The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today.
No reviewed guidance for this selection. Check the park's official planning pages; missing coverage does not establish access.
Selected guidance only; separate from climate comfort and current conditions.
The conditions feed has not been connected for this park.
Check current conditions at NPS ↗Allow 1–3 days for a first look. A useful base: Interior / Wall.
Heat, thunderstorms, and exposed terrain require flexible walking plans.
Follow the main scenic road with time at overlooks and the visitor center. Add short established walks rather than rushing every stop.
Explore activities & planning detailsExplore the western part of the park and choose another official trail. Watch wildlife from a distance and check unpaved-road conditions.
Explore activities & planning detailsEditorial recommendations, reviewed 2026-10-17. Full park days, excluding travel to and from the region. A first-visit outline for a general traveler; adapt to mobility, fitness, season, reservations, and current conditions. These are suggested days, not reserved activities or guaranteed routes.
Explore the day-by-day plan above and the planning guides below.
Open an activity to read its details here. Source links open in a new tab; check current conditions and permit requirements before travel.
Official NPS features and USGS park boundaries, imported 2026-10-17. An inventory snapshot, not live trail or parking availability.
Map coverage varies. Trail names may represent segments, connectors, or shared park units; mapped lines are not a hiking recommendation. Use official conditions and navigation resources before heading out.
8 matching named trail records
| Trail / mapped route | Surface | Recorded uses |
|---|---|---|
| Castle Trail Inventory record · 2 source segments; not a route distance. | Unknown | Unknown |
| Cliff Shelf Nature Trail Inventory record · 2 source segments; not a route distance. | Unknown | Unknown |
| Door Trail Inventory record · 2 source segments; not a route distance. | Wood | Unknown |
| Fossil Exhibit Trail Inventory record · 1 source segments; not a route distance. | Wood | Unknown |
| Medicine Root Trail Inventory record · 1 source segments; not a route distance. | Unknown | Unknown |
| Notch Trail Inventory record · 1 source segments; not a route distance. | Earth | Unknown |
| Saddle Pass Trail Inventory record · 1 source segments; not a route distance. | Unknown | Unknown |
| Window Trail Inventory record · 2 source segments; not a route distance. | Unknown | Unknown |
NPS public GIS inventory, imported 2026-10-17. “Existing” is an inventory classification, not confirmation that a trail is open. Segment counts are not route distances. Parking records do not indicate space availability, fees, or accessibility certification. View government source ↗
Climate for Rapid City, 69 km from the park reference point. 1991–2020 normals. Source elevation: 988 m.
Mountain, rim, valley, and coastal conditions can differ sharply from the source town. Check park forecasts and current conditions before travel.
| Month | High | Low | Rain / snow water | Wet days | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36° | 17° | 13 mm | 3.9 | 9.1 h | |
| 38° | 18° | 19 mm | 5.0 | 10.2 h | |
| 46° | 25° | 40 mm | 7.6 | 11.6 h | |
| 54° | 32° | 80 mm | 11.8 | 13.2 h | |
| 64° | 42° | 112 mm | 14.1 | 14.5 h | |
| 74° | 52° | 97 mm | 14.5 | 15.2 h | |
| 82° | 58° | 78 mm | 13.4 | 15.0 h | |
| 81° | 56° | 60 mm | 10.9 | 13.8 h | |
| 72° | 47° | 42 mm | 6.7 | 12.3 h | |
| 58° | 36° | 50 mm | 7.3 | 10.8 h | |
| 46° | 25° | 20 mm | 4.4 | 9.4 h | |
| 37° | 18° | 15 mm | 3.6 | 8.8 h |
Official NPS excerpts imported 2026-10-17. Fees, permits, road access, and operations can change; use the source link to confirm the latest information.
Internet & Cellular Access Details
NPS Photo / Alex Ennes
Exploring the Badlands is more fun with friends and family. If you're bringing children with you, there is plenty of fun waiting for them in the park. Check out things to do with kids before you come to plan for your family visit. Many of these activities can be done before coming to the park as a sneak-preview or after as a fun way to review what you saw and learned. Bringing a four-legged friend? Pets are permitted in Badlands National Park with some restrictions. Pets must be kept on a leash no more than six feet in length at all times. Pets are only permitted in developed areas, such as campgrounds and picnic areas, and other areas open to motor vehicles, such as gravel and paved roadways, roadway corridors, and parking lots. Pets are prohibited from hiking trails, public buildings (i.e. visitor centers), and backcountry areas, including the Badlands Wilderness Area, and areas with prairie dog colonies. Pet etiquette dictates always cleaning up animal waste and disposing of it in trash receptacles. Although pets are prohibited on trails, there are still opportunities to explore great views with them on Badlands backroads .
Badlands weather is variable and unpredictable. Extremes range from 116° F to -40° F, with hot and dry summers. Checking the weather page can give you an overall idea of what the weather may look like on your visit, but checking in on the local weather forecast as your trip approaches is a great way to be prepared. According to the weather, pack appropriately -- depending on the forecast, you could need items like sunscreen, hats, rain jackets, waterproof boots, warm winter jackets, or snowpants!
Get online to stay informated before, during, and after your visit! Current conditions and alerts are posted as banners on the park website and can keep you updated on current closures, restrictions, or emergencies in the park. You can also use social media to get the latest information on park conditions -- and have a little fun while you're at it! Follow us @BadlandsNPS on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .
The official page did not return a usable snapshot. Use the source link or the park website to find the current guide.
NPS Photo / Larry McAfee
The Ben Reifel Visitor Center and White River Visitor Center are both accessible to wheelchair users and provide ramped entrances, reserved parking, and accessible restrooms. A tactile experience is located in the exhibit area of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, where visitors can touch and hold a selection of fossils and rocks. The introductory park film is open captioned for those with hearing impairments; listening devices are also available to assist with hearing the park film.
The Cedar Pass Campground has two campsites that are fully accessible by wheelchair and one accessible site in the group loop. These sites are designated for wheelchair users, but are available on a first-come first-served basis. They may not be available if the campground is full. The campground has many level sites, which can be navigated by wheelchair users. Restrooms and the automated fee machine are accessible. The Sage Creek Campground offers a rustic camping experience with no water available onsite. The area has accessible vault toilets, although the terrain in and around the campground can be rough.
NPS Photo / Brad Barker
Most scenic overlooks and wayside exhibits are accessible to wheelchair users, many of which have recycled lumber or wooden boardwalks with gentle grades. The Fossil Exhibit and Window Trails are accessible boardwalks. The first section of the Door and Cliff Shelf Trails are also accessible to wheelchair users.
The Bigfoot Pass Picnic Area has reserved parking, ramps, and an accessible vault toilet. The Conata Picnic Area has an accessible vault toilet but the surrounding terrain is rough.
Programs held at the Cedar Pass Campground amphitheater are accessible by a paved and well-lit path from reserved parking spaces in the parking lot. Evening presentations can be enjoyed from this location. Talks held at the Fossil Exhibit Trail, other overlooks, or the Ben Reifel Visitor Center are accessible to wheelchair users. However, ranger-led hikes or walks are generally not accessible due to the rugged badlands terrain.
Reserved parking, ramps, wide doors, restrooms, and wide aisles make the Cedar Pass Lodge gift shop and dining room fully accessible. For additional information, contact the Cedar Pass Lodge directly by calling (605)-433-5460.
Get an entrance pass All visitors must have one of these entrance passes: Pass Price Standard Pass $15.00–$30.00 Annual Pass $55.00 America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes) FREE–$250.00 Help me choose an entrance pass
Plan to go cashless This park does not accept cash.
