Itinerary · 2 days · South Dakota
2 Days in Badlands National Park: The Perfect Itinerary
Two days is enough to see the best of Badlands National Park without rushing. Here is the day-by-day plan, built around the park's highlights.
Best time to go: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Closest major airport: Rapid City (RAP), about 1 hour.
Day 1: The icons
- Morning: Drive the Badlands Loop Road. Start early to beat the crowds.
- Afternoon: Hike the Notch Trail ladder.
- Evening: Watch fossil work at the Fossil Preparation Lab.
Day 2: Go deeper
- Morning: Find bison in the Sage Creek area.
- Afternoon: See prairie dogs at Roberts Prairie Dog Town.
Pair it with Wind Cave, Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park in the Black Hills, about an hour away.
When to go
The best time to visit Badlands National Park is May–June and September–October.
Questions
How many days do you need in Badlands National Park?
Two full days covers the highlights: drive the badlands loop road and hike the notch trail ladder on day one, then find bison in the sage creek area on day two. Add a third day if you want a long backcountry hike or a slow morning.
When is the best time for this Badlands itinerary?
Go in May–Jun, Sep–Oct, when the park is rated at its best. October offers the best balance of good conditions and smaller crowds.
Can you do Badlands in one day?
You can see the highlights in one very full day by doing day one below and skipping day two, but you will miss find bison in the sage creek area. Two days is the sweet spot.