Badlands National Park
RV & Tent Camping

Camp Near Badlands National Park in the Southwest corner of South Dakota

Badlands National Park <br />RV & Tent Camping

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Visiting Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park in South Dakota has a mixture of rugged geologic formations and preserved fossils and mixed-grass prairies. With its unique features, other-worldly appearance, geologic history and fossil beds, there is much to explore and appreciate here so you may want to camp nearby for a few days! Whether you prefer to stay in an RV, tent or cabin accommodation, there are several KOA campgrounds in the Badlands National Park area that would be a great base camp to explore from. Whether you are coming from the east or west to visit the Badlands, there are nearby KOA locations on your way as well as a campground just four miles from the park's Interior Entrance.

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Badlands National Park

Experiencing Badlands National Park, in the Southwest corner of South Dakota

There are many things to do in Badlands National Park, which is divided into two units. You can take the Highway 240 Badlands Loop Road to explore the North Unit area of the park, where most of the pinnacles and spires are. Stop at the overlooks along the paved loop road to enjoy scenic views of the pinnacles and buttes. The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is a must-do stop on the east side of the park that offers information, ranger programs, exhibits, and a theater showing a park film. This visitor center also houses the fascinating Paleontology Lab, where visitors can observe paleontologists as they prepare fossils for display. Explore the easy and accessible Door Trail and Window Trail for views of the Badlands Wall. The Fossil Exhibit Trail is another easy, accessible boardwalk trail for viewing fossil exhibits. There are other hiking trails of moderate to strenuous difficulty in the North Unit of the park, including the Notch Trail, Castle Trail, Cliff Shelf, Medicine Root Loop and Saddle Pass.

Near the North Unit's Pinnacles Entrance into the park, you can take the gravel Sage Creek Ridge Road. This road encircles the Badlands Wilderness Area, where there is more wildlife. Stop to visit Roberts Prairie Dog Town to see the large and very entertaining prairie dog colony in action. You can often see the bison herd during your travels along this road. The Sage Creek Basin Overlook is along the road as well as the primitive Sage Creek Campground.

There are lots of attractions to visit near the park as well. Just north of the park is Wall, South Dakota, where you can visit the well-known Wall Drug Store tourist attraction. Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is close to the northeast entrance of the park. Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore National Monument and Rapid City, South Dakota, are all just a short drive away from Badlands National Park so you may want to plan to stay for several days in the area while enjoying the amenities and conveniences available at a nearby KOA campground.

Things to Do and See in Badlands National ParK

Badlands Loop Road

Badlands Wall

Ben Reifel Visitor Center

Fossil Preparation Lab

Hiking Trails

Pinnacles Overlook

Roberts Prairie Dog Town

White River Visitor Center

Yellow Mounds Ooverlook

Fun Facts About Badlands National Park

Keep an eye out for scenery from the Badlands National Park Area featured in these films:

Armageddon

Dances with Wolves

Head of State (Mount Rushmore)

How the West was Won (Custer State Park)

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

Starship Troopers

Nearby Attractions to Badlands National Park

Black Hills National Forest

Custer State Park

Deadwood, South Dakota

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

National Grasslands Visitor Center

Sturgis, South Dakota

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Wall Drug Store

Wind Cave National Park

Blog Articles of interest for Badlands National Park Area

10 Under-The-Radar National Monuments to Visit

5 Best National Parks for RVers

9 National Parks with the Best Scenic Drives

How to Have the Ultimate Upper Midwest Road Trip

KOA Campgrounds Near Badlands National Park

With over 500 KOA campgrounds in the United States and Canada, you'll find 2 KOA campgrounds near Badlands National Park.

Badlands / White River KOA

20720 SD Highway 44, Interior, South Dakota

Camping near Badlands National Park At The Badlands / White River KOA

Welcome to the Oasis of the Badlands! We are opening on time this season. New WiFi: get password from campground store.

Covid Virus information:

If you prefer "curbside check in", call us on the phone 605-433-5337 from Interior or from the driveway. (Coverage isn't so good here, so we suggest you do this in Interior. We will get your name, and rig description, and Guest services will give you a packet, and lead you to your site when you arrive at the campground.
The store is presently open to guests. We have all the usual amenities, including RV supplies, groceries and gifts. Please use hand saintizer in the store before touching merchandise.
The cookshack is not open, due to staffing pressure from coronavirus.
We request guests use facilities in their RVs, if available to minimize traffic on the bath houses, Thank you for your consideration.
Our swimming pool is not open at this time. We are awaiting proper procedure notification before we will open it.

This remote and beautiful KOA is just 4 miles from Badlands National Park. The rugged beauty of the Badlands includes a rich fossil bed and the nation's largest protected mixed-grass prairie, where you'll find bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, mule deer and prairie dogs. Some of the darkest skies in North America await stargazers, and opportunities for photography and hiking abound. The campground is in a quiet rural setting with hundreds of large shade trees beside the White River.

