The Best Time to Visit Badlands National Park

Are you thinking of taking a trip to Badlands National Park but are unsure of when to go? My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I can’t wait to help you decide when is the best time to visit Badlands!

You’ll want to consider things like the weather, what’s open, and the crowds when choosing the best time to visit Badlands National Park. Here are my suggestions if you’re hoping to:

• Beat the crowds: September
• Travel during the summer: June
• Go backpacking: September
• Save money: May or October
• Have a unique adventure: December

Each month in this park is unique and can give you a completely different experience.  Let’s talk through the pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision on the best time to visit Badlands!

Average Monthly Temperatures in Badlands

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg High (F)	34	40	48	62	72	83	92	91	81	68	50	39
Avg Low (F)	11	16	24	36	46	56	62	61	51	39	26	17
Avg Precipitation (“)	0.3	0.5	0.9	1.8	2.8	3.1	1.9	1.5	1.2	0.9	0.4	0.3

Winter in Badlands (November-March)

Welcome to the park’s longest season! If you’re planning on visiting the Badlands in the winter, be ready for snow and frigid temperatures. Winter storms are common, so many of the park’s trails and roads may temporarily close to clear the snow and ice typical of the park at this time.

Visiting the Badlands in the winter is a great idea if you’re looking to avoid crowds and save a bit of money, especially if you’re a snowshoeing enthusiast and don’t mind the cold weather!

November in Badlands

Winter sets in at Badlands National Park during November, which means colder temperatures and more consistent snow storms. Come prepared with winter clothes and a good plan B in case roads or trails close during your trip!

What You Need to Know

• All roads are open year-round but may close temporarily in the winter to clear off snow and ice.
• The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with closures on Thanksgiving Day.
• The White River Visitor Center is closed.
• The Cedar Pass Cabins are open.
• Both the Cedar Pass and Sage Creek Campgrounds are open but may experience limited availability during the winter.
• All activities and hiking trails are typically open, but weather-related closures may occur.
• Ranger programs are typically unavailable during November.
• Rapid City hosts its annual Festival of Lights Parade at the end of November to kick off the holiday season!
• The crowd levels are low.

December in Badlands

December is cold and snowy in the Badlands, so bring some hot cocoa if you’re planning on making a holiday visit!

The landscape can be beautiful to drive through during December, but be sure to keep an eye on the forecast and check for weather-related closures before you start exploring.

What You Need to Know

• All roads are open year-round but may close temporarily in the winter to clear off snow and ice.
• The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with closures on Christmas Day.
• The White River Visitor Center is closed.
• The Cedar Pass Cabins are open.
• Both the Cedar Pass and Sage Creek Campgrounds are open but may experience limited availability during the winter.
• All activities and hiking trails are typically open, but weather-related closures may occur.
• Ranger programs are typically unavailable during December.
• For some extra Christmas fun near Badlands, check out Kris Kringle’s Christmas Market in Deadwood.
• The crowd levels are low.

January in Badlands

Winter has Badlands National Park in its cold clutches during January, with cold temperatures and snow storms common throughout the whole month.

Wildlife viewing can be tough this month, but crowd levels are low if you’re looking for some peace and solitude!

What You Need to Know

• All roads are open year-round but may close temporarily in the winter to clear off snow and ice.
• The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with closures on New Year’s Day.
• The White River Visitor Center is closed.
• The Cedar Pass Cabins are open.
• Both the Cedar Pass and Sage Creek Campgrounds are open but may experience limited availability during the winter.
• All activities and hiking trails are typically open, but weather-related closures may occur.
• Ranger programs are typically unavailable during January.
• The Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo starts at the end of January.
• The crowd levels are low.

February in Badlands

February has some of the lowest visitation numbers at Badlands, so if you want to have the park to yourself, now is the time to come.

You won’t be able to attend a ranger program, and odds are that wildlife will be scarce, but you may really enjoy Badlands with a beautiful dusting of snow and no crowds!

