How to Plan One Day in Badlands National Park

There is a lot you can fit into a one-day Badlands National Park itinerary. That’s all the time we were able to dedicate to this impressive park, and while I’d definitely come back, I didn’t feel aggressive FOMO after our jam-packed day.

Badlands National Park is worth seeing if you like otherworldly landscapes, wildlife spotting, and accessible trails to get you up close and personal with the park’s rock formations and spires. 

This is one of those national parks that definitely meets expectations, especially if you want your visit to feel like you’re on another planet.

Is Badlands National Park worth visiting?

Badlands National Park is worth visiting to see some of the most interesting landscapes in the country. On top of the photogenic zebra stripes, those unique geological formations have produced some of the best fossils in the United States.

Visit the Badlands for open hiking opportunities in and out of the backcountry, diverse wildlife, and a chance to make all kinds of jokes about how they’re not bad at all.

The Badlands are called the Badlands thanks to the Lakota. Before they were displaced thanks to white men seeking to strike it rich in these hills, they called this land “mako sica.” The literal translation for that was “bad lands.”

By pioneer times, the area was described as treacherous and difficult to travel across, so the name stuck. There are badlands in North Dakota, too, by the way.

How many days do you need for Badlands National Park?

You only need one day in Badlands National Park to see the best overlooks, fit in a few trails, and drive the Badlands Loop Road. 

How much time to spend in Badlands National Park depends on your time constraints, though. Two days in the Badlands means room for longer hikes and time to explore areas within a short drive like the Buffalo Gap National Grassland and the Black Hills. 

As we only had one day in the Badlands, that’s what I’ll focus on here. I’ll include some optional stops for you along the way if you’re here for longer.

The Best Time to Visit the Badlands

The best time of year to visit Badlands National Park is in the spring or early fall. Early June is still fine as far as the weather and crowds are concerned, and you’ll have lots of colorful wildflower activity.

This park doesn’t see nearly the foot traffic of more popular parks like Yellowstone, but the summer months get quite warm here. The winter months may sound like a good idea if you’re looking for solitude, but you’ll also find sections of the park closed in winter.

We visited over the first half of June. It got warm by midday, but we’re typically done with our hikes by then. If you’re starting your day at lunch in our national parks, you’re doing it wrong!

How to Get to Badlands National Park

The best entrance for visiting Badlands National Park depends on your starting point. If you’re coming from Rapid City, start at the Northeast Entrance Station. You can get from Rapid City to Badlands National Park in about an hour.

READ MORE: Does this sound like your plan? Spend some time with my guide to Rapid City.

If you’re starting in Wall, you’ll want the Pinnacles Entrance Station. Wall is only half an hour from the Badlands, so this is a popular Badlands National Park entrance. I’d argue it’s the less exciting town on a South Dakota itinerary compared to Rapid City. 

Unless you’re really interested in spending extensive time at Wall Drug, I’d argue getting up a half hour earlier for the drive from Rapid City works best. 

Rapid City gets you close to so much more, like Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, and the surrounding forests for a Badlands-Black Hills itinerary.

Getting Around Badlands National Park

To see the Badlands, you’ll need a car. There are limited tours available if that sounds better to you, but those are pricey.

I won’t even share them here, as I really don’t think they’re the best way to see this one, and I’m not just out there slinging tours I don’t believe in.

You can navigate the Badlands scenic loop in a standard vehicle, but Sage Creek Rim Road is a dirt and gravel road. Most cars will do just fine if you want to include it in your itinerary, but things got pretty bumpy even in our SUV.

How to Spend One Day in Badlands National Park

You can spend one day in Badlands National Park like this:

• Tour the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site.
• See the view from the Big Badlands Overlook.
• Hike from the Door, Window, Notch, and Cliff Shelf Nature trailheads.
• Stop by the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.
• Walk the Fossil Exhibit Trail.
• Check out the views along the Badlands Loop Road.
• Have an adventure on the Sage Creek Rim Road.

Before you hit the road, I’d recommend packing lunch. There’s only one food option in the park, so I can imagine it gets crowded around meal times.

Optional Stop 1: Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

We intended to stop at the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site Visitor Center on the way in, as it’s just a few minutes from the Northeast Entrance Station. Unfortunately, it was closed on the Tuesday we visited. (It’s closed Mondays, too.)

Yes, even travel bloggers mess up sometimes.

If you’d like to one-up me, start here when plotting out your Badlands National Park itinerary. You’ll learn more about the arms race during the Cold War and the repercussions of these missile sites in some of the least-populated areas of the country.

Fun fact: If you’re ever in Cheyenne, you can visit the Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility State Historic Site. It’s no secret that I didn’t love Cheyenne, but our tour here was informative, cheap, and easy to book on the same day.

If you want to be extra prepared at this site, book a ranger-guided tour of the Delta-01 Launch Control Facility.

Stop 2: Big Badlands Overlook

This is the first big scenic stop after you enter the park. You’ll want to make a stop here, too. Take a short boardwalk to the overlook to get a taste of how expansive this place is.

If you’re able to make it during sunrise or sunset, I imagine this spot is pretty magical. It was still pretty great the morning of our arrival.

Stop 3: Door Trailhead

The next three stops can all be accessed from the same parking lot. That parking lot is quite long, though. Park in the middle or on either end if extra steps don’t matter to you.

We parked by the Door Trailhead and walked to the other end when it was time for the rest.

Start at the Door Trailhead. This is one of the most popular hikes in the park because it gives you an opportunity to take a short boardwalk trail to a lookout and a more adventurous option into the park. 

Walk to the lookout first, then return from whence you came to the stairs that take you down to the ground level. This is a great way to get yourself acquainted with the rugged beauty of the Badlands. 

The park service describes this one as challenging. While there is some scrambling and a tricky bit toward the end where you have to navigate some heights, this one seemed pretty easy and family-friendly to me.

The overlook and journey into the Badlands are all under a mile roundtrip.

Stop 4: Window Trailhead

Walk (or drive) to the other side of the parking lot for a short boardwalk trail to a few rocks that resemble windows carved into the Badlands Wall.

Fun fact: The Badlands Wall is the main geological feature in the park. It’s what separates the lower prairie to the south from the upper prairie to the north. The North still remembers, by the way.

Stop 5: Notch Trail

This is the most exciting hike in the park, and by that I mean the hike that left me sore and glad to be alive.

It’s just 1.2 miles roundtrip, but you’ll want to give yourself some extra time for this one. There is a wooden ladder involved that you’ll need to navigate up and then back down. If you’re here during a busy time, you may have to wait for people to come up.

Note: We had no wait heading up and a short wait heading down mid-morning on a Tuesday. If you’re visiting on a weekend, you may want to start here vs. anywhere else to avoid long lines at the ladder. 

Navigating the ladder wasn’t too bad going up but there’s a bit of a fear response going down, especially if you have people following you and shaking this thing all about. 

We saw a few people climbing the rocks to the left side of the ladder, something I definitely wouldn’t recommend. We also saw some small kids navigating this one, but I’m not sure I’d recommend that, either. 

It felt like they should have a minimum height posted on this thing, and maybe even a few questions for you to answer before tackling the trail:

• Are you afraid of heights? No? Carry on.
• Do you have limited upper body strength? Yes? Return to your car.
• Do you have intrusive thoughts as you descend wooden ladders? Yes? This party’s not for you.
• Do you like to shake wooden ladders to freak out people descending below you? Yes? You’re an ass. Turn around.

There were people turning around at the ladder or shortly after, but the payoff was a ways off past the ladder. There’s a great viewpoint if you make it all the way that I thought was way more impressive than the climbing portion.

READ MORE: Love a hike with an adrenaline rush? Check out my guide to the epic hike to Sky Pond.

Stop 6: Cliff Shelf Nature Trail

This one is a short loop trail through a very different landscape. We liked that it showed off the diversity in the park.

It’s more of a forest walk than a walk through the dry desert like the others, so you’ll get to enjoy some shade along the way. Shade is a premium experience in the park. Use a boardwalk and stairs to navigate your way to great views of the landscape below.

Stop 7: Ben Reifel Visitor Center

I know some people love starting national park adventures in visitor centers, but I promise you’ll be OK if you don’t follow that routine here. If you’re worried about road or trail closures, that information is always available on park websites.

This is a good stop for mid-morning to refill water bottles, give yourself a nicer bathroom break, and make use of the picnic bays if your stomach is growling. The exhibit space inside has some interesting info on the extinct creatures that once roamed these lands.

This is also where you’ll find the park’s Fossil Preparation Lab. If that’s exciting, pop inside. It’s staffed by local paleontologists who can answer all of your questions about fossils found in the Badlands.

If you want to get on your way, take a quick breather, avoid the gift shop — oh, that’s where all of the people are! — and head on out.

Optional Stop 8: Cedar Pass Lodge

If you’re looking for restaurants in Badlands National Park, this is your only dining option. It’s also the only option for overnight accommodations in the park that aren’t about camping.

We didn’t partake in the delicacies here as we packed a lunch for ultimate time-savings, but I’m not the boss of you. 

If you’ve never had fry bread, this is a decent place to try it. They make their own here daily. If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, fry bread is a deep-fried dough that is then stuffed as an Indian taco or topped with sweeter toppings as more of a dessert.

I haven’t had it here, but it’s generally a delicious, indulgent treat.

Stop 9: Fossil Exhibit Trail

This is another short boardwalk stroll to some interpretive signage telling the story of fossil activity in the park. This is also where many dum dums gather to show off their feelings about boardwalk trails, so I left this one pretty annoyed.

Here’s the thing about the Badlands. The park has an open hike policy. That means you won’t get in trouble for hiking off the boardwalks. You’re free to explore the park as you please, as long as you’re not putting yourself in danger. 

That said, common sense applies. The Badlands aren’t a personal sandbox for your kids. The rock formations aren’t your neighborhood park. You don’t get to carve on things or make someone else’s visit crappy because you fancy yourself a planking enthusiast. 

Here’s a bit more. If you’re not equipped to go off-roading, stay on the boardwalks. It gets hot out there. It gets disorienting. You should have more water with you than you think you’ll need, and have a decent sense of direction.

Take notice of the bird activity while you’re here. We saw quite a few cliff swallows making mud nests underneath the shelter here. If you’re traveling with kids, please don’t let them bug the birds. We saw so much swatting and attempts to catch the birds. 

Stop 10: White River Valley Overlook

The hard work is over. It’s time for some overlooks along the Badlands Loop Road, also known as the Badlands National Park scenic route.

It takes about an hour to drive the loop in Badlands National Park. That’s without any stops, though, and doesn’t account for any potential wildlife spotting.

You’ll want to get out of your car and take in a few overlooks at the very least. Budget two hours or so if you’d like to tackle the scenic road at a more leisurely pace.

Start your scenic drive at the White River Valley Overlook and its impressive peaks and valleys. You can see the river crisscrossing down below.

Stop 11: Bigfoot Pass Overlook

This one is worth a stop if you haven’t had your lunch yet, as there’s a nice picnic area here. As far as the overlook, there are two ways to see this spot named after Chief Bigfoot, not the mythical sasquatch. 

Chief Bigfoot, who also went by Spotted Elk, was a chief of the Lakota Sioux. He was known for his peace negotiations and connections to Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. 

The side with the bench is much better, as the other is just a road view. If you’re here in the spring, this is a great spot to catch wildflowers.

Stop 12: Panorama Point

The name checks out on this one. It’s a great panorama. We saw evidence of bighorn sheep poop at this one, too, so it must be a good spot to see critters if you’re lucky. (Brian claims it was sheep poop, by the way, and he’s usually accurate about these things.)

If you’re feeling a little Badlands fatigue at this point, you don’t need to stop at every single overlook along the scenic road. I like doing all of the things, so we did most of the stops so you don’t have to. 

The Prairie Wind Overlook is an easy skip, but I’m from the Midwest. I get the idea of a prairie. If you don’t, this may intrigue you. The Burns Basin Overlook was a quick stop for us, but it’s honestly more of the same views you’ve already seen in a better spot. 

The Homestead Overlook shows off a flat valley below. It might be a nice stop if you’re here in the spring and into June as we were. It was impressive how green it was. We saw bighorn sheep munching in the grass in between stops, so the poop theory checked out.

Stop 13: Yellow Mounds Overlook

You’ll pass by the Conata Basin Overlook on the way here, but keep driving if you’re short on time. This one is more exciting and I’d argue the prettiest part of Badlands National Park.

The Yellow Mounds Overlook might’ve been our favorite overlook. You’ll have incredible views of literal yellow mounds all around you, especially if you’re able to climb one of the hills for a bird’s-eye view

This is a great stop to spend a little extra time at rather than breezing through another viewpoint. The landscape boasts a little more color than what you’ve seen so far on your drive.

Stop 14: Pinnacles Overlook

You can skip the Ancient Hunters Overlook in favor of this one if you’re short on time. You’ll get more views of the Badlands here, but it’s also a great spot to catch bighorn sheep on the far cliffs in front of you. 

