Badlands National Park Activity and Calendar Guide
Welcome to the Badlands National Park Activity and Calendar Guide.
Below you will find information about visitor centers, ranger led programs, activities for children, and special events that occur on certain dates or throughout the year.
Below you will find information about visitor centers, ranger led programs, activities for children, and special events that occur on certain dates or throughout the year.
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Visitor Centers
| Dates Opened | Hours |
| All Year | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily - Mid Apr thru Beg Jun and Beg Sep thru Mid Oct 7:00 am to 8:00 pm daily - Beginning Jun thru Beginning Aug 8:00 am to 6:00 pm daily - Beginning Aug thru Beginning Sep 8:00 am to 4:30 pm daily - Mid Oct until further notice |
| Location | Phone Number | Available Facilities |
| Cedar Pass, just inside the park entrance | 605-433-5361 | The visitor center houses a museum and exhibits and park headquarters. A short orientation program is shown in the auditorium. Information is available and books, maps, restrooms, water, phones, etc. |
| Dates Opened | Hours | Location | Available Facilities |
| Mid May to Beginning Sep | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily | Southwest area of the park on state road 27 | Information, Lakota exhibits, video program, restrooms, water |
Badlands National Park is open year round. But the majority of park visitors come June through September, lowest visitation is in November through March. The park is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Entrance fees are collected April through November. You can enjoy sightseeing by personal car, hiking, biking (established roads only), picnicking and camping.
Special Events and Programs
Curricula-based program in park activities can be scheduled for students 1 through 12, from the beginning of October through the middle of May. Contact an education specialist at: 605-433-5242.
Junior Ranger Program
As in other National Parks, Badlands has a Junior Ranger Program for youth ages six through eleven. The Junior Ranger Program really helps the youth get the most out of their visit to a National Park and to become involved as an official Junior Ranger and earn their patch.
Ranger Activities
Ranger / Naturalist programs include scheduled talks, walks and evening campfire programs by rangers. These programs are scheduled mid-June through Labor Day. Check park newspaper for schedule.
Check the activities board at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center or campground bulletin boards for a schedule of naturalist programs and expanded opportunities for education on the park.
| Program | Location | Time | Description |
| Evolving Prairie Walk | Ben Reifel Visitor Center |
7:30 am and 6:30 pm | 1.5 hour, This one mile stroll will introduce visitors to three critical aspects to the Badlands: Paleontology, Prairie and People. Walk sites vary and may require vehicle travel. Wear comfortable walking shoes and a hat. Bring water and sunglasses |
| Fossil Talk | Fossil Exhibit Trail | 10:30 am and 1:30 pm | 20 minutes, Meet a naturalist for a 20 minute discussion on the geologic past and fossil resources of the White River Badlands. Why are there no dinosaurs here? What is an Oreodont? Wheelchair accessible. |
| Evening Programs | Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater |
9:00 pm - 8:30 pm | Starting the beginning of Aug, 45 minutes, Join a park ranger, intern or researcher for a 45 minute in depth look at a topic relating to Badlands National Park. Topics will include Paleontology, Geology, Prairie, Human History, Wilderness and Park Management. Wheelchair accessible |
Other programs will be offered on a staff available basis. The staff at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center will have the exact time and locations for these and additional special programs.
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