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Badlands National Park

Badlands

Family Friendly South Dakota

Prescribed fire planned this week at Badlands National Park

Planning is underway to burn 2500 acres of land near Sheep Mt. Table this week. Timing for the presc...

Sep 24, 2025
Map of Badlands National Park with a green background showing area of the proposed prescribed fire outlined in red.

Overview

Badlands National Park is located in South Dakota and welcomes millions of visitors each year.

dark plants take root in a large pile of debris crumbling down the side of a jagged badlands butte.

Cedar Pass Campground

Sites available

RestroomsShowersWater
$37 Reserve
Rolling green hills of grass with juniper trees under blue sky.

Sage Creek Campground

Sites available

FreeWalk-in only
stars whir around the silhouette of a badlands butte in a circular motion
Astronomy

Enjoy the Night Sky

Night Sky Viewings are a great way to see the dark skies of the Badlands. Park rangers and astronomy...

30-90 MinutesSpring, Summer
three people stand silhouetted atop a badlands butte, pointing at the night sky.
Astronomy

Badlands Astronomy Festival

Celebrate the spectacular sights and science of night skies at Badlands National Park's annual Astro...

30-60 MinutesSummer
a ranger points at a geologic column on a piece of paper in front of a badlands butte.
Guided Tours

Badlands Ranger Programs

Many different programs are led by rangers at Badlands National Park. Learn more about wildlife, geo...

20-60 MinutesSpring, Summer
a cartoon child stands next to a cartoon range and points at badlands formations
Junior Ranger Program

Become a Badlands Junior Ranger

Become a Junior Ranger at Badlands National Park! By completing a fun activity book, you can earn a ...

30-45 MinutesWinter, Spring
a cloudy blue sky appears over jagged badlands formations, framed by green grasses in the foreground
Camping

Campgrounds

Set up camp at one of Badlands National Park's two official campgrounds. Whether you're seeing views...

Winter, SpringReservation Required
a hiker in a red jacket sits next to a blue tent with badlands buttes in the background
Camping

Backcountry Camping

Backcountry camping in the Badlands can be an exciting adventure for prepared and experienced hikers...

Winter, Spring
View All 21 Activities
Rectangular tan building facing several dozen rows of benches under blue sky.

Amphitheater

South Dakota

The amphitheater is used during periods of high visitation for evening programs, night sky viewing, and other special ev...

an expansive basin of mixed-grass prairie and badlands formations beneath blue sky.

Ancient Hunters Overlook

Great Plains

One of multiple overlooks in the park that provide expansive views of the Badlands. This overlook has a wayside exhibit ...

A dirt road runs parallel to a fence extending one mile under a blue sky.

Badlands Bison Corral

South Dakota

The Badlands bison corrals are off-limits to the public but can be seen along the road.

Flat expanse of land with sparse grasses and numerous pebbles under a blue sky.

Badlands Gunnery Range

Great Plains

This location provides an expansive view of the historic gunnery range.

A paved two-lane highway traversed between two badlands buttes and sporadic cottonwoods along the ro

Badlands Tunnels

Great Plains

Badlands Tunnels is an area that used to have passageways through the badlands formations rather than the present-day pa...

View All 30 Places