Badlands National Park


The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today.

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.

  • Auto and ATV
  • Scenic Driving
  • Astronomy
  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Car or Front Country Camping
  • Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
  • Compass and GPS
  • Food
  • Hiking
  • Horse Trekking
  • Horse Camping (see also camping)
  • Horseback Riding
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Park Film
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store
  • Gift Shop and Souvenirs

  • Archeology
  • Arts
  • Colonization and Settlement
  • Farming and Agriculture
  • Military
  • Indigenous and Native Warrior
  • Monuments and Memorials
  • Native American Heritage
  • Transportation
  • Tragic Events
  • Massacres
  • Wars and Conflicts
  • Indian and Frontier Wars
  • Westward Expansion
  • Homesteading
  • Ancient Seas
  • Animals
  • Birds
  • Bison
  • Cats (wild)
  • Horses (wild)
  • Tortoises and Turtles
  • Climate Change
  • Fire
  • Fossils and Paleontology
  • Geology
  • Grasslands
  • Prairies
  • Night Sky
  • Astronomy
  • Rock Landscapes and Features
  • Scenic Views
  • Trails
  • Unique Species
  • Endangered
  • Wilderness

Badlands Storm

Layered badlands formations behind fields of green grass under cloudy and billowing clouds.

Summer storms are frequently violent and unpredictable.

Badlands Yellow Mounds

The yellow mounds are peaking out of the formations in this photo.

The yellow mounds are peaking out of the formations in this photo.

Badlands Rugged Peaks

Badlands formations are very rugged and often have sharp peaks.

Badlands formations are very rugged and often have sharp peaks.

Clover Landscape

Jagged badlands buttes extended in horizon amid yellow flowers under a blue sky.

The park has seasonal changes in colors so plan ahead!

Badlands in the Winter

road leading between snow covered badlands formations

Winter in Badlands National Park often creates snow covered wonderlands throughout the park.