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 is a great way to enjoy overnight stays right in the park. One thing to remember is South Dakota is known for warm days and cool nights. Be prepared for the weather to change often.
Badlands National Park Camping
You have your choice of both primitive camping and tent camping within Badlands National Park.
Cedar Pass Campground is the closest location to the visitor center and has RV sites, tent camping, picnic area, and is close to a 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.
Cedar Pass Campground
Location: Cedar Pass Campground is located on the parks 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: April 1st - October 28th
Number of sites: 100 total sites: 23 electrical sites, 4 group sites, and 73 tent sites
Cost per night: Tents $22 a night, RV with electric hookups $37 a night. There is an additional person charge over 2 people.
Reservations?: Reservations can be made by calling (877)386-4383 or online.
Call (605)433-5460 to make group site reservations.
Campground amenities: There is pay showers, flush toilets, and water near the campground.
RVs allowed?: Yes, there is electrical only hookups.
See more photos and information on the Cedar Pass Campground
I would also highly recommend getting up early and watching the sunrise.
Check out my article on Things To Do Badlands National Park for more information.
There is a 14-day maximum stay limit
GPS: 43.7478N,101.9452W
Elevation: 2400'
There is very little shade available and it gets very hot. Be prepared for the sun and heat.
There are 100 campsites with a paved road through the campground. 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.
Park Ranger John Pro Tip: Charcoal Briquettes are the cause of many dumpster fires in parks. Remember that charcoal briquettes have one purpose, to burn and they are very effective at it. I have responded to several of these in my career and each time I hear the same thing, I put water on the charcoal before putting them into the dumpster.
My advice is to use a charcoal disposal station if provided and soak them in water. Come back approximately a half hour later and soak them down again. Even after soaking them down the briquettes will continue to burn from the inside and dry out the briquette and then reignite.
There is no WI-FI available.
There are pay showers available in the campground.
There is also an RV Dump Station that is $1.00
Quiet Hours are 10pm-6am
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
The park's Campground host is located at site #11 of the Agate Loop
Head over to our Cedar Pass Campground Post to see more photos from the campground!
Sage Creek Campground
The Sage Creek Campground is a primitive camping experience. and the 10-mile dirt road (Sage Creek Rim Road) is typically washboard 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.
Location: Located off of a 10-mile dirt road (Sage Creek Rim Road)
Cost per night: Free
Reservations?: No
Campground amenities: You will not find much for amenities except for a picnic table and a vault toilet. Don't expect WIFI, cell phone reception, there is no water
RVs allowed?: Yes, RV greater than 18 feet in length are prohibited
GPS: 43.8940N,102.4140W
Quiet Hours are 10pm-6am
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.
See more photos and information on the Sage Creek Campground
Cedar Pass Lodge has cabins that are another great option for staying in Badlands National Park.
Badlands Inn is located right outside of the park and is another option for places to stay in Badlands NP
Check out our epic guide to Badlands Hiking
Make sure to check out other great parks near Badlands National Park
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Mount Rushmore KOA (Additional Camping)
Check out all of these great camping games for fun things to do while camping.
Check out this great video from our friend Kimberly who camped right outside of Badlands National Park
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