Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Badlands National Park, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- South Dakota, USA
- Country
- United States
- Biome
- Mixed-grass prairie + eroded badlands
- Best season
- April – October
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
Key takeaways
- Biome: Mixed-grass prairie + eroded badlands
- Best season: April – October
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: hiking
Topic summary
Eroded buttes and spires above mixed-grass prairie — fossil beds, bison, bighorn sheep, and big Dakota sky.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: April – October
Intended uses
- hiking
- camping
- backpacking
Climate suitability
Mixed-grass prairie + eroded badlands
Verification notes
Last verified January 1, 1970.
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Badlands National Park trip tools
How to get there
Badlands National Park is in southwestern South Dakota. Named entrance stations are Northeast, Pinnacles, and Interior; use current National Park Service directions to plan your approach.
- Northeast Entrance Station
One of the park’s three entrance stations where entrance passes can be purchased in person. Payment is by credit or debit card only.
- Pinnacles Entrance Station
An entrance and in-person pass purchase point. Bring a credit or debit card; cash is not accepted.
- Interior Entrance Station
An entrance station offering in-person pass purchases, with credit or debit payment only.
Sources: nps.gov · Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Badlands National Park
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
Animals around Badlands National Park
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Badlands National ParkAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Badlands National Park
Planning to fish Badlands National Park, South Dakota? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in South Dakota are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at Badlands National Park?
- A South Dakota fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current South Dakota fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
- Badlands National Park may add its own fishing rules on top of South Dakota law — check the managing agency too.
Hunting near Badlands National Park
Thinking about hunting Badlands National Park, South Dakota? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in South Dakota are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Badlands National Park?
- Hunting is prohibited or heavily restricted in many national parks, wilderness and protected areas — confirm with the Badlands National Park land manager before planning a hunt, and look to surrounding public land.
What do I need to hunt in South Dakota?
- A South Dakota hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
Eroded rock and mixed-grass prairie
Badlands National Park protects 242,756 acres in southwestern South Dakota, where sharply eroded buttes and pinnacles stand alongside the largest undisturbed mixed-grass prairie in the United States. The contrast is central to a visit: allow time for the grassland as well as the rock formations, rather than treating the prairie as scenery between stops. Within the White River drainage, the North Unit contains the 64,144-acre Badlands Wilderness. This protected area is also a reintroduction site for the endangered black-footed ferret, though that is not a promise of a sighting. Keep wildlife viewing unobtrusive and give animals room. For walking, carry water, sun protection, and layers suited to the forecast; the open prairie and eroded terrain call for preparation rather than assumptions about shelter.
The South Unit and Lakota history
The South Unit, also called the Stronghold District, is co-managed by the National Park Service and the Oglala Lakota tribe. Its landscape includes Red Shirt Table, the park’s highest point at 3,340 feet, and sites associated with the Ghost Dances of the 1890s. Stronghold Table is revered as a ceremonial sacred site. This is not simply another area for landscape photography: approach a visit with respect for its continuing cultural significance, and ask managers about appropriate access before setting out. The district also includes a former United States Air Force bomb and gunnery range. Do not treat a named feature as an established hiking route or assume that access arrangements elsewhere in the park apply here. Plan South Unit travel separately with the co-managers.
Entrance planning and walking choices
Badlands charges an entrance fee and does not accept cash. A private-vehicle pass costs $30 and covers the vehicle and its occupants for seven days. Visitors arriving on foot or by bicycle who are at least 16 need an individual pass, priced at $15 for seven days; children under 16 do not need one. Private entrance passes can be purchased through Recreation.gov or at the Northeast, Pinnacles, and Interior entrance stations. An accepted America the Beautiful pass also covers entrance. Keep entrance payment separate from decisions about where to walk: it does not establish trail availability. A park alert identifies a Notch Trail closure for repairs, so confirm its status before building an outing around it. For wilderness travel, ask the National Park Service about current access and any applicable requirements.
Route options
- Notch Trail
A named walking option subject to a park alert for closure for repairs. Confirm current status with the National Park Service before planning to use it.
- Badlands Wilderness
A wilderness outing area in the North Unit within the White River drainage, not a defined trail itinerary. Consult park staff about access, route selection, and applicable requirements before setting out.
Sample itineraries
- Badlands introduction · 1 day
Start at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, then focus on the North Unit’s eroded buttes, pinnacles and mixed-grass prairie. Ask about current conditions before choosing walks. Keep the day flexible rather than committing to a route through unfamiliar terrain.
- North Unit and wilderness orientation · 2 days
Spend the first day getting oriented at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center and exploring the North Unit. Use the second for a closer look at the prairie and Badlands Wilderness, choosing an outing that matches current conditions and navigation skills. Confirm access and any overnight requirements before planning a wilderness stay.
