Best Camping in and near Badlands National Park

99% (89 reviews)

Camp in an otherworldly landscape with unique rock formations.

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Stay at a public campground in Badlands National Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Badlands National Park

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Bear Den Cabins & Camp

8 sites · Lodging, Tents2 acres · Hermosa, SD

Bear Den is a small camp with 3 Glamping Tents, 2 cabins and shower house. Outdoor spaces for relaxing. We are located approximately 5 miles from Custer State Park, 11 miles from Keystone the Gateway to Mt. Rushmore in the beautiful southern Black Hills. Cabins have electricity, our tents do not have electricity. Cabins and showers are heated and open year round! All sites including 'bring your own tent' sites have access to the shower house and outdoor grilling areas. Pick a spot to pitch your own tent, one tent per space. If you have 2 tents please book 2 sites. We have 3 spots cleared. Hang your hammock in trees around the property. This option includes all access to the shower house and outdoor grilling areas!

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(38)

Black Hills & Badlands Sunrise&Set

9 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Hermosa, SD

Greetings! We're thrilled to extend a warm welcome to our peaceful slice of secluded paradise, on the Dancing Phoenix Farm. **Before your arrival, we ask that you familiarize yourself with the rules outlined upon booking. Also, please ensure you arrive NO LATER THAN 7PM to secure your reservation.** **PLEASE TAKE A SCREENSHOT OF THE WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS, AS YOU WILL LOSE PHONE SERVICE ON YOUR WAY. PLEASE TRUST OUR DIRECTIONS, VS. ENTERING IT INTO YOUR GPS AND CROSSING YOUR FINGERS. YOU WILL GET LOST** To facilitate a smooth check-in process, we ask that you send us a text message an hour before your arrival, as cell phone reception is unreliable in our remote location. If you have any doubts or questions on how to get here, reach out to us BEFORE you head toward the site, and well before 7pm, as we will close all campsites at 7pm. Originally from the city, we now find ourselves fully immersed in life at The Farm, situated amidst gently rolling land in the Southwestern Grasslands of South Dakota. Your campsite is located about 15 minutes in from SD44, and approximately 45 minutes from Rapid City. You will be driving on a dirt/gravel road to get to us. You may want to put your vehicle in 4wd to get to your site, given the uneven terrain on the dirt road that takes you to your campground. The location is perfect for a quick overnighter, if you're visiting South Dakota's nearby nature sights and parks. Our family lives on the property, and we're happy to help answer any questions or concerns. This is a working farm, and you may see us on the pasture, upgrading and maintaining. We're glad to share with you and happy to have you "ghost us" as we work, if that's an interest of yours. Be sure to flag us down if you need anything. ABOUT OUR CAMPGROUND Pitch your tent, park your RV/camper, bus or other ride on our pasture and enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the rolling hills of Hermosa, the Black Hills, Badlands and unobstructed sunrise and sunset views. Children and leashed pets are welcome, at no additional cost. To give you a glimpse into the experience that awaits, take a moment to watch a video review of our MORLA site by Precious Kofi, a former guest who visited during the Spring of 2023, when we resided and hosted in Colorado. You can find the video here: {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvyzVA3Tzjk&t=1157s}. Your site is equipped with a table for you to enjoy your meals outdoors, and a nearby water spigot is available for your convenience. Your campsite is located in the wild and rustic, sometimes windy, plains of South Dakota, and may not be for everyone. We can experience extreme weather in all seasons. When you stay with us, you will get the experience of camping in the middle of nowhere, South Dakota - wild, raw, sometimes windy and rugged. It's an amazing experience to be had - with stunning views and a feeling of freedom that's hard to find in more urbanized locations. While here, you may encounter badgers, coyotes, deer, pronghorn, wild turkeys, frogs/toads, turtles, voles, bull snakes, rattlers, owls, creepy-crawlers - and you may experience annoying mosquitos and flies during the hotter summer season. We have a friendly barn cat, HERO, that may visit you as well. Please don't feed the beasts or approach any wildlife! Would you like to sample our homemade booch (kombucha)? Just ask! As stewards of the land, we're delighted to share this natural sanctuary with you to enjoy. Stargazing on the site can't be beat, and you may even catch a UFO or alien... if you're aligned! We've had guests liken their experience here to visiting another planet. We attribute this to the unique ambiance of our home and location. Photo enthusiasts will enjoy some amazing and breathtaking photo-worthy scenery and views. Please come prepared with blankets and sleeping bags, as nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing. Be prepared for travel and camping in sometimes extreme winter cold. Be sure to check out the local forecast before traveling. Of course, we will be happy to refund any weather-related cancellations. If you'd like to start your day with a complimentary cup of instant coffee or herbal tea delivered to your site between 5-7 am, simply let us know your preference the night before. We offer a brown-bag style breakfast/snack for $5, as well. Your choice of a couple farm-fresh hard-boiled eggs with Meusli, yogurt with Meusli - or an English muffin/butter, with mixed nuts. If you have Food Forest/Permaculture, farming, gardening or Back to Eden experience and are interested in contributing to our farm - we welcome your discussions and ideas, with short or long term arrangements. We're in the process of building a small country store on the property. Reach out If you'd like to purchase handcrafted items for yourself, or as gifts. We make shower steamers, homemade tinctures, balms, herbal oils and jewelry/gift items made from our kombucha scobies - along with organic items we make from items we collect around the farm. We also offer for purchase items such as 16 oz. propane, children's books written by Susi (featuring our adorable Bull Terrier, Makai), half dozen farm-fresh eggs (if the chicks are in the mood), MayaMoon Ceremonial Cacao, extra basic sleeping bag, and a Duraflame firelog. Hipcamp messages, email, and texts are the best way to reach us, as cellular reception is limited. Help us maintain the pristine beauty of our surroundings by tidying your campsite and removing all trash before departure. "Leave no Trace" campers, please. ABOUT THE AREA Local amenities, including mini grocery stores and gas stations, can be found in the town of Hermosa, located about 35 minutes away. For a wider range of options and services, Rapid City is located about 45 minutes from your campsite. Check out the property photos for some 'things to do nearby' suggestions. **In summary, once again: **Before your arrival, we ask that you familiarize yourself with the rules outlined upon booking. Also, please ensure you arrive NO LATER THAN 7PM to secure your reservation.** **PLEASE TAKE A SCREENSHOT OF THE WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS, AS YOU WILL LOSE PHONE SERVICE ON YOUR WAY. PLEASE TRUST OUR DIRECTIONS, VS. ENTERING IT INTO YOUR GPS AND CROSSING YOUR FINGERS. YOU WILL GET LOST** To facilitate a smooth check-in process, we ask that you send us a text message an hour before your arrival, as cell phone reception is unreliable in our remote location. If you have any doubts or questions on how to get here, reach out to us BEFORE you head toward the site, and well before 7pm, as we will close all campsites at 7pm. We look forward to connecting!

