Badlands is an enchanting national park located in the exciting Rapid City area of South Dakota! In this article, we’ll discuss how to get to Badlands National Park, including the best airports to fly into and the best roads to drive!
If you are flying to Badlands National Park, the closest airport is the Rapid City Regional Airport, which is about 60 miles away. If you’d rather fly into a larger international airport, your options in the area are extremely limited.
Driving to Badlands National Park? You’ll drive along Interstate 90 to get to the park, which has a few fun stops along the way. This article also describes the other scenic roads in the Badlands area.
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I used to live near Badlands National Park, so I know the park well! I can’t wait to help you plan your upcoming trip to this surprising national park.
Let’s talk more about how to get to Badlands National Park, including my advice for the best airports and roads in the area!
Where is Badlands National Park Located?
Badlands National Park is located in Southwestern South Dakota. It is approximately 1 hour from Rapid City, SD, 4 hours from Sioux Falls, SD, and 5 hours from Casper, WY.
Badlands is close to many national parks and monuments, including Mount Rushmore, Wind Cave, and Devils Tower.
The closest town to Badlands National Park that has a decent number of amenities is Rapid City and its suburbs.
What is the Closest Airport to Badlands National Park?
Rapid City Regional Airport
The Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is the closest airport to Badlands National Park, which makes it my number one choice for flying to Badlands. It takes about 1 hour to drive from the airport to the Pinnacles Entrance of the park.
The Rapid City airport is also super convenient if you’re hoping to visit all of the cool sights in the Black Hills, including Mount Rushmore, Deadwood, and Custer State Park.
The Rapid City airport is open year-round and receives direct flights from only a couple of major U.S. cities, including Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and Phoenix, so you’ll probably connect through one of those cities if you’re flying in from anywhere else. You can book your flight on a variety of airlines, though, including United, Delta, Allegiant, and American Airlines.
There are a couple of other regional airports in the area, but they are all over 200 miles away and offer fewer flight options than Rapid City.
What is the Closest International Airport to Badlands National Park?
For most people coming to Badlands, it will make the most sense to fly into the Rapid City Regional Airport. But if you’re planning on covering a lot of ground and don’t mind turning your vacation into a road trip, you can fly into an international airport instead.
Casper International Airport
The Casper-Natrona County International Airport (CPR) is about 5 hours from Badlands, making this the closest international airport to the park.
The Casper Airport is in Wyoming, and it is the state’s only international airport, but flights are limited, especially if you’re hoping to fly direct. Delta and United Airlines operate here, and most flights will have layovers through either Salt Lake City or Denver.
If you decide to fly into Casper for your Badlands vacation, I recommend taking a slightly longer route and visiting Devils Tower, Spearfish, and Deadwood on your way over to Badlands National Park!
Billings-Logan International Airport
The Billings International Airport (BIL) is the next closest international airport to Badlands National Park. It’s around a 6-hour drive to the park, and most major airlines fly into this airport.
Many people like to visit Yellowstone National Park and the South Dakota parks during the same trip. If you are planning on also visiting Yellowstone, you can fly into Billings (or Bozeman — that airport works too!) and then road trip out to Badlands National Park from there.
A sample route to do this would be Billings to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (1 hour), Little Bighorn to Devils Tower (3.5 hours), Devils Tower to Rapid City (2 hours), Rapid City for a few days to hit all the parks, then Rapid City to Cody (6 hours), Cody to Yellowstone (2 hours), Yellowstone and Grand Teton for a few days, then drive back up to Billings (3 hours).
That would be an epic road trip!
Denver International Airport
Denver isn’t very close to Badlands National Park, but it’s a huge airport with cheaper fare options if you’re visiting from almost anywhere in the U.S. It takes about 6.5 hours to get to Badlands from this airport.
You’ll find plenty of flights from all major airlines in Denver (DEN), and you can also connect through this airport to get to the Rapid City Regional Airport if you’d like.
