Located in the southwest part of South Dakota, Badlands National Park offers campers an exceptional location to camp or to set out and explore the South Dakota wilderness. The park offers two official campsites, plus the opportunity to explore the park's backcountry. It's located within 90 minutes of Rapid City, the Black Hills National Forest and Mount Rushmore. It also sits on part of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and its southern tip is less than an hour from Wounded Knee.
Badlands National Park features two organized campgrounds---Cedar Pass and Sage Creek Primitive campgrounds, according to Badlands National Park's official website. Cedar Pass is located just inside the park entrance, while Sage Creek is located 35 miles inside the park. Cedar Pass features 100 campsites, while Sage Creek has only 15.
Knowing what you want in a campground could determine which campground to use. Cedar Pass is a bit more modern. The campground has water, flush toilets and picnic tables from April through September. The rest of the year, Cedar Pass has chemical toilets, picnic tables and water. RVs are allowed. Sage Creek has no water but features pit toilets and picnic tables. The official Web site says RV camping is possible at Sage Creek, as a dirt road provides access to the campground.
For those who need supplies, choosing a campsite close to a city may be important. The Cedar Pass site is located within 3 miles of Interior, South Dakota, which has a grocery story and service station. Sage Creek is located 15 miles from Wall, South Dakota, which also features a grocery story and service station, according to the Badlands National Park's website.
Both sites are open year-round, but the park's website cautions that Sage Creek fills up early in the day and that Cedar Pass fills up by early in the afternoon, especially during peak times. Sage Creek is first-come, first served; and while Cedar Pass is the same, groups may make a reservation. Group size must be 10 or more. Also, no open campfires are allowed at either campsite, so campers will need a stove to cook.
Cedar Pass is $10 per night during the season (April through September), with a 14-day limit. During the off-season, the fee is $8 per day, and campers may stay as long as they wish. Sage Creek does not charge a fee, but the limit is 14 days.
Badlands National Park also allows backcountry camping, but there are no organized sites. There are no fees, either. The park's website highly recommends that wilderness campers provide information to a park ranger and sign trailhead logs before setting out. Topographic maps are also recommended. Backcountry campers can set up camp anywhere that is at least ½ mile from a road, and it is recommended that those campers use the 64,250-acre Sage Creek Wilderness. Campers may park their cars at the Sage Creek campsite and set out from there. No open flames are allowed, and campers should take a stove, food and water.
