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Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park is located in the Southwest section of South Dakota.  The Park is open all year and the entrance fee is good for 7 days.  You can also use the Park Annual Pass, Interagency Annual Pass, Interagency Senior Pass and Interagency Access Pass available from the National Park Service. 

Two of the entrances are located off Route I-90 – from the East at Cactus Flat and from the West at Wall.  You can find lodging in Wall, South Dakota (make sure you stop at Wall Drugs – a wonderful “tourist trap” that is worth a little time, I stop by every time I go to Badlands National Park) or Kadoka, South Dakota.  The only lodging in the Park is at Cedar Pass Lodge (open from mid-April to mid-October).  There are also two campgrounds in the Park.  The only restaurant in the Park is located at Cedar Pass Lodge, which has excellent service – make sure you try the Indian Taco.

There are two visitor centers – the White River Visitor Center (located on the Pine Ridge Reservation off Highway 27) and the Ben Reifel Visitor Center (located at Park headquarters).  The White River Visitor Center is operated by the Oglala Sioux Parks and Recreation Authority and staffed by Tribal members.

Badlands National Park is a relatively small park with beautiful, desolate buttes, pinnacles and spires.  You can get a good overview of this Park in one day, more time is needed if you hike the trails.  The overlooks along the main route are easily accessible and give you a glimpse of the rugged beauty of this National Park.  If you have the time to explore further, you can also drive along the old route through the Park.  There are areas of the Park where you are not allowed to stop your car due to the ongoing erosion.  Check at the visitor centers for up-to-date information.

Just north of the Northeast (Cactus Flat) Entrance is Prairie Homestead – an original dugout home typical of places that once dotted the area.

There are numerous overlooks and trails – many of them accessible for wheelchairs and people with mobility impairments.

Door Trail:  The boardwalk section is wheelchair accessible, but the remainder of the trail is extremely rugged.  Do not leave the trail – it is common area for visitors to become lost.

Windows Trail:  Short, wheelchair accessible.

Notch Trail:  This trail should not be attempted by people who are bothered by heights.  Hiking boots are strongly recommended.

Castle Trail:  At five miles, this is the longest maintained trail in the Park.  Be sure to take plenty of water, wear a hat and good hiking booths.  Rattlesnakes are not unusual along this trail.

Cliff Shelf Nature Trail:  The first section of this trail is wheelchair accessible.  The steeper portions have stairs and boardwalks.

Saddle Pass Trail:  The most strenuous maintained route in the park – short but very steep.

Fossil Exhibit Trail:  Fully accessible for those with mobility impairments.