Badlands National Park
A loop road through striped buttes and open grassland, with bison and prairie dogs often visible from the road, makes Badlands National Park a worthwhile half-day drive in western South Dakota.
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Badlands National Park protects eroded buttes, pinnacles and grassland in southwestern South Dakota, about an hour east of Rapid City. Its rock is banded in tan, pink and gray, a sharp contrast with the flat prairie around it. The paved Badlands Loop Road runs through the park with pullouts and overlooks along the way.
The park is also known for its fossil beds, where erosion has exposed remains of ancient mammals from the Eocene and Oligocene epochs. Bison and prairie dogs graze the grassland and are often visible from the road. Plan a half day for the loop, or a full day with a few short hikes. Late spring and early fall bring mild days. Summer is hot with strong sun and little shade, and winter can bring snow and icy roads. Sunrise and sunset light the rock layers most strongly.
Badlands National Park in five
- Rent a car in Rapid CityThe park has no public transit, so a car is the practical way to reach the loop road. Rapid City (RAP) is about an hour from Wall, the gateway town on the north side of the park.Getting around
- Fill up before the loopServices inside the park are limited. Buy fuel and food in Wall or Interior before you enter.
- Download offline mapsPhone signal is patchy inside the park, so save maps and your route before you leave town.Phones and eSIM
- Keep 25 yards from bisonBison often graze beside the road and can walk into traffic. Give them 25 yards and wait for them to clear the road.
- Carry water on every trailTrails have little shade and no drinking water. Bring all you will drink, and turn back in midday heat.
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for visa-waiver countries; most other passports need a US visa Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- 15 to 20% in restaurants; not expected at the park
- Time
- UTC-7 Mountain Time; UTC-6 with daylight saving in summer
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, snow possible
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchThaw, changeable
- AprilWind, storms
- MaySpring calves
- JuneThunderstorms
- JulyHot, busy
- AugustHot, busy
- SeptemberCooler, quieter
- OctoberAutumn, cool
- NovemberCold, quiet
- DecemberCold, snow
Right now in Badlands National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
10
- Feels like
- 4°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 57 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 64%
Badlands National Park
02:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today13°5°64%Monday: Rain. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 64%.
- Tue6°3°26%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 26%.
- Wed13°4°8%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Thu14°5°4%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Fri14°5°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat13°4°5%Saturday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sun14°2°1%Sunday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 1%.
Updated 01:56 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Badlands National Park
Plan around Badlands National Park
Rapid City, the Black Hills and the Badlands route
Read the guideAll of USAEntry rules, money and visa basics
Read the guideGetting around the USARental cars and the drive from Rapid City
Read the guideWhere to stayGateway towns and campgrounds near the park
Read the guidePhones and eSIMCoverage gaps and offline maps for the park
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical cover far from hospitals
Read the guideBadlands National Park FAQ
Do I need a reservation to enter Badlands National Park?
No. There is no timed entry. Pay the entrance fee at the gate or online, and check the NPS fees page for current rates.
How many days do I need in Badlands?
One full day covers the Badlands Loop Road, the main overlooks and a short hike. Two days lets you add sunrise or sunset and a longer trail.
When is the best time to visit Badlands?
Late spring and early fall. Summer is hot with strong sun and little shade, and winter roads can be icy.
Can I visit Badlands in one day from Rapid City?
Yes. The park is roughly an hour from Rapid City, so a day trip works, but it leaves little time for the trails.
Are there fossils in Badlands National Park?
Yes, the rock layers hold many fossils. You can see them in the park, but you must leave them in place.