What You Need to Know

• All roads are open year-round but may close temporarily in the winter to clear off snow and ice.
• The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• The White River Visitor Center is closed.
• The Cedar Pass Cabins are open.
• Both the Cedar Pass and Sage Creek Campgrounds are open but may experience limited availability during the winter.
• All activities and hiking trails are typically open, but weather-related closures may occur.
• Ranger programs are typically unavailable during February.
• The crowd levels are low.

March in Badlands

Badlands National Park isn’t quite ready to come out of winter yet in March—it’s still cold and susceptible to snow storms. Pack a coat and have good backup plans in case trails or roads close.

What You Need to Know

• All roads are open year-round but may close temporarily in the winter to clear off snow and ice.
• The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• The White River Visitor Center is closed.
• The Cedar Pass Cabins are open.
• Both the Cedar Pass and Sage Creek Campgrounds are open but may experience limited availability during the winter.
• All activities and hiking trails are typically open, but weather-related closures may occur.
• Ranger programs are typically unavailable during March.
• The crowd levels are low.

Spring in Badlands (April and May)

Spring brings warmer temperatures and higher precipitation levels to Badlands National Park. Badlands is typically a dry and arid park, but sudden spring rainstorms can cause closures throughout the park, so be prepared for anything!

Most of the activities in the park, such as ranger programs, won’t start up again until May, so spring is a great time to visit if you want to beat the crowds without exploring in the freezing winter temperatures.

April in Badlands

Spring hasn’t quite yet sprung yet in Badlands come April, but temperatures will rise a little bit. April is one of the wettest months the park will experience throughout the whole year, so keep in mind that rainstorms can pop up by surprise.

What You Need to Know

• All roads are open year-round but may close temporarily due to heavy rains.
• The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• The White River Visitor Center is closed.
• The Cedar Pass Cabins are open.
• Both the Cedar Pass and Sage Creek Campgrounds are open but may experience limited availability due to heavy rains/flooding.
• All activities and hiking trails are typically open, but weather-related closures may occur.
• Ranger programs are typically unavailable during April.
• The crowd levels are low.

May in Badlands

Spring is finally in full swing in the Badlands during May, meaning that temperatures are getting to be a bit warmer and more consistently comfortable for exploring the park!

Badlands starts offering its full lineup of ranger programs in May, and wildlife viewing opportunities start to increase drastically. The park gets busier in May in anticipation of the busy summer season.

What You Need to Know

• All roads are open year-round but may close temporarily due to heavy rains.
• The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• The White River Visitor Center is closed.
• The Cedar Pass Cabins are open.
• Both the Cedar Pass and Sage Creek Campgrounds are open but may experience limited availability due to heavy rains/flooding.
• All activities and hiking trails are typically open, but weather-related closures may occur.
• Ranger programs start running regularly in May.
• The crowd levels are moderate.

Summer in Badlands (June-August)

Summer is by far the most popular season to visit Badlands National Park! Temperatures typically hover around 90 degrees or so — be sure to bring lots of water because Badlands gets incredibly dry during the summer.

In addition to the heat, you’ll also experience the most activities that the park has to offer during the summer months. All ranger programs are in full swing, and trails and roads shouldn’t see many weather-related closures. Be ready to share the park with lots of people who want to experience this area during the peak season.

June in Badlands

Summer temperatures set in this month, along with all of the crowds! June is the wettest month in Badlands National Park, but the rain can make for interesting photographs and cooler temperatures for adventuring.

I suggest visiting Badlands in June if you need to travel during the summer but want slightly more comfortable summer temperatures and slightly smaller summer crowds.

What You Need to Know

• All roads should be open, but construction or weather-related closures are possible.
• The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• The White River Visitor Center is open.
• The Cedar Pass Cabins are open.
• Both the Cedar Pass and Sage Creek Campgrounds are open.
• All activities and hiking trails are open, weather permitting.
• Ranger programs are available.
• The Fossil Preparation Lab is open for visitors to ask questions and watch the paleontologists work.
• The crowd levels are extremely high.