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B gravel pit.

1 site · RV, Tent1500 acres · Wall, SD

This ranch is the home of children's book author Cowgirl Annie. This site is in an abandoned gravel pit so you will be parking on a sandy gravel base. There are cottonwood stands close by that you can hike through to the river. A wide variety of wildlife live in this area, so no telling what you may see or hear. You will have a big area to yourselves. I have tried to plan areas so you won't be disturbed by other campers. Wall Drug and the Badlands National Park are about a twenty-minute drive.

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(3)

Battle Creek Camping Resort

8 sites · Lodging40 acres · Hermosa, SD

Located outside of Hermosa, South Dakota, Battle Creek Camping Resort is open year-round. We provide fully stocked unique camping options with Domes and glamping tents to pick from. Currently, all of our RV sites are boondocks option only, while under construction. Pull-through and backup sites are 100 ft pads. We have fun and unique bathhouses with full showers and restrooms. *PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS NO WIFI SERVICE AVAILABLE* The Camping Resort Nestled on 80 acres in the Hermosa Foot Hills, Battle Creek Camping Resort provides a serene experience surrounded by wildlife and minutes to the Black Hills. Check-In: Check-in time is 4:00-8:00 pm MST. *Please call if planning to arrive later than 9 pm MST. Quiet hours are from 9 pm-7 am MST every day. Check Out: Please do not leave us, but if you must go, please check out by 11:00 am MST. Amenities include: - Locally Owned Restaurants Nearby - Bike Trails All Throughout the Black Hills - Clean heated Restrooms - Hot Showers

