There are two campgrounds in Badlands National Park: Cedar Pass RV and Campground, managed by Cedar Pass Lodge (Aramark Destinations), and Sage Creek Campground.

Cedar Pass RV & Campground, Badlands National Park / Rebecca Latson

Campsite at Cedar Pass RV & Campground, Badlands National Park / Rebecca Latson

Located less than a mile (1.62 km) from the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, Cedar Pass RV and Campground is open April 19 – October 20, 2024 and offers 96 sites, including three ADA accessible sites, one of which is in the group site loop (see map). Accessible sites are not set aside specifically but instead offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so they may not be available if the campground is full.

Map of Cedar Pass RV & Campground, Badlands National Park / Cedar Pass Lodge photo

There are no full hook-ups offered, but 22 sites do have electric hook-ups (30/50 amp). A septic dump is available nearby for $1. Pay showers, flush toilets and running water are located nearby, also. Tent campsites accommodate 2 people and have a shaded picnic table. Campfires are not allowed but portable propane grills are permitted. There are 4 group sites, each accommodating up to 10 people and cost $42 per night. Tent and non-electric RV sites are $28 per night. Electric RV sites are $42 per night. There’s a $4 fee for each additional person per night.

Sage Creek Campground is a free, first-come, first-served campground with 22 sites located on Sage Creek Rim Road, a 6.5-mile (10.46 km) unpaved road that can close from time to time due to weather.

Sage Creek Campground, Badlands National Park / NPS - Ed Welsh

According to park staff:

Motor homes, pull behind trailers, and other recreational vehicles greater than 18 feet (5.49 m) in length are prohibited. This limitation does not apply to horse trailers. A portion of the Sage Creek Campground is designated for horse use.Pit toilets and covered picnic tables are available, but not water. Potable water is available at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Generators are not permitted. Due to fire danger, campfires are not permitted in this campground and collection of wood is prohibited. However, camp stoves or contained charcoal grills can be used in campgrounds and picnic areas. When using charcoal grills, ensure the charcoal is cool prior to disposal to prevent a trash fire.

Campgrounds Outside The Park

Campgrounds located outside of the park include Badlands/White River KOA Holiday Campground at Interior, South Dakota (open April 26 – September 29 for 2024). In addition to RV and tent sites, this campground offers various styles of cabins accommodating anywhere from 2 – 6 people, with and without bathrooms.

Open May 1 – October 15, 2024, Sleepy Hollow Campground & RV Park, located in the town of Wall, South Dakota, offers 59 pull-through RV sites and 20 tent sites. Of the RV sites, 37 are full hook-ups (30/50 amp). Maximum RV length is 65 feet (19.8 m). There’s even cable TV hook-ups and site-wide internet. RV sites range from approximately $49 - $61 per night. A 10 percent discount is offered to veterans and active military on the RV sites only. Tent sites are approximately $31 per night non-electric to $36 per night with 20-amp electric hookup. Dump and fill services range from $10 - $20.

Backcountry Camping

If you really feel like getting out into those badlands, you don't need a permit to do so but you do need some preparation. Here is what park staff suggest:

• Permits are not currently required for overnight stays in the Badlands backcountry. Before setting out on an overnight trip contact a staff member at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center or Pinnacles Entrance Station for more information. Backcountry registers are located at the Medicine/Castle Trail Loop, Saddle Pass Trailhead, Conata Picnic Area, Sage Creek Basin Overlook, and the Sage Creek Campground.
  
  
• Topographic maps are strongly recommended and are available for purchase in the Badlands Natural History Association Bookstore.
  
  
• Twisted or fractured ankles are the most common serious injury sustained in Badlands National Park. Make sure you are wearing sturdy boots with good ankle support. The park is home to many burrowing animals. Watch your footing.
  
  

• Campfires are not allowed under any circumstances. Use a backpacking stove.
  
  
• Pets are not permitted on trails, in backcountry, or wilderness areas.
  
  

• The location of your campsite must be at least 0.5 miles from a road or trail and must not be visible from a roadway.
  
  

• There is little to no water available in the backcountry. The small amounts of water found are not drinkable or filterable due to the high sediment content. Always carry at least one gallon of water per person per day.
  
  

• All refuse must be carried out. Use the cat hole method to dispose of human waste. Dig a small hole 6 to 8 inches deep and a minimum of 200 feet from any water source. Since animals will often dig up cat holes and scatter the toilet paper, it is preferred that you pack out all toilet paper. If you must bury toilet paper, use a minimal amount and bury with at least 6 inches of soil. Strain food particles from wastewater, pack out food scraps, and scatter remaining water more than 200 feet from any stream channel.
  
  

• Check the weather forecast. Severe thunderstorms are common during the summer, so are days above 100ºF (38ºC). September and early October are the best backpacking months.

Common Backcountry Locations

Badlands National Park is an open hike park, meaning that you are free to hike and camp off-trail as long as you stick to backcountry location rules: staying a half mile away from any roads or trails and staying out of sight. While the entire park is available to you, there are some popular routes for backcountry camping.

Deer Haven is a social trail leaving from Conata Picnic Area. Deer Haven is a 2.5-mile (one way) unmarked trail, although there is a relatively worn path to follow. The hike travels along the base of badlands formations, with buttes to the north and prairie to the south. At the end of the trail, there are a few locations to set up camp: in the prairie at the base of the buttes, on top of the buttes, or in Deer Haven, the grove of junipers halfway up the buttes for which the trail is named. 

There are also many backcountry camping options in the Sage Creek Wilderness Area, accessible from Sage Creek Rim Road. The park's bison live in this area and have created many game trails which are easy to follow from overlook parking areas or Sage Creek Campground. Follow the trail of your choice into the wilderness area and set up camp any time you're further than a half mile from a road and out of sight. Exercise caution when using game trails: if you encounter wildlife, be sure to maintain a distance of at least 100 feet (30.5 m).

Currently, back country camping is not allowed in the South Unit. Anyone interested in hiking in the South Unit should notify a ranger at the White River Visitor Center to ensure your safety and that you are not trespassing on private lands. Explorers must often cross private land to access the public land. Always obtain permission from landowners for vehicular or foot access before setting out for Cuny Table, Stronghold Table, and Palmer Creek. Be prepared with alternative destinations if land owners do not grant permission to cross their property. Hikers in the South Unit must be experienced map readers.

The White River Visitor Center is open seasonally, to contact please call 605-455-2878.