Driving the Badlands Loop through Badlands National Park – South Dakota

Sometimes you just don’t have time for a hike – or maybe you just don’t want to hike, which is totally fine. Just going for a drive through a National Park – like Badlands National Park – and stopping at the viewpoints can give you a great overview of what the park is all about!

That’s what I did when I drove through Badlands National Park – I was traveling with my dog so I couldn’t stop and hike, as dogs are not allowed on the trails here. So we just drove the Badlands Scenic Loop, stopping at the pullouts along the way and enjoying a nice afternoon in the park.

In this road trip guide to Badlands National Park, I’ll give you information on what to expect when driving the Badlands Scenic Loop, how long you need, and the best stops along the way. Let’s get going!

Badlands National Park – Quick Overview

• Cost: $30 per vehicle or you can enter with the America the Beautiful National Park pass.
• Badlands Loop Road is also known as SD-240
• The loop road is 31 miles long
• Driving the Badlands Loop Road is a great way to see most of the North Unit of the park, which is the ‘main’ area of the park. The South Unit doesn’t see as many visitors and has few amenities.
• No reservations are needed to drive the loop road
• This will take you about 1-2 hours to complete, depending on how many stops you make.
• The majority of the overlooks are wheelchair/stroller accessible.
• Thunderstorms are extremely common in the afternoon during summer months. Every time I’m here, like clockwork, there is always a thunderstorm.

When to drive the Badlands Scenic Loop & when to visit Badlands National Park

The scenic loop road is open year-round, though in the winter, it may occasionally close for snow and ice. I’ve visited the Badlands during summer several times, as well as in late October. My summer visits have always been enjoyable – albeit it can get very hot here, as there is no shade – and you have to watch out for those pesky afternoon thunderstorms that seem to roll in every day. My late fall visit was much less enjoyable – it was extremely windy and cold – even getting out of the car to look at an overlook was a challenge. But go earlier in the fall and you’ll likely experience much more pleasant weather – and fewer chances of those annoying thunderstorms. Spring would be a nice time too – though snow can occur here in April and early May! I’ve never visited in the winter, but just keep in mind that below-zero temperatures are common in this area as well as snow.

How long do I need to stay in Badlands National Park?

For many people, just a 1/2 day is plenty. A half day will give you enough time to hike the Notch Trail, drive the Badlands Loop Scenic Drive, and stop at all the pullouts your heart desires.

If you have a full day, you can do all of the above, maybe add on another hike or so, drive Sage Rim Road, and stay for a sunset.

Any more time than that would let you do more hikes, possibly head into the backcountry & see the South Unit. But for most people, two days might be overkill at Badlands National Park.

How to get to the Badlands Loop Scenic Drive

The map below shows the loop drive through Badlands National Park, if you were to start in Wall, South Dakota. So if you’re staying in Wall, this would be the route you would take.

However, many people are headed out West on I-90, like myself. As you drive along I-90 and get closer to the Badlands, you’ll see an exit sign for the National Park. You will exit I-90 and head South on SD-240 to enter the park, and then come out of the park in Wall, SD.

Best stops along the Badlands Scenic Loop Drive

I’m not going to point out every single overlook along this drive (there are about 12 of them) – that would be overkill (plus after you see so many of them, they all start to look the same) but I will point out the highlights.

Big Badlands Overlook

After paying your entrance fee or showing your park pass, the first overlook you’ll come up on is the Big Badlands Overlook. You’ll definitely want to stop here, as you’ll get your first view of the quinessential Badlands scenery.

According to the National Park Service, Big Badlands Overlook is one of the best spots for sunrise photography – I haven’t visited Badlands National Park for sunrise yet, so I can’t speak from personal experience, but I’d take their word for it.

Notch, Window, and Door Trailheads

Just down the road from the Big Badlands Overlook, you’ll find the trailheads for the most popular trails in the park. There are three trailheads here – Notch, Door, and Window. There is a gigantic parking lot and pit toilets here. I arrived around 4pm in late June and had no issues parking. I just wanted to walk around a little bit and check out there – I couldn’t hike as I had my dog in the car.

Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance yet to hike any of these trails on any of my trips here, but I hope to get to it one day! If you have the time for any of these short trails, definitely take the time to do them – they’re supposed to be the best hikes in Badlands National Park.

Cliff Shelf Overlook

This overlook requires a very short, but uphill walk on a trail. The view of the badlands is very nice from here.

Ben Reifel Visitor Center

The visitor center is located about 1/3 of the way through the Badlands Scenic Loop Drive, right after the Cliff Shelf overlook. Unfortunately, it was closed for the day when I arrived.

Panorama Point

The National Park Service identifies this viewpoint as a great place to watch the sunset in Badlands National Park

Yellow Mounds Overlook

At this point in your drive through Badlands National Park, these overlooks all start to look the same – you might be getting hungry, the kids are getting cranky – whatever the case may be, if, at this point, you’ve had enough, I do suggest that you make one more stop. The Yellow Mounds Overlook is my favorite viewpoint in the park and it’s much different than any of the other sites.

The hills are indeed yellow – that color comes from the fossil soils that have eroded over the years and been exposed to the sun.

If you have more time in Badlands National Park

There’s a few other things you might want to check out in the park if you have time.

Sage Rim Road

This is an unpaved road that takes you to the west side of the park, which is much more remote, giving you a better chance at seeing wildlife. Any passenger car can make this drive, as the dirt road is well-maintained. I haven’t had the chance to do this yet. You’ll find the turnoff for this drive near the Pinnacles Overlook. If you do the entire drive, you’ll eventually come upon the tiny town of Scenic, South Dakota.

Catch a sunrise / sunset

I’ve mentioned this above, but it’s worth saying again – the hills come alive at sunrise and sunset in Badlands National Park, so it’s definitely worth it, if you have the chance, to enjoy a sunrise or sunset (or both) while you’re here!

Where to stay when visiting Badlands National Park

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Badlands National Park has one lodge within the park – Cedar Pass Lodge, but it’s not an iconic lodge like, say, Many Glacier Lodge in Glacier National Park. They offer cabins and tent/rv sites. Badlands National Park also has plenty campsites available at a few different campgrounds around the park.

If you’re not into camping and need a hotel, Wall, South Dakota is the closest town and offers a decent selecting of hotels and motels, including chains. Otherwise, if you want to stay in a larger town with more amenities, you can stay in Rapid City, South Dakota (this is what I’ve done). Rapid City is also a good base to stay when exploring the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota.

Personally, I’ve stayed at the Fairfield Inn in Rapid City (it has a waterpark) and the Rapid City KOA.

Here is a list of the hotels & current prices in Wall, South Dakota, and here is a list of the hotels in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Driving Through Badlands National Park – Final Thoughts

This is a nice, scenic drive through the park that will only take you a few hours, unless you’re planning on hiking. The views in the park are beautiful – and I can imagine that they are even more beautiful at sunrise/sunset. However, Badlands National Park isn’t at the top of my favorite National Parks – it’s somewhere in the middle – but I do recommend that if you haven’t been here before and are in the area or passing through to points westward, to make time to at least do the scenic drive in the park. You won’t regret it!