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Bunkhouse Campground

3 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Kadoka, SD

This is just a little triangle of land on the edge of a small town with three full camper hookups. It is a convenient semiprivate location on your way to your destination. We are located “where the Badlands Begin” 20 minutes from the Badlands National Park. We are a tiny spot, 3 campers max, most likely just one possibly two campers, with a few trees, a couple pf picnic tables and a firepit. Kadoka is a safe, quiet, small ranching community. There is a small grocery store on main st. It is open Mon thru Sat from 9 to 6. Main street is also home to the post office, a laundromat and a flower shop. The city bar with on and off sale options is also located on main street. There is a subway and cafe ( the Sunset Grille) both located on the hwy 73 entrance to town. Kadoka has a city park with a swimming pool, covered picnic area and children's playground . The pool is open weekdays June and July. One last thing, Kadoka is a small town with volunteer fire and rescue teams. If there is a fire or car wreck, the siren will go off and continue until the volunteers arrive. It will stop, and you don’t need to do anything. It’s one of those things you get used to when you live here, but is a bit startling if you are not accustomed to it.

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(4)

Home Ranch LLC

1 site · RV1500 acres · Wasta, SD

This working ranch is the home of Children's book author Cowgirl Annie. It covers over 1500 acres where depending on the time of the year you can see cattle, horses, a variety of wildlife (deer, raccoons, beaver, eagles, owls, meadowlarks, ducks, geese, coyotes, snakes, and bugs.) You can fish, hike to the river, hills, or through cottonwood trees. The Badlands National Park and Wall Drug are about a 15 minute drive. Camping spots are within 3 miles of Interstate 90 and easily accessed. The black hills are aboout 1.5 hours drive. You can sit back and relax away from the crowds here on the ranch. Visitors in April and May can see the newborn calves before they are moved to summer pasture. Enjoy stargazing, listening to the frogs and coyotes. the sunsets, and sunrises are often spectacular. The smell of fresh cut hay will make you want to stay forever. Cowgirl Annie may even have time to visit with you about ranch life. There is a fire ban on the ranch. No pets are allowed. All campers must be self-contained units as I have no hook-ups or dump stations.

The best camping near Badlands National Park guide

Overview

About

On the edge of South Dakota’s Black Hills region, Badlands National Park’s unique terrain is otherworldly. While many visitors opt to drive through the park on the Badlands Loop Road, this gives you a mere taste of the park. If you opt for a camping experience instead, you’ll enjoy round-the-clock views of the badlands as the appearance of the craggy eroded buttes changes with the sunlight. Watch for roadside bighorn sheep and prairie dogs. After dark, the view changes to the dark skies above, as the park is perfect for stargazing. Combine your adventures in the region with visits to Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, and the kitschy Wall Drug for an ultimate road trip.

Notable campgrounds

Best for RVs: Cedar Pass Campground offers 96 tent camping and RV sites with electric hookups. Flush toilets and covered picnic areas are available.
Best for off-grid adventures: Sage Creek Campground offers 22 free, first-come-first-serve campsites along Sage Creek Rim Road, an unpaved road with limited accessibility. Pit toilets are offered here.
Best for wilderness camping: Backcountry camping is allowed in the park with no permit required.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Badlands National Park camping is especially popular on weekends and holidays and during the summer peak season.
A concessionaire operates Cedar Pass Campground. Reservations may be made through the Cedar Pass Lodge website or by phone.
Sage Creek Campground only allows RV camping for pull-behind trailers shorter than 18 feet.
Campsites with hookups are not available in the off season, typically running from late October to early April. Dry camping is offered.

When to go

The Badlands experience changes with the seasons. Spring and fall offer pleasant conditions, though spring may get a slow start and winter snows arrive early due to the northern latitude. Summer brings warm temperatures and sunny skies, and shade is limited in the barren park. Bring sun protection, especially if you will be biking or hiking. Shaded picnic tables may be found near camping spots. During the winter, park visits slow down, giving you some solitude, but campers need to be prepared for freezing temperatures and frequent snow.

Know before you go

In Sage Creek Campground, generators and campfires are not allowed.
Sage Creek Campground does not have hookups or restrooms with running water. Potable water is available at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.
Cedar Pass Lodge also offers cabin rentals and rooms in the Badlands Inn.
While many hiking trails are available, open exploration is also allowed.