There is only one in-park lodging choice at Badlands National Park, consisting of 23 cabins and open seasonally.
A Cedar Pass Lodge cabin, Badlands National Park / Rebecca Latson
I’d planned to visit Badlands National Park in South Dakota during the first week of April. Family responsibilities required a departure delay to much later in the month, which worked out well, regarding lodging. Had I left earlier, one of the hotels in the small town of Wall (pop. 700) would serve as my photographic “basecamp.” A new arrival date of April 21 instead of April 6 meant I could reserve a Cedar Pass Lodge cabin, operated by Aramark Destinations and the only in-park accommodation.
You can read the rest of this article about Cedar Pass Lodge and see photos of the cabins here.
Since there are only 23 cabins offered at the lodge, they fill up fast. If you want to stay at one of these cabins, it’s a good idea to make your reservation months ahead of your park visit by visiting the lodge's website or calling 855-765-0737. The lodge is seasonal; for 2024 it's open from April 19 – October 20.
If no cabins are available, there are still options in Interior, South Dakota, about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the Cedar Pass Lodge, and Wall, South Dakota, 11 miles (17.7 km) north of the park’s Pinnacles Entrance.
Badlands Inn, also operated by Aramark Destinations in the nearby town of Interior, South Dakota, offers 20 motel-style rooms on two floors in a single building. Badlands Inn is closed for the 2024 season for winter storm repairs, so prices are currently unavailable.
Wall, South Dakota, offers several standard motel/hotel-type accommodations along with some cabins. Prices range from $123 - $212 depending upon the accommodation type. These prices are subject to change depending upon the season.
Northeast of Badlands’ Pinnacles Entrance is Rapid City, South Dakota, with a much larger selection of lodging options, if you don’t mind a daily 60-minute drive to the park (and 60 minutes back to Rapid City).
