Badlands National Park

About Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park is a national park located in South Dakota. The Badlands weather 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 with sudden fury. Winters are typically cold with 12 to 24 inches of total snowfall.

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.

💰 Entrance Fees & Passes

The general entrance fee for Badlands starts at $15 (which commonly covers entry for a single private vehicle and passengers for up to 7 consecutive days). The park offers several fee options: Entrance - Private Vehicle ($30), Entrance - Motorcycle ($25), Entrance - Per Person ($15), Commercial Entrance - Sedan ($25), Commercial Entrance - Van ($50), Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus ($60), Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach ($150). If you plan to visit multiple national parks this year, purchasing the America the Beautiful National Parks Annual Pass ($80) is highly cost-effective, as general entry to most parks will quickly offset the pass cost.

🥾 Things to Do

Badlands National Park offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Auto and ATV, Scenic Driving, Astronomy, Biking, and 17 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.