South Dakota · National Park

Where to stay at Badlands

Checked Oct 26, 2026 · Source: NPS + NOAA

The NPS lists 2 campgrounds with 118 sites at Badlands (checked Oct 26, 2026). Its API has no hotel or lodge data, so check the park page for in-park lodging. July is the busiest month, so book earliest for it. Average overnight lows fall to 10°F in the coldest month.

Run the math for Badlands

Campgrounds the NPS lists

2 campgrounds, 118 sites in total (checked Oct 26, 2026)
Campground	Sites	Reservable	First-come	Listed fee	Closed
Cedar Pass Campground	96	96	0	$37 tent; $37 rv sites (nonelectric)	Oct 15, 2026 to Apr 1, 2027
Sage Creek Campground	22	0	0	Not listed	None listed

Source: NPS API campgrounds, checked Oct 26, 2026. First-come and reservable tags can lag the park’s own page; confirm there.

Hotels and lodges. The NPS API we use does not include in-park lodges or nearby hotels, so we list none and print no room prices. Use the park page for official lodging links.

Booking pressure by month

Crowd index from NPS recreation visits, 2025 (100 = average month). Higher bars mean more demand for beds and sites. July scored 245.

Source: NPS IRMA Stats, 2025, pulled Oct 26, 2026.

Overnight lows

NOAA 1991–2020 average overnight low (°F), PORCUPINE 11 N station, 33 km away
Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
10	13	21	30	42	52	58	55	45	30	20	11

Average lows reach freezing (32°F or below) in January, February, March, April, October, November and December. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (monthly). Higher campgrounds run colder.

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.