Parks / The Plains and the Great Lakes
Badlands
Stop 41 of 51 on the loop. Stay in Wall SD, give it 2 nights, and plan the day around Badlands Loop Road.
- State
- SD
- Stay in
- Wall SD
- Nights on this route
- 2
- Month on this route
- June
- Don't miss
- Badlands Loop Road
- Getting here
- 95 mi from Custer SD, about 1 h 52 min.
- Next stop
- Theodore Roosevelt, 298 mi, about 5 h 39 min.
About the Park
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.
Description from the National Park Service.
Where to Stay
On this route you sleep in Wall SD. Gateway towns have more lodging, groceries and fuel than the park itself. If you want an in-park lodge instead, the busiest parks book up as early as 13 months out.
Entrance Fees
- $30 Private Vehicle
- $25 Motorcycle
- $15 Per person (walk or bike in)
An $80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers entry at every national park; on a trip like this it pays for itself after three parks. Fees from the NPS, checked 2026-10-18.
Nearby Parks
- Wind Cave about 69 mi as the crow flies
- Theodore Roosevelt about 211 mi as the crow flies
- Rocky Mountain about 301 mi as the crow flies
Official site: https://www.nps.gov/badl/. Route data checked 2026-10-19.