Cedar Pass Campground

Badlands National Park

Surrounded by the vast, open prairie and featuring expansive views of the Badlands, Cedar Pass Campground is a great basecamp 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.

Cedar Pass Campground offers both tent camping and RV camping, and each are equipped with a shaded picnic table. There are electric and non-electric RV sites; two are ADA accessible sites, #12 and #20. RV sites with electric have 30-amp and 50-amp hook-ups; no water or sewer available in the campsites, though a septic dump is nearby. Campground has pay showers, flush toilets and water.

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. If you don't feel like cooking, Cedar Pass Lodge and Restaurant is within walking distance to grab a hot meal or for picking up supplies, groceries or souvenirs at the gift shop.

A 14-night limit applies during the summer. Group sites available with advanced reservations.

Need to Know

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 pm. Check-out is 11:00 am.

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.

A dump station is available adjacent to the campground for a small fee.

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

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 these formations makes for stunning sunrises and sunsets. And with little to no light pollution in this region, those sunsets are usually followed by incredibly dark skies that are perfect for stargazing.

Nearby Attractions

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

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 Ampitheater 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.

Contact Information

Mailing

20681 South Dakota Highway 240 Interior SD 57750

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 605-433-5460

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Sioux Falls:

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 to Cedar Pass Lodge, making a slight left onto Hwy 377. Cedar Pass Campground will be on your left.

From Rapid City:

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. Turn right on Hwy 377. Cedar Pass Campground will be on your left.

From Rapid City: (alternate route)

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 to Cedar Pass Lodge, making a slight left onto Hwy 377. Cedar Pass Campground will be on your left.

Scenic Highway 44:

Travel southeast on Hwy 44 to the town of Interior and continue northeast on Hwy 377 two miles to Cedar Pass Lodge

Available Campsites

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