Description

Some of the most formidable landscapes in the United States also make for some of the greatest adventures. Characterized as a “bad land" by settlers for it’s barren agricultural land, Badlands National Park encompasses stark, pink-hued buttes rising mystically from the surrounding grassland, a diverse wildlife ecosystem, archeological wonders, and incredible hiking trails. Cedar Pass Campground is located near the visitor center, with easy access to trails and the loop road. The sunset over the bluffs is awesome here, but you’ll need to show up early (before noon) to claim a good spot.
Campsite area
Tent or RV sites
100 sites
Up to guests per site
Up to 6 vehicles
No wheelchair access
Essentials
Campfires allowed
Toilet available
Pets allowed
Amenities
Potable water available
Showers available
Picnic table available

Activities

Offered near the campground.

Biking
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Horseback riding
Climbing
Wildlife watching

Terrain

Natural features you'll find at Cedar Pass Campground.

Hot spring
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10 Reviews

750
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Hipcamper Rachel
Rachel A.
didn't provide a recommendation.
September 30th, 2021

What a beautiful spot! Highly recommend! Very exposed campground and sites are close together. The ground is super hard and impossible to get a tent stake into, so be aware of that. It was also incredibly windy the night we were there and I thought our tent wasn’t going to make it through the night. If it wasn’t for the wind it would have been an amazing sleep and the view when you wake up of the badlands is breathtaking! Absolutely gorgeous!

Hipcamper Julian
Julian B.
didn't provide a recommendation.
October 11th, 2019

We visited Cedar Pass Campground in October 2019. Highs were around ~60F and lows were around ~32F. Less than half of the campground filled.

Pretty much every single site in the campground has an amazing view of the Badlands formations. Each site has a picnic table and shade structure (No fire pits).

The bathrooms have flush toilets and hot water. There is also a shower at the campground.

Hipcamper Lisse
Lisse L.
recommends this listing.
October 9th, 2019

We camped here in early October. Temperatures were around 60 during the evening, but windy. Low of around 35 at night, and winds died down. There were several unclaimed campsites available at the end of the day.

Campground has great views, especially the sites near the entrance of the first loop. Great proximity to visitor center and scenic areas. All the sites are exposed, but each picnic table has a wooden shade structure. There were no fire rings and no camp fires allowed when we stayed. Bathrooms have flush toilets.

Hipcamper Rory
Rory M.
recommends this listing.
May 31st, 2019

Camped at the end of July. Great location to jump into the park. There is NOT much shade anywhere out here, so we aware it gets hot.

Hipcamper Isabeau
Isabeau D.
recommends this listing.
December 11th, 2018

Bug repellant!

Hipcamper Jennifer
Jennifer H.
didn't provide a recommendation.
August 28th, 2018

We had a great time at this campground! The sites were fairly close together, but had great shade structures over the picnic tables. Very close to the main visitor center and the park's established trails!

Hipcamper Asya
Asya S.
recommends this listing.
August 15th, 2017

The views towards the Badlands are amazing. Campsite #3 was awesome, highly recommend the very first few sites closest to the entrance as they have the least obstructed views without other campsites in your way.

Hipcamper Heather
Heather N.
recommends this listing.
July 12th, 2017

This campground offers flushable toilets and a beautiful landscape. Love the stars? You can see the milleay and hear coyotes in the distance. Close to the ranger station and multiple hiking trails.

Hipcamper Kate
Kate S.
didn't provide a recommendation.
August 28th, 2016

Wow, what a breathtaking spot! Campsites are close together and totally exposed, but have really nice sun shelters over the picnic tables (slatted wood though, so it won't keep out the rain). Definitely try and catch the sunset that lights up the badlands and the sunrise that comes up just behind them. Bathrooms and showers were clean, and there's a great dish sink outside the bathrooms. The smaller large vehicles loop only has a pit latrine but there were RV hookups in the main loop too. Campsites are close together so music and cigarette smoke both travel and people weren't necessarily too thoughtful of neighbors, but did seem to quiet down at a normal hour. Hiking the Medicine Root loop is highly recommended, look out for wildlife!

Park
Badlands National Park
State
South Dakota
Country
United States
Phone Number
(605) 433-5460
Directions
View on Google Maps
Official Website
View Website
Coordinates
43.744° N, 101.95° W
Unknown price
Tent / RV / Trailer - Group: 4 Sites
(Up to people per site)
Unknown price
Tent / RV / Trailer: 96 Sites
(Up to people per site)