If you need to cancel, please call the campground directly. 605-433-5337. We need at least 48 hours notice to issue you a refund, additional time as noted here: RVs/tent sites 48 hours during regular season, 72 hours for holiday periods and the Sturgis Rally. 1 week for accommodation refund during regular season, 2 weeks for holiday periods and the Sturgis Rally. Email notification is not acceptable, you must call the campground. There is a $10 cancellation fee for any cancelled reservations.
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Max pull thru: 120 feet. Your hosts: Bob & Karen Brown.-

Badlands / White River KOA

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Open May 1 - Oct 11 More Details

RV Camping Sites

Tent Camping Sites

Lodging Camping Sites

Unique Camping Sites

The camp was great, but we had very loud neighbors with a giant tv on the outside of their camper. I think loud people with loud children should have their own area. The hosts were very welcoming and accommodating. They moved us to a more shaded site upon our request. They were, however, a little lax on the mask usage inside of the building, although they did have a plastic screen up.
October, 22, 2020, RV Camper

it was real close to the park and everyone there was real nice.
October, 21, 2020, RV Camper

Spent four nights here while we visited Badlands NP. The campground was quiet, friendly staff, clean bathrooms. Will stay again.
October, 13, 2020, Tent Camper

Nice location, close to the Badlands and along the White River. Lots of trees, spacious sites, very friendly staff.
October, 13, 2020, RV Camper

Friendly staff and love the pet play area!
October, 13, 2020, RV Camper

Camping at Badlands / White River KOA

This new pool was installed in the spring of 2017. It stays warm all season with its dark color and night time cover. Open 10 AM until 1/2 hour before store closes.

We know what you want when you climb off the saddle. Come in to the office and we will get you all set up!

Our pet park is a big hit with our 4 legged kampers

The best part about bird watching on the White River: your campsite is just a short walk away.

Our cottages, also called Deluxe cabins, have indoor plumbing. No need to run to the bath house in the dark! Some of our deluxe cabins sleep as many as six people. Linen packages can be rented: $20/two people, $10/one person.

Yet another end to a perfect day in the badlands

Make your own memories in an authentic tipi. Beautifully furnished with solar powered LED lighting, futons and more.

Map
Directions
Amenities
Hours
Contact

* The directions provided are estimated, please confirm directions to and from the KOA to your destination.

Badlands / White River KOA Amenities

50 Max Amp
120' Max Length
Wi-Fi
Cable TV
Pool (5/24 - 9/8)
Snack Bar
Propane
Mini Golf
Firewood
Pavilion
Bike Rentals
Dog Park

Unique Amenities

Hours / Operation

Open May 1 - October 11

All Sites

Check-in: 1:00 pm, Check-out: 11:00 am

Contact

Reserve: 800-562-3897

Info: 605-433-5337

Email: koa@gwtc.net

20720 SD Highway 44

Interior, SD 57750

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Rapid City / Black Hills KOA

3010 East Highway 44, Rapid City, South Dakota

Camping near Badlands National Park At The Rapid City / Black Hills KOA

With easy access from I-90, this KOA is in Rapid City, the gateway community to the Black Hills. Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park and Deadwood are within an hour's drive. Campers enjoy the convenience of heading into the Black Hills to see the sights while staying here as their destination or as a stop on the way to Yellowstone National Park. Relax in a Camping Cabin, Deluxe Cabin or big-rig Pull-Thru RV Site. Enjoy amenities and activities such as s'mores parties and watermelon feeds (in season). Fill up on all-you-can-eat pancakes before heading to the hills to bike, hike or sightsee. At KOA, sign up for a guided tour or rent a car. You're close to five national parks! Have fun in the large heated pool and hot tub. Two playgrounds and a giant checkers/chess set provide plenty of family fun. Fido will love the Kamp K9 dog park. Pool: Memorial Weekend - Labor Day Weekend. Max pull thru: 100 feet. Your hosts: Recreational Adventures Co.

Rapid City / Black Hills KOA

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Open Apr 15 - Oct 15 More Details

Great place and even better staff.
October, 27, 2020, RV Camper

Third time here great stay as usual
October, 25, 2020, RV Camper

Wonderful group of Workampers making it Great
October, 21, 2020, RV Camper

Nicely laid out campground! Restrooms/showers were immaculate. Owner was very courteous in allowing my family to visit for dinner. Definitely recommend!
October, 21, 2020, RV Camper

We had a wonderful one month stay at the Rapid City KOA. The laundromat and rest rooms were super clean and well maintained. This KOA is close to all activities and hiking trails in the southern Black Hills, shopping and restaurants are very close by as well. Even though the KOA was full every night it was quiet. Everyone seemed to be enjoying their camping experience.
October, 20, 2020, RV Camper