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How to get to Badlands National Park?
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Can you hike in the Badlands?
Jun 7, 2024 · Is it easy to get in and around Badlands National Park? Despite looking like another planet, the Badlands are easy to reach. The park is about an hour’s drive from Rapid City Regional Airport , which services several major airlines.
Nov 12, 2020 · Getting Around In the Park. Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240), accessed from Interstate 90, is a two-lane, paved surface that takes you through the North Unit of the park. Sage Creek Rim Road (Highway 590) is a gravel road that takes you along the north rim of the Badlands Wilderness Area.
From here, it takes one hour to drive to the national park. You can either visit Badlands National Park as a day trip from Rapid City or the Black Hills of South Dakota, or spend one to two nights in Wall, the closest town to the national park.
- How to Get to Badlands National Park
- Travel Tips For Visiting Badlands National Park
- Badlands FAQs
- How This Badlands Itinerary Works
- Badlands National Park Itinerary: Day One
- Badlands Itinerary: Day Two
- Badlands Itinerary: Day Three
- Alternative Day 2 & 3 Badlands Itinerary
- Badlands Day Pack Gear List
- Badlands Backpacking Gear List
From Rapid City
From Rapid City to Badlands National Park, it takes about an hour drive to get to the park. There is a small regional airport at Rapid City. There are direct flights to the Rapid City airportfrom Minneapolis, Denver, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, and Dallas. From Rapid City, you’ll want to rent a car to continue onto the rest of your Badlands NP itinerary.
From Sioux Falls
It’s a bit of a long drive between Sioux Falls and Badlands National Park, which is about a 4 hour drive via I-90, but it’s an airport that has a little more options than Rapid City. There are direct flights to the Sioux Falls airport from Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas, Atlanta, Orlando, Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, and Minneapolis.
On a South Dakota Road Trip
I’ve written a South Dakota road trip itineraryin full, which you can read here. Your road trip itinerary should include Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park, the Black Hills and the Crazy Horse Memorial, and Mount Rushmore, all of which are clustered close to the Rapid City Airport. Other places that might be of interest are Deadwood, SD and Devils Tower National Monument in nearby Wyoming. Below is a map that shows a rough South Dakota road trip itinerary.
Preparation for Visiting the Badlands
An important thing to note before we get into all of the options you have to explore the Badlands is that there are limited amenities. So make sure you fill your gas tank before you head into the park! You should make sure that you bring plenty of food for 1, 2, or 3 days in the park. Packing a lunch that needs to stay cool? Skip the bulky cooler — we suggest this awesome insulated tote from Hydroflaskfor your picnic needs. You can also get food at the restaurant at Cedar Pass Lodge near the...
Weather and Timing Your Badlands Visit
An important thing to note about Badlands National Park is that theweather changes rapidly. One moment it can be warm and sunny; the next cool and stormy. There are often high winds that will rip through the landscape. This is especially important to note if you plan on camping in the Badlands. A sturdy, legit tent isimperative. We’ll let you know more about camping in the Badlands later. Note that summer is an especially stormy time with high winds and frequent thunderstorms… and rainbows th...
What is an “Open Hike” Park?
One of the most incredible things about the Badlands is that while they may have many small trails and overlooks, this park is actually what is called an Open Hikepark! That means you can hike and camp anywhere you want in the park, even if there are no trails. If you choose to camp off-trail, you must camp at least 0.5 miles from any trails or roads.So you should be out of sight from anyone on the trail. Always carry a map and a daypack. See the end of the post for our gear suggestions! If y...
How much time do you need in Badlands National Park? One day in Badlands National Park is enough to get the basics, but two or three days will be even better. We give you options for 1, 2, and 3 day itineraries for this exact reason. Can do you do Badlands National Park in one day?Absolutely! Start at the Northeast entrance and make your way throug...
This Badlands National Park itinerary is additive, meaning that the first day of the itinerary covers everything you’d want to see if you have only one day in Badlands National Park. It is structured in a logical way that reduces backtracking and prioritizes the most important things. It also makes sure you get out and do some light hiking, so that...
Take a scenic drive on Badlands Loop Road.