- Landscape and Lakota history · 3 days
Devote two days to the North Unit’s prairie and eroded landscape. For the third, ask park staff about appropriate access to the South Unit, also called the Stronghold District. Learn about its Ghost Dance history and Oglala Lakota connections; treat ceremonial places with respect.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring
Check the forecast and ground conditions before walking among the eroded formations. Pack adaptable layers and choose outings according to conditions rather than assuming the terrain will be dry.
Summer
Summer
Plan for exposure on the mixed-grass prairie. Carry drinking water and sun protection, and adjust outdoor time to the forecast rather than relying on shelter in the landscape.
Fall
Fall
Check current weather and available daylight before setting out. Carry layers and leave enough time to return from unfamiliar prairie and eroded terrain.
Winter
Winter
Check weather and access conditions before traveling. Match clothing and outing length to the forecast, and keep plans flexible if conditions make walking or navigation difficult.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring | Check the forecast and ground conditions before walking among the eroded formations. Pack adaptable layers and choose outings according to conditions rather than assuming the terrain will be dry. |
| Summer | Summer | Plan for exposure on the mixed-grass prairie. Carry drinking water and sun protection, and adjust outdoor time to the forecast rather than relying on shelter in the landscape. |
| Fall | Fall | Check current weather and available daylight before setting out. Carry layers and leave enough time to return from unfamiliar prairie and eroded terrain. |
| Winter | Winter | Check weather and access conditions before traveling. Match clothing and outing length to the forecast, and keep plans flexible if conditions make walking or navigation difficult. |
Permits, fees & closures
An entrance pass is required unless an accepted pass already covers entry. Confirm activity-specific permit requirements with the National Park Service before planning wilderness or South Unit outings.
Fees: Seven-day entry: private vehicle and occupants, $30; motorcycle pass, $25, covering up to two private motorcycles and four passengers; individual arriving on foot or bicycle, age 16 or older, $15. The park annual pass is $55 and excludes camping. Payment is credit/debit only.
Reservations: Private entrance passes can be purchased on Recreation.gov or at the Northeast, Pinnacles or Interior entrance stations. Recreation.gov site passes are non-refundable and non-transferable. Confirm any separate lodging or camping reservation requirements with the managing agency.
Official source: Fees & Passes - Badlands National Park (U.S. National Park Service) · Verified October 18, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Sharply eroded buttes and pinnacles call for careful footing and conservative route choices. Avoid terrain beyond your ability to descend safely.
- Open prairie requires planning for weather exposure. Carry water and suitable layers, and turn back if conditions exceed your preparation.
- The South Unit includes a former bomb and gunnery range. Ask park staff about safe access before exploring unfamiliar ground.
- Check Notch Trail status before including it in a walking plan; a repair-closure alert has been posted.
What to pack for Badlands National Park
- Drinking water
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Weather-appropriate layers
- Wind and rain protection
- Footwear with dependable traction
- Map and navigation tools
- First-aid kit
- Headlamp
- Credit or debit card
- Accepted entrance pass, if held
- Binoculars for distant wildlife viewing
Wildlife you may see
- Black-footed ferrets were reintroduced in the Badlands Wilderness. This endangered mammal’s presence does not guarantee a sighting; observe any wildlife without approaching or disturbing it.
Badlands National Park FAQ
- What landscape does Badlands National Park protect?
- The park protects sharply eroded buttes and pinnacles alongside the largest undisturbed mixed-grass prairie in the United States. It lies in southwestern South Dakota within the White River drainage.
- Where can an entrance pass be purchased?
- Private entrance passes are sold on Recreation.gov and at the Northeast, Pinnacles and Interior entrance stations. The park does not accept cash. A private-vehicle pass covers the vehicle and its occupants.
- Does an America the Beautiful pass cover entry?
- An accepted America the Beautiful pass covers entrance, so a separate seven-day park entrance pass is unnecessary. The park annual pass does not include camping.
- What is the Badlands Wilderness?
- It is a designated wilderness area protecting 64,144 acres of the North Unit. It is also a black-footed ferret reintroduction site. Ask park staff about suitable access and current conditions before planning an outing.
- Why does the South Unit require thoughtful planning?
- The South Unit is co-managed with the Oglala Lakota tribe. It includes Ghost Dance sites, a former military range and Red Shirt Table. Stronghold Table has sacred ceremonial significance. Confirm appropriate access and respect cultural places rather than treating them simply as sightseeing stops.
- Can Notch Trail be included in a visit?
- Check its current status first. A repair-closure alert has been posted, so do not build an itinerary around the trail without confirming access with the park.