Operating Hours: top
Ben Reifel Visitor Center - April 11 - June 12, 1999: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, June 13 - August 28, 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, August 29 -September 11, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, September 12 - October 23, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, October 24 through, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
White River Visitors Center - June 12 - August 25, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Park is open year round, 24 hours a day
Fees & Permits: top
$10 vehicle access fee, $5 motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, annual Golden Eagle Pass, $50 and good at all National Park facilities for one year from date of issue. Overnight camping permit is $10 at Cedar Pass Campground per night, $1 for dump station use, Sage Creek Campground is free with backcountry registration. Commercial photography photos permit required.
Climate: top
Spring: Comfortable, and wet. Temperatures ranging from the 30'ies to the 80'ies by June
Summer: Warm with frequent afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures in the 70'ies to 100.
Fall: Cold and dry. Temperature ranging from the 70'ies in September falling to the single digits in December
Winter: Cold and dry with 12 to 24 inches of snow annually. Temperatures can fall as low as -30 F. and the area can experience severe snowstorms and ground blizzards. There is an almost constant 20 to 30 MPH northwest wind at this time of the year
What To See: top
Ben Reifel Visitors Center, 20 minute movie, 19 mile Park Loop Scenic Drive, 1/4 mile Fossil Trail and exhibit, Roberts Prairie Dog Town, Wild Bison Herd
Activities: top
A variety of ranger led activities are available during the summer months. You should call ahead for more information and a current schedule of events.
Children's Activities: top
Badlands National Park has a Junior Rangers Program for children ages 4 to 14. Teaches children about the park, nature and the environment. Enrollment is free and children completing this self study program earn a certificate and a patch. Some parks charge a nominal fee for the patch to offset the costs. You can contact the park directly for more information on this educational and fun program.
Hiking: top
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Fossil Exhibit Trail, 1/4 mile boardwalk, easy
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Cliff Shelf Nature Trail, 1/2 miles, easy-moderate
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Door Trail, 2/3 of a mile, easy-moderate
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Window Trail, 100 yards, easy
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Notch Ridge Trail, 1.2 miles, moderate-difficult, do not take if you have a fear of heights
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Castle Trail, 5.0 miles, easy-moderate
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Medicine Root Trail, 2.6 miles (maps are wrong), easy-moderate
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Saddle Pass Trail, 3/10 mile, difficult
Mountain Biking: top
Equestrian: top
Paddling: top
Rock Climbing: top
Improved Camp Sites: top
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Cedar Pass Campground, 96, 4 group campsites, first come first serve basis. No hookups or showers. Dump station is available for $1. Bathrooms with handicapped access and potable water, no open fires
Backcountry Primitive Camping: top
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Sage Creek Campground, backcountry permit required, RV's are not recommended, no open fires, no water, free, pit toilets
Improved Shelters, Cabins: top
Lodges or Motel Type Facilities: top
Transportation: top
Private vehicle and commercial tours only -- no public transportation, dirt and gravel roads may be impassable after rain, Stronghold Unit and Palmer Unit require four-wheel drive for access, recreational vehicles should not take the Sage Creek Road
Major Airline Access: top
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Rapid City, South Dakota, 50 miles east
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Sioux Falls, SD, 270 miles east
Accommodations: top
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Interior, South Dakota, 1 mile, Interstate 90
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Wall, South Dakota, 5 miles, Interstate 90
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Kadoka, South Dakota, 7 miles, Interstate 90
Food, Fuel, Shopping: top
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Interior, South Dakota, limited food, fuel and lodging
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Wall, South Dakota, many food, fuel, shopping and lodging options, home of Wall Drug
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Kadoka, South Dakota, limited food, fuel and lodging
Related Websites: top
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