The Sioux Empire Arts & Crafts Show features only handcrafted and handmade items by the most talented artists and crafters from across the Midwest. This is the best shopping event of this nature before the holiday season. Holiday music, food trucks and fun for the whole family keep our exhibitors
Alcove is an artisan retail experience that features local and regional artists, events, and distinctive museum items and gifts located at The Steel District in Sioux Falls. Opened by the Washington Pavilion and named for the mystery and excitement of discovery, Alcove is a dynamic and vibrant hub
At Bigfoot Campground & RV Park in Groton in northeastern South Dakota, we strive to meet the diverse needs of our guests with exceptional service and a range of amenities. Whether you're seeking a short-term camping experience, long-term RV storage, or a comfortable mobile home or trailer park
The Twin Rivers Old Iron Harvest & Kuchen Festival is an annual show that highlights the history of agriculture as well as the history of the machines that were used in years gone by. It also celebrates South Dakota's official state dessert: Kuchen. There will be parades on Saturday and Sunday, an
Newton Hills State Park near Canton hosts its annual Fall Festival. From 1-5 p.m., there will be a craft fair with multiple craft and food vendors. Additionally, park staff will have make-and-take crafts available for children as well as trebuchets throwing pumpkins. From 7-9 p.m. there will be a
Join in a fall tradition at the Beaver Creek Nature Area southeast of Brandon for the annual Homesteader Day Celebration on Sunday, September 7, 1-4 p.m. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the pioneer life from more than 100 years ago. The historical Samuelson cabin will be open for visitors to see and
Come visit our shop just 10 minutes west of Custer. All Black Hills Candle & Tallow candles and buffalo tallow products are handmade by us, here on site. The buffalo tallow used in our bath and beauty collections is sourced exclusively from Wild Idea Buffalo, another business local to the region. We
At RGT Lodging, we’re passionate pioneers in the world of short-term rentals, crafting new and luxurious accommodations perfectly suited to the modern traveler. Our fully furnished lodgings, located south of Rapid City in Rockerville and tucked amidst the majestic Black Hills of South Dakota, are a
Experience Mother Nature’s beauty and power in Badlands National Park. As you hike through expansive canyons and rugged backcountry trails in one of the world’s richest fossil beds, you’ll sense the awe-inspiring ancient world that once existed there. Whether you drive, bike, hike or camp, exploring this otherworldly national park will stick with you long after your trip — in all the best ways.
Get park maps, directions, wildlife information and answers to all your questions at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. While you’re there, don’t miss the museum exhibits, which showcase everything from ancient creatures that lived in the area millions of years ago to more recent histories of Lakota tribes. Explore the Fossil Preparation Lab and peruse the Badlands Natural History Association bookstore. The visitor center is open May through September from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and October through April from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, and hours may be abbreviated on other federal holidays.
Explore Things to Do in Badlands National Park
There are standard weekly and monthly entrance fees at Badlands National Park. Purchase seven-day passes online or annual passes in person at any entrance station.
Private Vehicle: $30
Motorcycle: $25
Pedestrian/Hiker/Cyclist: $15
The annual entrance fee is $55 and admits a single, private, non-commercial vehicle and occupants into the park. It is valid for one year from the month of purchase and does not include camping.
The best time of year to visit Badlands National Park is mid-April through May or September through early October. The fall season offers incredible weather, so you can comfortably take advantage of all the outdoor recreation activities. Winter in Badlands National Park offers a stark beauty and a feeling of practically having the place to yourself. And there’s nothing quite like a Badlands sunrise. Trust us.
Weather in the Badlands can be extreme, with summer temperatures reaching well above 100 degrees and winter temperatures as low as -40 degrees. If you visit the park during summer, plan your hikes and other activities in the early morning or later in the evening to avoid the high temperatures. For winter visitors, be prepared for 12 to 24 inches of snowfall and subzero temperatures.
Be aware that extreme weather events like violent thunderstorms, hailstorms and tornadoes are possible in the area. As you plan your trip, check the National Weather Service and local weather forecast to ensure you’ve packed the right gear and stay safe.
After a long day of exploring, find a comfortable place to recharge. There are many lodging options near Badlands National Park, from motels and RV parks to lodges and vacation rentals. There are two established campgrounds in the park and plenty to choose from in the nearby towns of Interior and Wall.
Badlands National Park has hundreds of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and insects. Resilient creatures like bison, prairie dogs, black-footed ferrets, bighorn sheep, rattlesnakes and golden eagles make up this ecosystem, withstanding the extreme heat and extreme cold season after season.
The mixed-grass prairie environment supports wildlife by providing food and shelter, and this relationship goes both ways. Prairie dogs are essential to the land, as their digging churns up soil and encourages new plant growth. Bison help grasslands grow by grazing and creating bison wallows, which are large depressions in the ground created by bison lying down and rolling around. The wallows collect rainwater and provide an environment for water-dependent plants to grow.
As a guest of Badlands National Park, appreciate and observe nature and wildlife from a distance. Never try to approach, feed or touch a wild animal. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you found them. Safe and sustainable travel helps preserve these crucial natural habitats so the Badlands’ wildlife and plants can thrive.
Learn more about safe & sustainable travel in South Dakota
Pets are allowed in Badlands National Park, but 1) must be kept on a leash of no more than 6 feet at all times, and 2) are only allowed in developed areas like campgrounds or picnic areas. Pets are prohibited from hiking trails, public buildings and backcountry areas, including the Badlands Wilderness Area and any area with prairie dog colonies. If you bring your four-legged friend, always clean up after them and properly dispose of waste.
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
Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is 55 miles away (about a one-hour drive) from Badlands National Park. Allegiant, American, Delta, United and Boutique Air all fly in and out of RAP.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial: 1-hour and 22-minute drive
Custer State Park: 1-hour and 9-minute drive
Crazy Horse Memorial®: 1-hour and 40-minute drive
Wind Cave National Park: 1-hour and 13-minute drive
Jewel Cave National Monument: 1-hour and 51-minute drive
Historic Deadwood: 1-hour and 30-minute drive
Missouri River: 1-hour and 51-minute drive
Once the site of an ancient ocean, Badlands National Park is one of the world’s richest fossil beds and a haven for wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Dive in to discover why these so-called "bad lands" inspire wonder in everyone who visits.
Experience Mother Nature’s beauty and power in Badlands National Park. As you hike through expansive...
