Badlands National Park Tours

Jagged Ridges, Fossil Beds & Endless Prairie Skies

South Dakota’s Surreal Wilderness

Est. 1978

Carved by wind and water into sharp ridges and shadowed canyons, Badlands National Park looks more like another planet than the plains of South Dakota. Striped with color and layered in time, these formations expose 75 million years of history — a fossil record of ancient seas, saber-toothed cats, and roaming rhinos that once called this region home.

Spread across more than 240,000 acres, the park contrasts rugged rock with gentle prairie. Bison graze in the distance, prairie dogs pop up from their towns, and hawks circle above the layered spires. Sunset paints the formations rose-gold, and at night, one of America’s darkest skies ignites with stars.

Badlands isn’t just geology — it’s motion and memory written in stone, a living classroom where time stands still but the land keeps changing.

Featured Experiences

Wind, water, and time have sculpted the Badlands into one of America’s most surreal landscapes — a place where every color band in the cliffs tells a story. Guided experiences help visitors read that story in motion: the glint of ancient seashells in soft rock, the distant movement of bison across open prairie, and the quiet rhythm of a ranger’s footsteps echoing through the canyons. Whether you travel by trail or road, by day or under the stars, these tours turn raw scenery into living history.

Suggested Itineraries

There’s no single way to experience the Badlands. Some visitors come for the sunrise light, others stay to feel the stillness that settles over the ridges at night. These sample itineraries give structure to your days — balancing scenic drives, short hikes, and moments that invite you simply to stop and take in the vastness around you.

1 Day Discovery

Morning: Start at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center for maps and weather info.
Midday: Drive the Loop Road, stopping at Big Badlands Overlook and Panorama Point.
Afternoon: Picnic at White River Valley Overlook, then hike the Notch Trail.
Evening: Watch the sunset from Pinnacles Overlook and stay for stargazing.

👉 Perfect for first-time visitors who want all of the highlights in a single day.

2-3 Day Adventure

Day 1: Explore the park’s northern unit via the Loop Road and short hikes.
Day 2: Venture south into the Sage Creek Wilderness for wildlife viewing and photography.
Day 3: Visit the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, then return for a ranger-led night sky program.

👉 Ideal for photographers, wildlife lovers and slow travelers seeking depth.

Let Us Plan Your Vacation

Find Experiences, Plan Your Days & Book It All With Us!

From scenic drives to guided hikes and wildlife tours, we’ll help you plan a Badlands trip that fits your schedule and style. Share your travel dates and interests — our team can coordinate local lodging, nearby attractions like the Black Hills and Wall Drug, and even custom routes that link Badlands with Mount Rushmore or Wind Cave.

What to Expect Each Season

Open Year-Round • Peak Season: May–September

Badlands National Park never looks the same way twice. Spring paints the prairie with wildflowers and summer storms roll across the horizon, while autumn gilds the grasses and winter hushes everything under snow and starlight. Whatever the season, light is the park’s true storyteller — revealing a thousand shades of red, gold and gray as the sun moves across the sky.

Spring (March–May):
Wildflowers spread across the prairie, and young wildlife fills the valleys. The weather is cool and clear — ideal for hiking.
Best for: Photographers and those seeking fresh color after winter.

Summer (June–August):
Long daylight hours and vibrant sunsets draw the biggest crowds. Early mornings and evenings are cool, perfect for scenic drives. Expect dramatic lightning storms that paint the sky.
Best for: Families, road trippers, and photographers.

Fall (September–October):
Mild temperatures and golden grasses transform the park into a quiet dreamscape. Bison graze under crisp skies, and the campgrounds quiet down.
Best for: Couples and peaceful escapes.

Winter (November–February):
A dusting of snow softens the landscape, and silence stretches for miles. You’ll have overlooks almost to yourself.
Best for: Stargazers and solitude seekers.

Pick your season — the Badlands reveal a new palette every time you return.

PLAN YOUR VACATION

Badlands National Park Tours

View All Badlands Tours & Activities

The Badlands are best discovered slowly — where every bend in the road reveals a new layer of time and every trail leads to another world of color and shadow. Guided tours help you go beyond the overlooks, uncovering the park’s hidden fossils, rare wildlife, and Lakota stories that shape this land. Whether you join a ranger walk, a photography drive, or a night sky program, each experience connects you more deeply to the rhythms of the prairie and the geology beneath your feet.

Not sure where to start?

Our team can suggest the best itineraries.

