a covered picnic table, drinking water available, and flush toilets.
Fires are not permitted in either of the campgrounds in Badlands National Park but you can use camp stoves and charcoal grills.
Don't forget to pack
Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water.
We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips. Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors.
Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.
Bring your water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.
Sunglasses - I always bring sunglasses with me. I personally love Goodr sunglasses because they are lightweight, durable, and have awesome National Park Designs from several National Parks like Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, Denali, and more!
Click here to get your National Parks Edition of Goodr Sunglasses!
Binoculars/Spotting Scope - These will help spot birds and wildlife and make them easier to identify. We tend to see waterfowl in the distance, and they are always just a bit too far to identify them without binoculars.
Campground Rules:
There is a 14-day maximum stay limit.
There is also an RV Dump Station that is $1.00
Quiet Hours are 10 pm-6 am
Generators are allowed except during quiet hours
Pets must be on a leash at all times
Maximum of 6 people, 2 vehicles, and 2 tents per campsite
Make sure to check out my full article on Cedar Pass Campground for full details and to see more photos from the campground!
Sage Creek Campground
The Sage Creek Campground is a primitive camping experience.
To get to Sage Creek Campground you must take a 10-mile dirt road (Sage Creek Rim Road) which is typically wash boarded and rough.
Spring rains and winter snows can close the road temporarily. The great news is that the campground is free of charge.
We saw lots of prairie dogs in the campground and saw Bison just outside the campground.
This campground is becoming incredibly popular so the National Park Service is looking at how to best manage the campground.
Number of Sites: 22
Location: Located off of a 10-mile dirt road (Sage Creek Rim Road)
Cost per night: Free Camping at Sage Creek Campground
Reservations?: No, Sage Creek Campground is a first-served campground and does not require reservations.
Campground amenities: You will not find much for amenities except for a picnic table and a vault/ pit toilets. Don't expect WIFI, cell phone reception, there is no water
RVs allowed?: Yes, RV campers are allowed, however, RVs greater than 18 feet in length are prohibited
GPS: 43.8940N,102.4140W
Campground Regulations
The maximum number of people in a campsite: 6
The number of cars per campsite: 2 cars are allowed per site and trailers count as one vehicle. The parking lots are large with plenty of room.
Checkout time: 12 noon
Quiet Hours: 10 pm-6 am
The campground limit is 10 consecutive days.
Generators are allowed except during quiet hours
Pets must be on a leash at all times
See more photos and information on the Sage Creek Campground
Backcountry Camping in Badlands National Park
Great News! Back-country camping is permitted anywhere in the park as long as it is at least a half mile from a road or trail and is not visible from a trail or roadway.
You are not required to have a permit to camp in the backcountry, however, contact a staff member at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center or Pinnacles Entrance Station for more information.
Backcountry registers are located at the Medicine/Castle Trail Loop, Saddle Pass Trailhead, Conata Picnic Area, Sage Creek Basin Overlook, and the Sage Creek Campground.
Carry at least 1 gallon of water per person per day. Don't plan on finding water in the park as there is little and water found here is not drinkable or filterable due to the high sediment content.
For your personal safety, always carry the 10 essentials including a detailed park map, and know how to use them.
Badlands National Park Entrance fee
Private Vehicle: $30
Motorcycle: $25
Per Person: $15
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.
Interested in a Guided Tour?
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.
Additional Information about Badlands National Park
Complete Guide to Badlands National Park - Your guide to exploring Badlands National Park
Things To Do in Badlands National Park - List of activities to do in Badlands National Park. Activities include driving the Badlands Loop Road and Sage Creek Rim Road, exploring the Ben Reifel Visitor's Center and fossil preparation lab, and attending a night sky program from one of the park ranger programs held at the park Amphitheater
Badlands Inn - Lodge is located just 1 mile outside the park, just a short distance from the park entrance near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center
Cedar Pass Lodge and Cabins - Located near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, the Cedar Pass Lodge offers spectacular views of the Badlands formations, a restaurant, a gift shop, and convenience store, and much more.
History of Badlands National Park - Learn more about Badlands National Park!
Notch Trail - Badlands National Park's most popular hike with a touch of thrill!
Additional National Park Service Sites near Badlands National Park
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, and National Parks in Minnesota
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