If you already have an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, that's the only entrance pass you need. Seniors, military, visitors with a permanent disability, and families with a 4th grader are eligible for a free or discounted America the Beautiful pass.
America the Beautiful Pass
If you don't qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful pass, we recommend choosing an entrance pass based on your trip plans.
If you enter the park in a motorized vehicle, your entrance pass covers both you and your passengers. Your passengers do not need a separate pass.
Costs for vehicles with more than 15 passengers are listed below under Organizations and Businesses .
Northeast Entrance Station Credit/Debit Only
Pinnacles Entrance Station Credit/Debit Only
Interior Entrance Station Credit/Debit Only
If you enter the park on a bicycle or on foot and are at least 16 years old, you need your own entrance pass. Children under the age of 16 don't need an entrance pass.
This pass admits a single, private, non commercial vehicle and its occupants into the park. This pass does not include camping or give any type of discount at stores inside the park. Valid for one year from month of purchase.
US citizens and residents
Covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by
National Park Service
US Fish & Wildlife Service
US Forest Service
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
US Army of Corps of Engineers
Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers One private vehicle fee or Four per person fees
America the Beautiful Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen . Passholders must show valid photo identification (ID) with each pass.
Physical passes can be purchased or picked up at over 1,000 federal recreation sites.
Purchase and pickup locations
To receive your pass by mail, order online at the USGS Online Store . Online orders are for physical passes, not digital passes, and may take up to three weeks to be processed and delivered. Order receipts may not be used in place of a physical pass. We recommend ordering at least three weeks in advance of your visit, or picking up a pass in person instead.
Skip the wait! Get a Digital America the Beautiful Pass through recreation.gov. Your digital pass can be saved to a mobile device and used immediately.
Get a Digital America the Beautiful Pass
Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to US citizens and residents (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:
February 16 : Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday)
May 25 : Memorial Day
June 14: Flag Day/President Trump's birthday
July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
September 17: Constitution Day
October 27 : Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
November 11: Veterans Day
NPS Form 10-1750 (Rev. 04/2021) National Park Service
OMB Control No. 1024-0228 Expiration Date 11/30/2025
Does anyone in your group need any accommodations? Yes No If yes, describe the accommodation need. Next Step
School / Organization Name (required) Name of Requester/Contact Person (required) Title / Position (required) Contact Email Address (required) Contact Phone Number (required) 123-456-7890 extension if any Contact Mailing Address Country I have a US mailing address I have a mailing address outside the US International Mailing Address (required) Please include building number and street, city, state/province country and Postal Code Mailing Address (required) City (required) State (required) Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas Armed Forces - Americas Armed Forces - Europe Armed Forces - Pacific California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming ZIP (required) Five digit ZIP code [99999] Next Step
A park representative will follow-up to confirm group details once this request has been received and reviewed.
Visitors 16 years of age or older (including students, chaperones, and teachers) must pay an entrance fee at this site. Academic institutions (including schools) may apply for an academic fee waiver to cover the cost of these visitors. The number of teachers/chaperones that are covered with a waiver varies depending on the size of the group.
Would you like to request an academic fee waiver for your group?
Academic fee waivers are not granted automatically. Applicant groups must show they qualify for the waiver. There are three criteria the group must meet to qualify for an academic fee waiver: eligibility, relevance of park resources or facilities to academic program, and academic purpose. Details of these qualifications are listed below. If your institution and purpose meet these criteria, submit this form.
Describe and/or attach current official recognition or accreditation as an educational institution by a federal, state, or local government or other documentation attesting to educational status, such as an accreditation letter, educational tax-exempt letter.
Attach Supporting Document for Eligibility (if needed). Acceptable document types: are Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word, and Google Doc
Verify how this visit supports a specific curriculum for which academic credit is offered. For example, attach a course syllabus/description, course catalog, lesson plan, letter detailing the educational purpose, etc., and/or describe.
Attach Supporting Document for Educational Purpose (if needed). Acceptable document types: are Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word and Google Doc
Identify the pertinent park resources and/or facilities and detail how they are relevant to support the educational purpose of the visit (attach letter or describe).
Attach Supporting Document for Relevance (if needed). Acceptable document types: are Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word and Google Doc
The Recreation Fee Authority (16 USC 6802 Sections 3 a and b) allows for fee waivers only for bona fide educational and/or scientific institutions that are using the park for educational purposes. I hereby certify that the above detailed trip meets these requirements and therefore request that fees be waived.
Current official documentation of recognition of affiliation as an educational institution by a Federal, State or local government entity, or other evidence attesting to educational status is attached (e.g. accreditation letter, educational tax-exempt letter). It is insufficient to merely state or imply this on official letterhead.
OMB Control No. 1024-0228 Expiration Date 11/31/2025
Authority: Public Law 114-289 National Park Service Centennial Act and 54 U.S.C. 100701 Protection, interpretation, and research in System.
Purpose: To administer education programs for education audiences including but not limited to school groups, scouting groups, extracurricular groups, and home school groups.
Routine Uses: To effectively manage requests for education received by the NPS, the Education Reservation Request Form is used to collect basic education reservation information to facilitate operational aspects of scheduling groups for park education programs, including in-park education programs, ranger in classroom programs, and/or online distance learning programs.
Disclosure: Voluntary, however, failure to provide the requested information may impede the ability to grant your education reservation request.
We are collecting this information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501) to provide park managers and educators the information needed to schedule and conduct education program activities. All applicable parts of the form must be completed in order for your request to be considered. You are not required to respond to this or any other Federal agency-sponsored information collection unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. OMB has approved this collection of information and assigned control number 1024-0288.
Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to average 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525. Do not send your completed form to this address.
| Pass | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Pass | $15.00–$30.00 | |
| Annual Pass | $55.00 | |
| America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes) | FREE–$250.00 | |
| I'm visiting... | We recommend | |
| This park, once | Standard Pass | |
| This park, multiple times | Annual Pass | |
| More than one national park or federal recreation site | America the Beautiful Pass | |
| Type | Available to | Price |
| Resident Annual Pass | US citizens and residents | $80.00 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass | Non-US residents | $250.00 |
| Senior Annual Pass | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20.00 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80.00 |
| Military Annual Pass | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
| Pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard Pass | $15.00–$30.00 |
| Annual Pass | $55.00 |
| America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes) | FREE–$250.00 |
| I'm visiting... | We recommend |
|---|---|
| This park, once | Standard Pass |
| This park, multiple times | Annual Pass |
| More than one national park or federal recreation site | America the Beautiful Pass |
| Type | Available to | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass | US citizens and residents | $80.00 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass | Non-US residents | $250.00 |
| Senior Annual Pass | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20.00 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80.00 |
| Military Annual Pass | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
NPS Photo / Alex Ennes
Badlands National Park is located 75 miles east of Rapid City, South Dakota. Physical Addresses for GPS* Park Headquarters: 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior, SD 57750. Northeast Entrance (I-90, Exit 131): 21020 SD Hwy 240, Interior, SD 57750. Pinnacles Entrance (I-90, Exit 110): 24240 Hwy 240, Wall, SD 57790. Interior Entrance: 20640 SD Hwy 377, Interior, SD 57750.
Reviewing maps of the park before heading can be helpful. Interstate 90 (I-90) is located directly north of the park and provides access to the Hwy 240 Badlands Loop Road. For those traveling west on I-90, take Exit 131 (Interior) and follow the signs directing vehicles south approximately three miles to the Northeast Entrance. For those traveling east on I-90, take Exit 110 at Wall, South Dakota. Follow signs directing vehicles south approximately seven miles to the Pinnacles Entrance. State Highway 44 provides an alternate, scenic access to the park and intersects Highway 377 in the town of Interior. Follow 377 two miles north to the Interior Entrance.
Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240), accessed from Interstate 90, is a two-lane, paved surface that takes you through the North Unit of the park.
Sage Creek Rim Road (Highway 590) is a gravel road that takes you along the north rim of the Badlands Wilderness Area. Road may be temporarily closed after heavy rain or snow.
Sheep Mountain Table Road is four miles south of Scenic, SD on Pennington County Road 589.
NPS Photo / Alex Ennes
Summer in the badlands is hot and dry with temperatures often exceeding 100° Fahrenheit. Know the signs of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and sunstroke and prevent their occurrence by drinking 1 gallon of water per day, wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, and covering up with long sleeves, pants, and a wide-brimmed hat.
Badlands is known for its temperature and weather extremes in all seasons. Weather conditions may change abruptly. Before exploring, check the local weather forecast at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center and dress in layers. Keep in mind that lightning can strike well in advance of a storm. Seek shelter and avoid trees, high places, and dry washes that fill quickly with water. Primarily composed of clay, badlands buttes are very slippery when wet.
While open-toed footwear is comfortable, closed-toed shoes or boots are essential for hiking and exploring the badlands environment. Closed-toed shoes prevent injuries from cactus spines, found throughout the park, or an accidental step on a prairie rattlesnake. The most common park injuries result from falls, mostly due to inappropriate footwear. Badlands terrain is unstable, making it easy to lose footing and fracture an ankle. Watch for cracks and holes in the ground.
Cell phones will not work in most areas of the park, so do not rely on them if you become lost or disoriented. Use good judgment and be prepared by knowing how to use topographic maps, compasses, and GPS units -- especially while exploring the park's remote backcountry.
The official page did not return a usable snapshot. Use the source link or the park website to find the current guide.
Download NPS brochure maps for this park and others!
Download the free NPS app for access to maps of every national park—that work both online and off!
The official page did not return a usable snapshot. Use the source link or the park website to find the current guide.
Loading weather forecast...
Humidity Wind Speed Barometer Dewpoint Visibility Wind Chill
Weather in Badlands National Park is variable and unpredictable with temperature extremes ranging from 116° F to -40° F. Summers are hot and dry with occasional violent thunderstorms. Hailstorms and occasional tornadoes can descend on the Badlands.. Winters are typically cold with 12 to 24 inches of total snowfall.
The park gets about 16 inches of precipitation annually, most of which falls during the warmer months. June is the wettest month, while December and January are the driest.
Sudden and dramatic weather changes are common. Visitors are urged to dress in layers and be prepared with hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and adequate water for hiking. If rain is in the forecast, rain jackets and waterproof or water-resistant boots are strongly recommended. Checking the local weather forecast before heading out on a drive or hike is always a good idea.
No structured outing assessments have been reviewed for this park yet. Check the official accessibility guide for your requirements.
Compare accessibility details →
CavesSouth Dakota
Wind Cave National Park protects two very different worlds - one deep within the earth, the other a sunlit world of many resources. Bison, elk, and other wildlife roam the rolling prairie grasslands and forested hillsides of one of America's oldest national parks. Below the remnant island of intact prairie sits Wind Cave, one of the longest and most complex caves in the world.
MountainsNorth Dakota
When Theodore Roosevelt came to Dakota Territory to hunt bison in 1883, he was a skinny, young, spectacled dude from New York. He could not have imagined how his adventure in this remote and unfamiliar place would forever alter the course of the nation. The rugged landscape and strenuous life that TR experienced here would help shape a conservation policy that we still benefit from today.
Lakes & riversMinnesota
Voyageurs National Park spans 218,000 acres of lakes, forests, and streams in northern Minnesota. Established in 1975, the park is named after the French-Canadian Voyageurs who once navigated these abundant waters. Voyageurs National Park provides exceptional opportunities for recreation and exploration amidst landscapes rich in natural beauty, history, and cultural heritage.