Badlands National Park in South Dakota is just to the south of Interstate 90 running across the southwestern portion of the state, so driving to the park’s Pinnacles or Notheast entrances from the interstate is easy. The Pinnacles Entrance is 11 miles (17.7 km) south of Wall (ever heard of Wall Drug?), and about 75 miles (120.7 km) east and south of Rapid City. The Northeast Entrance is also just south of Interstate 90 and approximately 274 miles (441 km) – a little under 4 hours’ drive – west of Sioux Falls.
Badlands National Park is located just south of Interstate 90 between Rapid City and Sioux Falls, South Dakota / Google Maps
You can fly via commercial airlines to Rapid City and Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Rapid City is much closer to the park), then you’ll need to rent a vehicle for the remainder of your trip. View, download, and print a PDF or a high-resolution JPG of the park map for use prior to and during your visit.
Badlands National Park staff offers these handy directions:
Interstate 90 (I-90) is located directly north of the park and provides access to the Hwy 240 Badlands Loop Road. For those traveling west on I-90, take Exit 131 (Interior) and follow the signs directing vehicles south approximately three miles to the Northeast Entrance. For those traveling east on I-90, take Exit 110 at Wall, South Dakota. Follow signs directing vehicles south approximately seven miles to the Pinnacles Entrance. State Highway 44 provides an alternate, scenic access to the park and intersects Highway 377 in the town of Interior. Follow 377 two miles north to the Interior Entrance.
Getting Around 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. Road may be temporarily closed after heavy rain or snow.
Sheep Mountain Table Road is four miles south of Scenic, SD on Pennington County Road 589.
If you are driving or renting an electric vehicle (EV), make certain you know where available charging stations are. A quick look on Google indicated charging stations in Wall, South Dakota.
