It was still a relief to only drive a few miles in that dark versus making the trek all the way back to Rapid City or the Black Hills area. Tips for Visiting Badlands National Park There are three main entrances to Badlands National Park. If you are coming from the East, from Sioux Falls, it best to use the Northeast Entrance, which is off Exit 131 on Interstate 90. For those coming from the West, from Rapid City, take Exit 110 in Wall and use the Pinnacles Entrance (be sure to stop by the famous Wall Drug first! ) You can also enter at the Interior Entrance, in the south east corner of the park, although that isn't off any major highways. There are three park units: the Palmer Creek Unit, the Stronghold Unit, and the North Unit. Most visitors will concentrate their time in the North Unit and use one of the three entrances mentioned above. My recommended itinerary if you are coming from the Black Hills or Rapid City area would be to enter at the Pinnacles Entrance. When you come to a fork in the road after passing through the tollbooth, make a right onto Sage Creek Rim Road.
Everything is great and the manager is a really nice guy. Badlands Budget host Interior Located in Interior, Badlands Budget host features a restaurant, seasonal outdoor swimming pool, garden, and free WiFi. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a playground. Great stop over in a fantastic setting. Best Western Plains Motel Wall Seasonal outdoor and indoor pools, both heated, are featured at this motel in Wall. The Minuteman Missile Historic Site is 9 minutes' drive away. Free WiFi is available. Location, facilities- everything! $86. 69 Days Inn by Wyndham Wall Located 10 minutes' drive from Badlands National Park, this Wall, South Dakota motel serves a daily continental breakfast to all guests. we were on a road trip and needed a place to stay, and this hotel was perfect for us. comfortable bed, good breakfst and a great price. $76. 49 Budget Host Sundowner Motor Inn Kadoka Kadoka Offering free Wi-Fi in every room, this South Dakota hotel is 30 minutes' drive from Badlands National Park.
This time, when you get to the split in the road, make a right onto Badlands Loop Road. Along the Badlands Loop Road, there are many scenic overlooks with short hikes to viewpoints. Be sure to stop at the Pinnacles Overlook, Yellow Mounds Overlook, and Panorama Point, at a minimum. Pinnacles Overlook Depending on how much time you spend at the various overlooks, it will take you two to three hours to make your way from the Pinnacles Entrance to the Cedar Pass Area. In the Cedar Pass Area, you will find the Ben Reifel Visitor Center and the Cedar Pass Lodge. Be sure to stop into the Bed Reifel Visitor Center. There is a movie about the Badlands, as well as a fossil lab. This is where you can find out about Ranger-led walks and the topics for the evening Ranger Talks. The evening Ranger Talks take place at the amphitheater next to the Cedar Pass Campground. If you are staying nearby, like at the Circle View Guest Ranch, I highly recommend attending one of these session. The Ranger Talk we attended talked all about the role of water in the Badlands and how animals and settlers have had to adapt to the lack of drinkable water.
The Badlands have the most significant mixed-grass prairie, the best known Oligocene fossil resources in the world, and the area is filled with remnants of sea and turtle shells, leading proof this area was once under water. The Cedar Pass Lodge is a great place to catch the moon The Beauty of South Dakota. Enjoy these beautiful aerial views of South Dakota's diverse landscapes and wonderful places.
Finding lodging options around the National Parks is challenging. Usually any in-park options book up at least a year in advance. Campgrounds are a bit more flexible and there are usually some vacation rental options in the area, but finding a decent hotel nearby takes some work. The Badlands National Park lodging options are even more limited than other parks. There is one lodge, the Cedar Pass Lodge, and a campground. However the closest city, Rapid City, is over an hour away. Just outside the southern entrance in Interior, there are a couple of budget options including the Badlands Inn from Forever Resorts (a concessioner of the National Park Service) and the Badlands Interior Motel and Campgrounds. Yellow Mounds Overlook When I was searching for where to stay near Badlands National Park six months before we visited, I ran across an interesting option at the Circle View Guest Ranch was just what I was looking for. Circle View Guest Ranch Review Note: This post contains affiliate links.
377 Every room in this motel has views of the nearby Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. You can have breakfast and d... Read More {{ ice_tag}} | {{}} ● {{ dress}} {{}} ● {{ dress}} Read More · No Hotels Results Please try a broader search or clear all filters: There are no results for {{ strDestName}} Hotels in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions: Clear All Filters Distance from: Enter a sight, restaurant, hotel, or other place to find hotels nearby.
It was entertaining and fascinating. Maybe you will get lucky and get to enjoy some amazing star gazing with the evening Night Sky Viewing program. In the Cedar Pass area, you will also find some hiking trails including the self-guided Fossil Exhibit Trail, the Cliff Shelf Nature Trail, and the Door Trail. If you are staying at the Circle View Guest Ranch, you can finish off the rest of the park by taking the Interior Entrance and driving north on Route 240 to the Northeast Entrance. Make sure to stop at the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site Visitor Center on your way out before you travel on. Tips for visiting Badlands National Park: Wear closed-toe shoes to protect against rocks, dust, cacti, and rattlesnakes Bring LOTS of water as there are limited options for refilling in the park (recommended is one gallon per person) Stay away from wildlife, especially bison Wear sunscreen and a hat. Temperatures in the summer can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit Don't climb on the rock formations.