If you decide to fly into Denver, you can hit Rocky Mountain National Park while you’re in the area before driving up to the Rapid City area.
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Planning a trip to Badlands can be overwhelming.
How do you make a solid plan if you’ve never been to the park before? How do you keep everyone in your group excited and engaged?
You can spend hours on the internet searching for things to do, but you still won’t find the insider tips and first-hand knowledge that I’ve gained from working as a park ranger.
If you’re hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people, check out this South Dakota Parks Itinerary.
You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
The Best Roads In and Around Badlands National Park
If you’re driving to Badlands, you’ll get to experience South Dakota’s vast prairie land and farmland! Here are some things you can expect on the roads in and around Badlands National Park.
Interstate 90 (Rapid City to Wall)
I-90 is the primary road you’ll take to get to Badlands National Park. The park is just off the freeway, making it convenient to get here quickly and easily.
From Rapid City, you’ll drive east on I-90 for about 60 miles until you get to the small town of Wall. Wall is famous for Wall Drug, a massive store and restaurant. A stop at Wall Drug, either before or after visiting Badlands, is a must!
From Wall, you can drop down to the Pinnacles Entrance of Badlands, where you’ll then connect to the Badlands Loop Road, which travels to all the main points of interest in the park.
If you decide to save Wall Drug for later in the day, you can drive along I-90 for another few miles until you get to exit 131 and access the Badlands Loop Road through the park from there. You’ll enter the park through the Northeast Entrance if you take this route. Going this way will also take you right next to the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site!
Interstate 90 is a major highway, so expect multiple lanes in both directions and no seasonal closures. RVs are just fine driving this road—it’s mostly flat and surrounded by prairie and farmland.
Highway 240 (Badlands Loop Road)
To see the best of Badlands National Park, you’ll need to drive along scenic Highway 240, also known as the Badlands Loop Road. This loop can be accessed from either Wall or Cactus Flat if you’re traveling to the park via I-90 or from Highway 44 if you’re coming up from Interior.
This 2-lane, paved road takes you through the more popular North Unit of the park. You’ll drive through prairie land and get incredible views from your car of the rock formations at Badlands! This 39-mile road has more than a dozen scenic overlooks as it travels through the park.
Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, as sightings of animals like bighorn sheep, deer, birds, and prairie dogs are common on this road. Highway 240 can be a bit curvy at times as it twists through the Badlands, although it is still RV-friendly.
This road may temporarily close due to weather conditions, but otherwise, it stays open year-round.
You can also take a detour on the Sage Creek Rim Road, which is a dirt road that goes further into the park and provides even more opportunities to explore the park and look for wildlife!
Highway 44 (Rapid City to Interior)
Highway 44 travels from Rapid City to the Interior Entrance of Badlands National Park. This is an alternative route you can take to access the Badlands Loop Road if you’d rather not take Interstate 90. You’ll also want to drive along Highway 44 to access the less-visited South Unit of the park.
The views aren’t much different than what you’ll see along I-90—you’ll still be driving through the prairie and farmland. Highway 44 is a great option if you’re looking to take a less crowded route into the Badlands.
This road alternates between a 4-way and 2-way highway and is suitable for RVs.
This information should help you get to Badlands fast — there are so many fun adventures waiting for you in this unique national park. Safe travels!
More Badlands Trip Planning Information
South Dakota Parks Itinerary — a detailed hour-by-hour sightseeing schedule.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Badlands? — itinerary ideas.
The Best Time to Visit — what to expect during each month of the year.
Weather, Hours, and Closures — important weather info and common closures.
Where Should I Stay? — the best options in and around the park.
All About Camping — learn about the park’s campgrounds and how to get a site.
8 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit — the top 8 spots.
The Best Easy Hikes — the perfect trails for kids, wheelchairs, and beginners.
The Best Things to Do — activities for every adventurer.
The Ultimate Badlands Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
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