Badlands National Park - Plan Your Visit

Badlands National Park by US-Parks

Operating Hours Seasons

The park is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Entrance fees are collected year round.

Local Partners Information Resources

Badlands Bombing Range

Oglala Sioux Tribe

South Dakota Tourism

Wall Chamber of Commerce

Black Hills and Badlands

Getting There

Plane

Daily flights are available to the Rapid City Regional Airport and car rental services are available onsite. The airport is located approximately one hour west of the park, off of Highway 44.

Car

Interstate 90 (I-90) is located directly north of the park and provides access to the 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 gate. 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 of the park. .

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 gate.

Bus

Greyhound Lines, Inc. has limited bus service to Rapid City. Car rental companies are available in Rapid City with delivery and pickup services.

Some bus tours are available through tour companies in Rapid City and the surrounding area.

Public Transportation

No public transportation is available to the park.

Getting Around

A typical visit lasts three to five hours and includes the park movie (not available Summer 2005), stops at four overlooks, and two walks. The 30-mile Loop Drive is accessed from Interstate 90 and is a two-lane, paved surface. The 30-mile Sage Creek Rim Road is gravel and impassable after heavy rains or snows. Five trails, varying from one-fourth mile to eight miles in length, explore park features. The remainder of the park is open to exploration using a topographic map and a compass.