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Visitor Centers At The Park

Every story in the Badlands begins with understanding — the fossils underfoot, the people who call this landscape home, and the forces that continue to shape it. The park’s visitor centers are your doorway into that story, offering exhibits, ranger guidance, and a sense of place before you head into the wild terrain beyond.

Ben Reifel Visitor Center (Interior, SD)

The park’s main hub features exhibits on geology, fossils, and Lakota heritage, plus ranger talks and a short film. Tour tickets, maps, and trail updates are available here year-round.

White River Visitor Center

Located on the Pine Ridge Reservation, this center shares the perspective of the Oglala Lakota Nation and focuses on the cultural and spiritual connection to the Badlands.

Get a better picture of your travel plans.

VIEW PARK MAPS

Visiting On Your Own

Taking a tour not only frees you up to relax and enjoy the experience, but it also supports the local economies. However, if you’re on a budget, you can still enjoy the park — just bring a map, extra time, and an open heart.

Entrance Fee: $30 per vehicle (valid 7 days).
Permits: Free backcountry camping with registration.
Access: Enter via SD-240 (Badlands Loop Road) or SD-44 (Scenic Entrance).
Cell Service: Limited outside visitor areas — download maps beforehand.

Tip: Carry more water than you think you’ll need. The dry heat can surprise even seasoned travelers.

Park Information & Details

The Badlands are as demanding as they are beautiful. Sharp heat, strong winds, and long distances test every traveler — yet with a little preparation, those same challenges become part of the adventure. Knowing where to find food, how to pack for the weather, and when to travel safely turns an incredible landscape into a comfortable, memorable journey.

Food & Drink

Cedar Pass Lodge offers casual dining and grab-and-go meals. Wall Drug and Interior SD have restaurants, groceries, and local cafés nearby.

What to Bring

Sun hat, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, plenty of water, and a camera with spare batteries. Binoculars are great for wildlife viewing.

Safety Tips

Stay on trails — the clay surface becomes slick after rain. Watch for rattlesnakes near rock ledges. **NEVER approach bison or bighorn sheep.**

Shuttle / Transport Info

**Private vehicle required.** Gas stations are limited. The nearest airport is Rapid City Regional (60 miles west).

Accessibility For All

**Most overlooks and the Fossil Exhibit Trail are wheelchair accessible.**

Maps Of The Park & Region

A good map turns the Badlands from a maze of ridges into a story you can follow. The park’s network of scenic drives and trails connects to South Dakota’s wider wonders — from the Black Hills to the Missouri River. With limited cell service and endless horizons, a printed or downloaded map is both a guide and a keepsake of where you’ve wandered.

Regional Driving Map

Park Visitor Center Map

Overall Park Map

Larger Area Park Map

Browse guided hikes, climbing adventures, bus tours, and more.

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Park Gateway Towns

The communities surrounding the Badlands are stitched into the fabric of the prairie — friendly, unhurried, and proud of the wild country in their backyard. From small towns that serve fresh coffee at dawn, to city hubs that launch road-trip adventures, these gateways give your journey flavor, comfort, and context.

Wall, SD

Just outside the Pinnacles Entrance, the town of Wall blends frontier charm with modern amenities. Home to the famous Wall Drug Store, it offers hotels, diners, and galleries featuring local art.

Tip: Stay here for easy access to sunrise and sunset drives.

Interior, SD

Closest to the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, this small community offers motels, campgrounds, and local cafés with sweeping views of the formations.

Tip: Perfect for early-morning starts and ranger programs.

Rapid City, SD

About an hour west, Rapid City is the regional hub with an airport, major hotels, and restaurants. It’s also a great base for pairing Badlands with Mount Rushmore or the Black Hills.

Tip: **Ideal for longer stays or families wanting variety.**

What Visitors Say About The Park

Sunrise over the spires was unlike anything I’ve seen — the colors changed by the minute.

Visitor from Colorado

We saw bison, prairie dogs, and even a bighorn sheep before breakfast.

Visitor from Texas

The Notch Trail was thrilling, and the night sky left us speechless.

Visitor from Illinois

Badlands surprised me — hauntingly beautiful, yet peaceful.

Visitor from Minnesota

Land of Stone & Sky

The Badlands remind us that time can be both fierce and beautiful — a place where the past lies open to the wind.
Come see what eons have created.

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Badlands National Park Tours

South Dakota’s Surreal Wilderness

Featured Experiences