South Dakota · National Park
Best time to visit Badlands
Checked Oct 26, 2026 · Source: NPS + NOAA
For Badlands, the mild and quiet months are March, April and October: average highs of 50 to 85°F at the nearest NOAA station and visits at or below the yearly monthly average. July is busiest, with 20% of 2025 recreation visits. January was quietest, with an average high of 37°F.
Crowd index by month
Each bar is that month’s NPS recreation visits compared with the average month of 2025 (100 = average). July scored 245; January scored 10.
Source: NPS IRMA Stats, recreation visitors, 2025, pulled Oct 26, 2026. Index = month ÷ average month × 100.
Weather normals by month
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip in | Crowd index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36.7 | 10.3 | 0.52 | 10 |
| February | 40.0 | 12.6 | 0.74 | 11 |
| March | 50.6 | 21.4 | 1.33 | 28 |
| April | 59.3 | 29.8 | 2.40 | 49 |
| May | 69.0 | 41.5 | 3.17 | 133 |
| June | 79.6 | 51.9 | 3.06 | 234 |
| July | 88.1 | 58.1 | 2.15 | 245 |
| August | 87.5 | 55.2 | 2.02 | 226 |
| September | 78.2 | 44.6 | 1.48 | 151 |
| October | 63.2 | 30.4 | 1.74 | 79 |
| November | 49.0 | 20.2 | 0.80 | 20 |
| December | 38.7 | 11.2 | 0.48 | 14 |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (monthly), station USC00396736. The station may sit at a different elevation than the places you visit, so expect cooler temperatures higher up.
Mild and quiet months
- March
- April
- October
Our rule, applied to the data above: average high between 50 and 85°F, and recreation visits no higher than the average month. It is arithmetic, not a forecast. Roads, trails and facilities can still be closed in these months.
Closures and seasonal dates
| Campground | Closed from | Until |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Pass Campground | Oct 15, 2026 | Apr 1, 2027 |
Source: NPS API campgrounds and alerts, checked Oct 26, 2026.
Hours
The park is open to visitors all year with the exception of weather closures.
Source: NPS API operating hours, checked Oct 26, 2026.
More on Badlands: tour or DIY overview. TourOrDIY is independent and not affiliated with the National Park Service. See the accuracy disclaimer and our method.