Backcountry Camping
Backcountry camping in the Badlands can be an exciting adventure for prepared and experienced hikers. Read more about rules, safety, and recommendations for backcountry campers here.
Year-round
National Park · SD
Things to do in Badlands
The National Park Service lists 21 things to do at Badlands National Park. 19 have no extra fee, 20 need no reservation, and 12 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Updated · NPS Data API
Badlands Astronomy Festival
Celebrate the spectacular sights and science of night skies at Badlands National Park's annual Astronomy Festival. Join astronomers, rangers, and visitors for activities, discussions, and programs about the night sky.
30-60 Minutes Summer Pets allowed
Badlands BADLibs
Have you ever played a game of Madlibs? Now you can try out a Badlands version! Pick out your favorite words, then fill them in to create your own wacky Badlands story. After that, share your BADLibs with us on social media -- and don't forget to have fun!
Pets allowed
Badlands Ranger Programs
Many different programs are led by rangers at Badlands National Park. Learn more about wildlife, geology, paleontology, and more by stopping at a ranger program during your visit! Visit this page to find program descriptions, locations, and typical times.
20-60 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall Pets allowed
Badlands Sunrises & Sunsets
Enjoy incredible views of the Badlands by waking up early or staying out late. Sunrises and sunsets are photographer favorites for a good reason -- check out this page to learn all the best spots!
Year-round Pets allowed
Become a Badlands Junior Ranger
Become a Junior Ranger at Badlands National Park! By completing a fun activity book, you can earn a Junior Ranger badge and pledge to explore, learn about, and protect the parks.
30-45 Minutes Year-round
Advertisement
Bicycling in the Badlands
Enjoy beautiful views of the Badlands without a windshield! Biking in the park offers a chance to experience scenery firsthand -- from the back of a bike, it almost feels like you can reach out and touch the rugged buttes and twisted spires.
Campgrounds
Set up camp at one of Badlands National Park's two official campgrounds. Whether you're seeing views of the Sage Creek Wilderness Area or Cedar Pass, you're sure to enjoy an overnight stay in the park.
Year-round Reservation required Fee applies Pets allowed
Drive Around the South Unit of the Badlands
Enjoy stunning views of Badlands National Park's South Unit by driving around its perimeter.
1-2 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Drive Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240)
Enjoy the sights of Badlands National Park by driving its most popular road -- Badlands Loop Road, also known as Highway 240. Catch beautiful landscapes, informational exhibits, and glimpses of wildlife on this incredible drive.
1-2 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Drive Sage Creek Rim Road
Enjoy views of badlands formations and glimpses of wildlife from Sage Creek Rim Road, one of the dirt roads located in the North Unit of Badlands National Park.
1-2 Hours Year-round
Enjoy the Night Sky
Night Sky Viewings are a great way to see the dark skies of the Badlands. Park rangers and astronomy volunteers are available to point out objects in the night sky and help you look through telescopes.
30-90 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall
Explore Sheep Mountain Table
Sheep Mountain Table is a great place to enjoy stunning views of the Badlands landscape. Whether you’re a hiker looking for a beautiful trail, a photographer scoping out a sunset spot, or simply a visitor seeking to explore the South Unit, Sheep Mountain…
1-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Hiking Badlands Back Roads With Your Dog
Back country roads are a great place to escape the everyday with your pet.
Winter, Spring, Fall Fee applies Pets allowed
Hiking the Badlands
Interested in hiking at Badlands National Park? Read about rules, official trails, and the park's open hike policy here.
1-5 Hours Year-round
Horseback Riding in the Badlands
Enjoy views of the Badlands from the saddle! Although no commercial horse rental or day rides are available in the park, Badlands invites horse owners to explore the Badlands Wilderness Area, consisting of 64,000 acres of eroded spires and mixed-grass…
Year-round Pets allowed
Pick Your Park Adventure in the Badlands
Pick your park adventure in the Badlands by deciding where to go next at the end of every chapter. Once your adventure is over, you can submit this activity to earn a Junior Ranger patch!
Pets allowed
Spotting Wildlife in the Badlands
Many animals call Badlands National Park home. Learn more about these critters and where you can find them on this page.
Year-round Pets allowed
Visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center
There's something for everyone at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center in the North Unit of Badlands National Park. Swing by the information desk, watch the park film, check out a working fossil preparation lab, enjoy museum exhibits, or stop by the park bookstore.
15-60 Minutes Year-round
Visit the Fossil Preparation Lab
Visit the Fossil Preparation Lab in Badlands National Park, where visitors have the opportunity to engage with paleontologists and other park staff working on Badlands fossils!
Summer
Visit the White River Visitor Center
The White River Visitor Center is the main facility in the South Unit of the park. Be sure to stop by to pick up maps, enjoy museum exhibits, and chat with rangers about the significance of the Badlands and treaties in Lakota heritage.
15-60 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall
Before you go
Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Badlands. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.
Things to do at nearby parks
Advertisement
Sources
- National Park Service Data API — things to do, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Descriptions are short excerpts; photos are NPS photos shown from nps.gov with their credit.
- Badlands National Park — things to do on nps.gov