Badlands National Park
Designation: National Park
Location: South Dakota
📘 Park Overview
The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today.
🌤 Weather Information
The Badlands weather is variable and unpredictable with temperature extremes ranging from 116° F to -40° F. Summers are hot and dry with occasional violent thunderstorms. Hailstorms and occasional tornadoes can descend on the Badlands with sudden fury. Winters are typically cold with 12 to 24 inches of total snowfall.
🚗 Directions
Badlands National Park is located 75 miles east of Rapid City, South Dakota. Physical Addresses for GPS* Park Headquarters: 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior, SD 57750. Northeast Entrance (I-90, Exit 131): 21020 SD Hwy 240, Interior, SD 57750. Pinnacles Entrance (I-90, Exit 110): 24240 Hwy 240, Wall, SD 57790. Interior Entrance: 20640 SD Hwy 377, Interior, SD 57750.
Images
Summer storms are frequently violent and unpredictable.
Credit: NPS Photo
The yellow mounds are peaking out of the formations in this photo.
Credit: NPS Photo
Badlands formations are very rugged and often have sharp peaks.
Credit: NPS Photo
The park has seasonal changes in colors so plan ahead!
Credit: NPS Photo
Winter in Badlands National Park often creates snow covered wonderlands throughout the park.
Credit: NPS Photo/Brad Barker
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
3-Day Weather Forecast
Tuesday, May 19
Sunny
High: 61.7°F | Low: 35.1°F
Humidity: 61%
Wind: 10.5 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 7.1
Sunrise: 05:20 AM
Sunset: 08:13 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (7%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 39.1°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Wednesday, May 20
Partly Cloudy
High: 69.2°F | Low: 46.5°F
Humidity: 47%
Wind: 26.6 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 7.1
Sunrise: 05:19 AM
Sunset: 08:14 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (15%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 46.5°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Thursday, May 21
Moderate rain
High: 75.1°F | Low: 49.3°F
Humidity: 63%
Wind: 26.8 mph
Rain Chance: 79%
UV Index: 0.1
Sunrise: 05:18 AM
Sunset: 08:15 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (24%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 51.6°F
Cloud Cover: 79%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (1)
Frost Advisory issued May 19 at 11:46AM MDT until May 20 at 8:00AM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
Effective: May 19, 2026 1:46pm
Expires: May 20, 2026 5:00am
* WHAT...Temperatures as low as 33 may result in frost formation.
* WHERE...Portions of northwestern, south central, and southwestern
South Dakota.
* WHEN...From midnight MDT /1 AM CDT/ tonight to 8 AM MDT /9 AM CDT/
Wednesday.
* IMPACTS...Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive
outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered.
Park Alerts
Park Events
Geology Walk
Explore the geologic formations of Badlands National Park! A Ranger will guide you through the "door." Meet at the north end of the Door/Window parking lot approximately 2 miles north of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center on the Badlands Loop Road.
Location: Door Trail
Date: May 17, 2026 12:00am to Sep 7, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Fossil Talk
Learn what fossils can tell us about the story of ancient life in the Badlands and why we need to protect them. Meet at the Fossil Exhibit Trailhead, 5 miles northwest of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center on the Badlands Loop Road.
Location: Fossil Exhibit Trailhead
Date: May 17, 2026 12:00am to Sep 7, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Evening Prairie Walk
Join a ranger for an easy, family-friendly walk through the prairie and get a closer look at one of North America's most important, and often overlooked, ecosystems.
Date: May 22, 2026 12:00am to Sep 7, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Evening Ranger Program
Finish your day with an evening presentation highlighting geology, fossils, wildlife, history, or other Badlands area topics.
Location: Cedar Pass Amphitheater
Date: May 22, 2026 12:00am to Jul 31, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Night Sky Program
After the evening program, join Rangers for a presentation, night sky tour, and telescope viewing.
Location: Cedar Pass Amphitheater
Date: May 22, 2026 12:00am to Jul 31, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Night Sky Program
After the evening program, join Rangers for a presentation, night sky tour, and telescope viewing.
Location: Cedar Pass Lodge Amphitheater
Date: Aug 1, 2026 12:00am to Aug 31, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Evening Ranger Program
Finish your day with an evening presentation highlighting geology, fossils, wildlife, history, or other Badlands area topics.
Location: Cedar Pass Amphitheater
Date: Aug 1, 2026 12:00am to Aug 31, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Night Sky Program
After the evening program, join Rangers for a presentation, night sky tour, and telescope viewing.
Location: Cedar Pass Lodge Amphitheater
Date: Sep 1, 2026 12:00am to Sep 7, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Evening Ranger Program
Finish your day with an evening presentation highlighting geology, fossils, wildlife, history, or other Badlands area topics.
Location: Cedar Pass Amphitheater
Date: Sep 1, 2026 12:00am to Sep 7, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
25216 Ben Reifel Road
Interior, SD 57750
🏤 Mailing Address:
25216 Ben Reifel Road
Interior, SD 57750
📞 Voice Phone: 6054335361
✉️ Email: badl_information@nps.gov