Whichever end of the park you decide to enter from, you will end up on the Badlands Loop Road, a beautiful scenic byway through the park. It is the absolute best way to see the park if you only have one day in the Badlands, and it is one of the most scenic drives in all of the state! Honestly, this park is relatively small compared to other national parks in the USA, so one day will allow you to see the major attractions of the Badlands. The Badlands Loop Road is just 30 miles. As you travers...
Make some stops for hikes and overlooks.
Your first stop will be the Big Badlands Overlook. It is a popular stop that offers hikers stunning views of the Badlands. As you traverse south on Badlands Loop Road, you will find a great short hike at the Notch Trail. This trail is 1.5 miles and not too strenuous. One nifty feature of the trail is the rope ladder which ascends to a stunning viewpoint. It is one of the most popular hikes in the park! Other tempting short hikes are the Window Trail and the Door Trail. Both of these trails ar...
Take a short hike amongst fossils.
One of my favorite short hikes along Badlands Loop Road is the Fossil Exhibit Trail at the Fossil Exhibit Trailhead. It is a great way to get to know the prehistory of the park! Plus, the fossil exhibits are hands-on so that you can touch the fossil moldings. You may even find an actual fossil along the trail! It is only 0.25 miles to hike this guy, so it’s easy for everyone, even if you’re visiting the Badlands with kids! The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is also an awesome place to check out fo...
Spend some time exploring the area around your campsite.
Once you’ve slept in and made yourself breakfast (or ate a filling, tasty breakfast from the lodge), you will want to explore more of whatever area you chose to stay in. If you’re staying only two days in Badlands National Park, you may want to break down your campsite now before continuing on with your day, or if you have three days in the Badlands, you can continue on without taking down your campsite. The start of the day is up to you! Whether this is hiking on an established trail or taki...
Hike the Castle Trail for Sunset.
If you are staying for two days in Badlands National Park, be sure to take the time to view the sunset along the Castle Trail! Be sure to start this hike in the early afternoon. At 10.8 miles round trip, it is the longest trail in the Badlands. It will take up a nice chunk of an afternoon in the park, so be sure to start plenty early and bring a headlamp. You will go on a stunning hike and explore the Castle Trail for incredible sunset views. Be sure to start the trail at the west trailhead h...
If you have three days to spend in the park, you can add endless backcountry adventures to your Badlands National Park itinerary! Perhaps you could spend the first day exploring the Badlands Loop Road, and then head on out to the depths of the park for your two nights in the park.
Explore other trails and overlooks.
If you don’t want to do backcountry camping, there are still plenty of ways you can enjoy a multi-day Badlands National Park itinerary. On your second day in the park, head out to watch the sunrise. You will be awe-struck by the colors and sheer majesty of the park during the early morning hours. Again, there are some great options for this. This includes the Castle Trail, as mentioned above. If you plan to make the Castle Trail for sunrise, you can add theMedicine Root Loop Trailto your hike...
Get out of the park and into town.
Additionally, when you have more time on your itinerary, you can leave the park for a few hours to explore the outlying area of the park. For example, you may want to head out to the tourist town of Wall, SD, where there are a handful of restaurants and shops to enjoy. Wall Drugis one of the big attractions. It is here where you can get handmade donuts and get some free ice water. The ice water was one of the ways that the original owners drew travelers to this town in the “middle of nowhere....
Revel in the satisfaction of an incredible visit to Mako Sica.
Mako Sica is what the Lakota called the Badlands. It translates literally to bad lands. The variable weather and sometimes harsh environment are what created this namesake. However, this land is also sacred. It provided sustenance and a beautiful home for countless tribes. Remember this and treat this land with the proper respect it deserves. Remember that all National Parks are on stolen land— the same as virtually all of the United States. When you come here, you will be blown away by the e...
One gallon of water per personFood (trail mix, sandwiches, granola bars, etc.)Sunscreen (I use chemical-freeto impact the environment less)One gallon of water per person, per day.Water filter (I use the Grayl water filter bottle— it’s perfect)Sturdy tent (I love this pop-up tent from Ayamaya; it assembles in just 5 minutes even solo — yes, really!)May 26, 2023 · 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.
Oct 16, 2024 · How to spend one day in Badlands National Park: best views, best hikes, best driving route through the park, day trip from Rapid City.
Oct 16, 2024 · With one week in South Dakota, you can visit Badlands National Park, the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, and day trip to Devils Tower.