July in Badlands

July is hot and dry in Badlands National Park, but it’s also the busiest time. Be sure to have a good plan for navigating the crowds and finding parking at the most popular trailheads.

Expect daytime temperatures to be in the 90s — you’ll need lots of water and sunscreen as you explore the park this month.

What You Need to Know

• All roads should be open, but construction or weather-related closures are possible.
• The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• The White River Visitor Center is open.
• The Cedar Pass Cabins are open.
• Both the Cedar Pass and Sage Creek Campgrounds are open.
• All activities and hiking trails are open, weather permitting.
• Ranger programs are available.
• The Fossil Preparation Lab is open for visitors to ask questions and watch the paleontologists work.
• The Badlands Astronomy Festival usually takes place at the end of July.
• You can find so many amazing 4th of July activities in the Black Hills! The 4th of July weekend is one of the busiest weekends of the year, so plan accordingly.
• The crowd levels are extremely high.

August in Badlands

August is the last month of summer in Badlands National Park, so if you weren’t able to make it out to the park during your summer break, now is the time to go!

Temperatures are still hot and dry, but everything’s open and waiting for you to come and explore.

What You Need to Know

• All roads should be open, but construction or weather-related closures are possible.
• The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• The White River Visitor Center is open.
• The Cedar Pass Cabins are open.
• Both the Cedar Pass and Sage Creek Campgrounds are open.
• All activities and hiking trails are open, weather permitting.
• Ranger programs are available.
• The Fossil Preparation Lab is open for visitors to ask questions and watch the paleontologists work.
• It’s Sturgis! This famous motorcycle rally occurs at the beginning of August every year and brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to this area of South Dakota. Expect high lodging prices and massive crowds this month.
• The crowd levels are extremely high.

Autumn in Badlands (September and October)

Fall is a transition period for Badlands—the temperatures start to drop, ranger programs finish up for the season, and the prime wildlife viewing opportunities diminish.

This is a great time to visit if you want to see the leaves change color and get some last-minute hiking in before the winter. Crowd levels drop substantially in September and October, and daytime temperatures are cool and comfortable.

September in Badlands

September is a fantastic month in the Badlands! It’s not as hot and dry, but you still typically get lovely weather that’s perfect for exploring the park.

Crowds start to die down as families head back to school, but wildlife viewing is amazing, and the views are gorgeous in the autumn sun. I suggest a September visit if you’d like some nice hiking weather with less crowded trails!

What You Need to Know

• All roads should be open, but construction or weather-related closures are possible.
• The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• The White River Visitor Center is open.
• The Cedar Pass Cabins are open.
• Both the Cedar Pass and Sage Creek Campgrounds are open.
• All activities and hiking trails are open, weather permitting.
• Ranger programs end around Labor Day weekend.
• The Fossil Preparation Lab is open for visitors to ask questions and watch the paleontologists work.
• The Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup is usually held at the end of September, and it’s amazing!
• The crowd levels are high.

October in Badlands

If you don’t mind a gamble, October may be the perfect time to visit Badlands National Park. The weather can be fantastic for hiking, but I have also encountered a snowstorm or two during this month as well!

Crowd levels and temperatures dip harshly during October in Badlands, making it the last time you can expect to go hiking without your winter layers until spring. Plus, you may be able to see some beautiful fall colors if you visit before the end of the month.

What You Need to Know

• All roads should be open, but construction or weather-related closures are possible.
• The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• The White River Visitor Center is closed.
• The Cedar Pass Cabins are open.
• Both the Cedar Pass and Sage Creek Campgrounds are open.
• All activities and hiking trails are open, weather permitting.
• Ranger programs are typically unavailable during October.
• The Black Hills Powwow is held at the beginning of October each year. Come and experience this fun and educational Native American gathering!
• The crowd levels are moderate.

Now that you’ve learned about the best time to visit Badlands National Park, you’re ready to make your dream trip to the Black Hills a reality. Happy trails!

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