You’ll have to take my word for it about the sheep based on the photo. The screaming child announcing their presence was enough proof for these tired eyes. 

We also saw a bullsnake crossing the road on the way to this one. I have no jokes about what he was after on the other side. The long guy (or gal) barely missed our car tires as it wiggled across.

I’m just glad we didn’t see any rattlesnakes during our visit to the Badlands. They frequent these parts.

Stop 15: Sage Creek Rim Road

You’ll pass by a turn for the Pinnacles Entrance Station on your way to your off-road adventure for the day. Continue onto the gravel road for more views and what the experts claim is the best wildlife spotting in the park.

Sage Creek Rim Road is easy enough to manage in a standard vehicle, but it’s always more comfortable for you and your kidneys if you’re in a vehicle that can handle gravel.

Stop at viewpoints like the Hay Butte Overlook and the Badlands Wilderness Overlook as you make your way along the road. 

Keep your eyes open along this road. It’s especially important if you’re driving, but this is also a great place to catch bison, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep. We didn’t see a ton here until we got to Roberts Prairie Dog Town.

If it’s your first time in a park like this, watching the prairie dogs may be exciting for you. Just don’t get too close. They may be cute, but they also carry the plague. I’m not even kidding.

On a lighter note, this was our first view of bison in the park.

Make a final stop at the Sage Creek Basin Overlook before turning back toward civilization. If you love bumping along on scenic drives, you can take a more scenic route by completely ignoring the turn north after this point. 

“The road was calling to me,” Brian said, so we bumped along for what seemed like another four hours (it wasn’t that long) west to make the trip back to Rapid City.

You’ll likely have the rest of the road to yourself, which means more potential wildlife spotting. We caught a glimpse of jittery pronghorn darting across the road at one point before entering a very different landscape of rolling green hills.

More Things to Do in Badlands National Park

We had a pup waiting for us back at our place — pets aren’t allowed on any hiking trails in the park — so that’s all we had time for on our Badlands itinerary. That doesn’t mean the party has to be over for you. 

For something truly impressive, the Castle Trail is the longest hike in the park at 10 miles roundtrip. There’s not much elevation gain, but the length makes it a moderate hike. From what I’ve read, this is a great hike for wildlife spotting in the surrounding prairie.

Note: This one isn’t a loop trail, but an out-and-back hike. If you have a vigor for life and two cars or a friend who will pick you up on the other side, you may be able to fit this one in on your one day in the Badlands. It’s a more manageable five miles that way, because math.

If you’re here to climb, try the Saddle Pass Trail. This trail climbs 300 feet in just over half a mile to views over the White River Valley.

If you’re in or near the park overnight, the National Park Service offers Night Sky Viewings for stargazers nightly in the spring, summer, and fall. 

Things to Do Near Badlands National Park

If you’re tired from exploring the Badlands but in the area for a while, you’re well-situated for more South Dakota adventures.

Here are a few popular options:

• Visit Wall Drug. You likely had this idea already from the billboards along the way. Get your free ice water and tick this monster tchotchke shop off your bucket list.
• Hike in the Black Hills or Custer State Park. Custer State Park is good enough that it could easily join the ranks of national parks in this state.
• Explore Rapid City. I found the town to be a pleasant surprise with a great food and beer scene.
• Tour a cave at Wind Cave National Park. Book tours in advance if you’re a fan of caves. This one sells out!
• Decide whether Mount Rushmore is worth the hype. Much like Deadwood, it’s not my favorite place. It’s still a classic South Dakota stop for a reason.

Where to Stay Near Badlands National Park

The only place to stay inside the park is the Cedar Pass Lodge. If you like camping, I’m proud of you. Choose between the Cedar Pass Campground or Sage Creek Campground.

You can’t just pop a tent in the backcountry despite what I said about their open hike policy, though.

For a taste of civilization, stay in Wall or Rapid City. Wall is closer to the park, so it’s ideal for folks seeking efficiency. If you want to do more than tour the Badlands on your South Dakota road trip, stay in Rapid City. That was our pick for our Badlands trip.

If you’re going for efficiency, use the map below for accommodations near Badlands National Park:

You should visit Badlands National Park.

Badlands National Park was our favorite stop in South Dakota. The landscapes here can make you feel very small, and they’re so much more impressive than more touristy attractions across the state.

Even if you’re not ticking off national parks as we were, this one is worth the effort for its unique geology, rich fossil history, and opportunities for outdoor adventure.

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