Badlands National Park is a hidden gem full of incredible vistas and unique experiences. No matter when you visit, this park has so many fun activities and beautiful views!
Where should you stay while visiting Badlands? If you want to stay right at the heart of the park and get early-morning views of the formations and plains, consider the Cedar Pass Lodge. If you don’t mind staying outside of the park with some extra amenities, you’ll find good options in Rapid City.
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I want to help you experience the brilliance of this national park, so let’s talk about your options for lodging in Badlands!
Badlands Map, Entrances, and Nearby Towns
First off, let’s look at which entrances you can take to get to the park. There are three official entrances: Pinnacles, Northeast, and Interior.
Pinnacles Entrance of Badlands (Wall)
The Pinnacles Entrance of Badlands is a popular way to enter the park due to its proximity to Wall Drug. If you haven’t heard about Wall Drug, you’ll see plenty of signs for its “free ice water” as you travel toward the park. You’ll want to plan on stopping at Wall Drug either before or after your time at Badlands National Park — it’s a place you don’t want to miss.
Entering the park via the Pinnacles Entrance gets you close to the main park road, the Badlands Loop Road, so you can easily get to all of the main points of interest. You’ll also be close to the Sage Creek Rim Road, which is a small dirt road with some interesting stops.
The small town of Wall doesn’t have much by way of amenities or lodging, so you likely won’t be staying in this area when you visit Badlands.
Northeast Entrance of Badlands
The Northeast Entrance of Badlands is the other popular entrance to take if you’re driving in from Rapid City. You’ll exit the freeway and head straight into the park from here — you won’t find a town or any amenities near this entrance.
The Northeast Entrance connects with the main road through the park, the Badlands Loop Road, and gets you super close to some of the most popular hikes in the park, including the Notch, the Door, and Cliff Shelf.
Another cool thing about the Northeast Entrance is that you can easily stop at the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site as you enter or exit Badlands from here.
Interior Entrance of Badlands
The Interior Entrance to the park brings you right in near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center and the Cedar Pass Lodge. You’ll probably only enter or exit through this entrance station if you’re staying in the town of Interior or if you take a scenic route to the park.
Staying Inside of Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park isn’t surrounded by much, so most of the amenities and lodging options in the area are found in Rapid City, about an hour away. If you are hoping to make the most of your time in Badlands, it’s a great idea to book something within the boundaries of the park!
The Cedar Pass Lodge
The Cedar Pass Lodge is the only hotel in the park and is conveniently located right in the middle of everything you don’t want to miss in Badlands. From here, you have easy access to the main hikes, viewpoints, and scenic drives that this park is known for!
These cabins are in high demand. Reservations typically open up in November for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. If you have your heart set on staying at this lodge, make your reservation as early as you can.
Experiencing Badlands National Park before everyone gets there or after everyone has left is the very best thing about staying right in the park!
National park lodges typically aren’t known for their amenities or comforts…you’re usually paying for location and ambiance. The Cedar Pass Lodge is an exception to that — you’ll find air conditioning, TVs, and refrigerators in the hotel rooms here, in addition to the fabulous location and ambiance.
Badlands Campgrounds
Badlands National Park has two frontcountry campgrounds to choose from. Both campgrounds are located in close proximity to the main park road, making it easy to explore the park from either.
If you are hoping for a traditional camping experience with running water and flush toilets, you’ll want to book something at the Cedar Pass Campground. This campground is conveniently located next to the lodge and main park visitor center.
For a more rustic experience with some solitude, the Sage Creek Campground might be the perfect option for you.
To learn more about your camping options in the park, read all about camping in Badlands.
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!
Staying Outside of Badlands National Park
The truth is, there isn’t much near Badlands National Park — you will feel like you are in the middle of nowhere while you are here! If you can’t get lodging in the park, you’ll have very few options right outside of Badlands.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing! I often stay in the Rapid City area and just make the drive out to Badlands when I want to explore the park. Let’s talk about a few options you have if you’re staying outside of the park.
Staying in Interior
The closest town to Badlands National Park that has a place I would actually consider staying is Interior. Although it’s a small town, it does have one decently rated accommodation: the Badlands Budget Host. This motel offers a flatscreen TV in each room and has a pool that you can use during your stay. It’s also under 10 minutes from the park, and you can get a room with a balcony that looks over the surrounding mountains!
If you want to be close to the park, this is a good option.
Staying in Rapid City
I often stay in the Rapid City area when I’m visiting Badlands National Park. There is so much to do near Rapid City, so I usually try to book one hotel for the entirety of my trip, and then I’ll day trip to all the amazing points of interest from there — Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Wind Cave, Deadwood, etc.
Click here to see the many lodging options in Rapid City.
Should I Stay in One Hotel to See Everything in the Area?
Yes, if you want to stay in one place the whole time, you can totally just book one hotel in a central location like Rapid City and then drive to everything from there!
I hope you find an amazing place to stay while visiting Badlands National Park — happy trails!
More Badlands Trip Planning Information
South Dakota Parks Itinerary — a detailed hour-by-hour sightseeing schedule.
How to Get to Badlands — the best airports and roads in the area.
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.
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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I have been hiking in the Badlands for 25 years and have stayed in Wall most of the time. Have hiked most areas of the Noth unit and plenty of unique places in the South unit. It is quite a drive from Wall to the South unit but I’d you spend the day down there it’s not bad
Plenty of motels available in Wall from May 1 to October 31.
Awesome!