Where do you start at Badlands National Park?

Where to Begin. The closest major airport to Badlands National Park is in Rapid City, South Dakota. From there, visitors can drive for about an hour to the North Unit of the park. The Ben Reifel Visitor Center on the east side of the park is the main spot for information in the North Unit.



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Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240), accessed from Interstate 90, is a two-lane, paved surface that takes you through the North Unit of the park. Sage Creek Rim Road (Highway 590) is a gravel road that takes you along the north rim of the Badlands Wilderness Area.

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Most visitors to Badlands National Park drive the Loop Road as part of their visit. Whether you get out at every overlook on the Loop Road or enjoy the views from the comfort of your car, you're sure to see some amazing vistas on this drive!

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Covering all 3 is a very full day, but it can be done with an early start. If I ran short on time, I'd eliminate Wall Drug. The Badlands will take an hour drive time from Rapid, and then allot around 4 hours to adequately see the park. Allot about an hour and a half back to Rushmore.

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You can drive the whole park in 1 day and see all the overlooks but if you want to go on some hikes or on a float trip you will need an extra day. Good luck fitting it all in and have a great trip. Helpful? We did Custer, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, the Needles, the Badlands, and Rapid City, and Mt.

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Badlands Loop Road (SD 240) is a spectacular way to see the North Unit of Badlands National Park. This two-lane paved road is appropriate for all motor vehicles but does include several steep passes and sections with reduced speed limits. Drive carefully, as wildlife is common along the Loop Road.

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Badlands National Park charges an entrance fee. You may purchase a 7-day pass valid at only Badlands National Park by selecting from the choices (Private Vehicle, Motorcycle, or Individual).

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Badlands National Park is a relatively small park and it is super easy to visit. One road, Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240), cuts through the heart of the park. This road is 30 miles long and it takes about an hour to drive the length of it, without stops.

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Badlands National Park
  • Interior, SD. 2.8 mi / 7 mins.
  • Wall, SD. 29.0 mi / 33 mins.
  • Rapid City, SD. 76.2 mi / 1 hour 21 mins.
  • Keystone, SD. 94.7 mi / 1 hour 39 mins.
  • Hill City, SD. 101 mi / 1 hour 46 mins.
  • Nemo, SD. 105 mi / 1 hour 51 mins.
  • Sturgis, SD. 108 mi / 1 hour 40 mins.
  • Custer, SD. 115 mi / 2 hours 3 mins.


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In-park accommodations and dining are closed during winter; visitor centers are either closed or have shortened hours. The shoulder seasons are the best time to visit: mid-April through May, and September through early October.

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Things to Keep in Mind You must camp a half mile away from any roads or trails and stay out of sight of the trails & roads. Badlands is only an hour from Wind Cave National Park, Mount Rushmore, and Black Hills National Forest. So plan a trip to this corner of South Dakota and see them all!

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People rarely travel to South Dakota just for the Badlands, but it's worth spending a full day exploring the park by doing the scenic drive, a few hikes or short walks, and eating in the visitor center. The unusual rock formations and the potential for solitude make this park unique.

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The Road to Rushmore The Memorial is located near Keystone in the Black Hills of South Dakota, a beautiful 18-mile scenic drive via Iron Mountain Road from the East entrance to Custer State Park and the State Game Lodge.

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