Overview

Surrounded by the vast, open prairie and featuring expansive views of the Badlands, Cedar Pass Campground is a great base camp from which to explore Badlands National Park. Featuring 96 sites, this seasonal campground is open from late March through mid-October, and is conveniently located within easy walking distance of Cedar Pass Lodge & Restaurant and the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.

Facilities

An evening program led by park rangers is held nightly at the Cedar Pass Amphitheater. This event runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, beginning each evening with a half-hour educational talk about the Badlands, covering a wide array of topics that change every evening. Once the educational part of the presentation finishes, the rangers begin a guided night sky viewing program. Interesting facts and features of our night sky will be explored and pointed out for you via laser, and telescopes are often provided to view star clusters, planets, and the Milky Way.

The Amphitheater parking lot is conveniently located at the entrance to Cedar Pass Campground, in easy walking distance for most campers! For evening program start times, please see the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, Cedar Pass Lodge, or the host kiosk at the campground entrance.

Natural Features

Cedar Pass Campground is surrounded by prairie grasslands and Badlands buttes, or geologic formations. These formations contain sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, claystone, limestone, volcanic ash, and shale. The natural beauty of this landscape makes for stunning sunrises and sunsets, while low population density and minimal light pollution creates a beautiful night sky most evenings.

Recreation

An evening program led by park rangers is held nightly at the Cedar Pass Amphitheater. This event runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, beginning each evening with a half-hour educational talk about the Badlands, covering a wide array of topics that change every evening. Once the educational part of the presentation finishes, the rangers begin a guided night sky viewing program. Interesting facts and features of our night sky will be explored and pointed out for you via laser, and telescopes are often provided to view star clusters, planets, and the Milky Way.

The Amphitheater parking lot is conveniently located at the entrance to Cedar Pass Campground, in easy walking distance for most campers! For evening program start times, please see the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, Cedar Pass Lodge, or the host kiosk at the campground entrance.

Nearby Attractions

• Ben Reifel Vistor Center
• Cedar Pass Lodge
• Minuteman National Historic Site
• Prairie Homestead 
• Wall Drug
• Mount Rushmore (1 hour, 45 mins)
• Custer State Park (1 hour, 45 mins)

Contact Info

Important Notices

• The campground entrance kiosk is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

  Quiet hours are from 10:00 pm - 6:00 am. Generators are not permitted to run during these hours.

  Check-in begins at 1:00 p.m. Check-out is 11:00 a.m. 

  RV sites allow for one RV (tow included) per site. 

  In an effort to maintain the prairie grassland, campfires are not permitted within Badlands National Park. However, you may use small, portable propane grills at your campsite for cooking.

  Cedar Pass Campground is pet-friendly. However, all pets must remain on leash at all times in Cedar Pass Campground and Badlands National Park.

  Wildlife activity is prevalent in the park. Please familiarize yourself with wildlife safety and proper food storage. Store all human and pet food in a closed hard-sided container or enclosed vehicle when not in use. Store or dispose of food scraps, cooking utensils, and garbage so that they are inaccessible to wildlife.

  A complimentary dump station is available in the Group Loop.

  Please note that Badlands National Park is prone to sudden heavy winds and storms. Prepare your campsite and secure your belongings accordingly.

Available Activities

• Evening Programs - Evening Programs
• Guided Interpretive Walks - Guided Interpretive Walks
• Interpretive Programs - Interpretive Programs
• Ranger Station - Ranger Station
• Star Gazing - Star Gazing
• Visitor Center - Visitor Center
• Picnicking - Picnicking
• Hiking - Hiking
• Camping - Camping
• Birding - Birding
• Backpacking - Backpacking

Directions

<p><strong>From Sioux Falls:</strong></p><p>Travel west on I-90 to exit 131. Turn south onto Hwy 240, the Badlands Loop Road and enter Badlands National Park at the Northeast entrance. Travel 8 miles (13 km) to Cedar Pass Lodge, making a slight left onto Hwy 377. Cedar Pass Campground will be on your left.</p><p><strong>From Rapid City:</strong></p><p>Travel east on I-90 to exit 110. From exit 110, turn south onto Hwy 240, the Badlands Loop Road and enter Badlands National Park at the Pinnacles entrance. Travel 30 miles (48 km). Turn right on Hwy 377. Cedar Pass Campground will be on your left.</p><p><strong>From Rapid City:  (alternate route)</strong></p><p>Travel east on I-90 to exit 131. Turn south onto Hwy 240, the Badlands Loop Road and enter Badlands National Park at the Northeast entrance. Travel 8 miles (13 km) to Cedar Pass Lodge, making a slight left onto Hwy 377. Cedar Pass Campground will be on your left. </p><p><strong>Scenic Highway 44:</strong></p><p>Travel southeast on Hwy 44 to the town of Interior and continue northeast on Hwy 377 two miles (3 km) to Cedar Pass Lodge</p>

Contact Information

Phone: 605-433-5460

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip