Badlands National Park Statistics

In 2024, visitor spending at Badlands National Park amounted to $143 million.⁴

• In 2019, visitors to Badlands National Park generated $63.5 million in expenditure⁵. However, in 2020, visitor spending dropped by 5% to $60.5 million.²
• Badlands National Park recovered in 2021, with $88 million spent by tourists⁶.
• In 2022, tourist spending amounted to $74 million⁷, and in 2023 the estimate rose by 82% to $134.6 million.⁸ Most of that jump reflects a change in how NPS makes the estimate, not real growth: 2023 was the first year it used spending survey data collected at Badlands itself instead of a generic profile, and that switch alone raises the estimate by 73% at unchanged visitor numbers. Spending rose again in 2024, to $143 million.⁴

How much did tourists spend in Badlands National Park?

• Visitors to Badlands National Park spent more than $143 million in 2024⁴.

Badlands National Park Tourism Statistics 2020 and 2021

• In 2020, Badlands National Park visitor numbers fell to 916,932 due to the coronavirus pandemic.² This marked a 6% decrease from the 2019 figure of 970,998.⁵ In 2021, tourist visitation exceeded 2019’s figure with 1.22 million visits.⁶
• Tourist spending followed a similar trend. After 2019’s expenditure figure of $63.5 million⁵, tourist spending dropped to $60.5 million in 2020.² Recovery was evident in 2021 with visitor spending increasing to $88 million.⁶

• The park is recognized for having one of the world's richest fossil beds¹⁰, which includes fossils from the Oligocene epoch.¹¹ This aspect has garnered attention from both scientists and tourists alike.
• Badlands National Park ranked 26th as the most visited national park among U.S. national parks in 2025.¹²
• Read more about the U.S. National Park Ranking.

• The best time to visit Badlands National Park is in Spring (April to May): Mild temperatures (60°F-80°F), fewer crowds, active wildlife, but occasional rainstorms.
• Fall (September to October) is also a good choice with comfortable temperatures (60°F-70°F), fall colors and fewer visitors, ideal for outdoor activities and photography.

What were Badlands National Park’s peak tourist months in 2025?

Here are the top 5 most visited months in Badlands National Park for 2025, highlighting the seasonal attractions and reasons for the high number of visitors during each month:

• July: 232,859 visits¹, the busiest month, driven by summer vacations and optimal weather for outdoor activities.
• June: 221,824 visits¹, marking the start of peak summer travel as families begin vacations.
• August: 214,978 visits¹, continuing the high summer tourism season.
• September: 143,478 visits¹, maintaining strong visitation with pleasant early fall weather and fewer crowds.
• May: 125,814 visits¹, signaling the beginning of increased tourism as spring transitions into summer.

Badlands National Park recorded 48,375 overnight stays in 2025, and 38,209 of them, or about 79%, were nights spent camping.³

• Overnight stays are a small part of the picture next to the 1.14 million recreation visits the park recorded in 2025.³
• Cedar Pass Campground, run by the park's concessioner, accounted for 32,960 camping nights, more than four in five.³
• The other 10,166 overnight stays were in the lodge cabins at Cedar Pass.³

How do people camp at Badlands National Park?

Most people who camp at Badlands National Park stay at Cedar Pass Campground, the paid campground run by the park's concessioner. It accounted for 32,960 of the park's 38,209 camping nights in 2025.³ Far fewer campers pitch a tent at a park-run site, bring an RV or hike into the backcountry.

• Cedar Pass Campground: 32,960 overnight stays, in paid sites³ that can be booked ahead, some with electric hookups for RVs.¹⁹
• Tent camping: 2,942 overnight stays by campers sleeping in tents³ at the park's own free campground, Sage Creek, for a more traditional, outdoor camping experience.
• Backcountry camping: 1,466 overnight stays by campers who hike in³ and set up at least half a mile from any road or trail.¹⁹
• RV camping: 841 overnight stays in RVs at Sage Creek³, where vehicles longer than 18 feet are not allowed.¹⁹
• Lodge cabins: another 10,166 overnight stays were in the cabins at Cedar Pass Lodge³, for visitors who stay the night without camping.

Where can you camp at Badlands National Park?

Visitors can camp in two campgrounds or in the backcountry, and the park's only other place to stay is the cabins at Cedar Pass Lodge.¹⁹

• Cedar Pass Campground: a paid campground with 96 sites, some of them RV sites with electric hookups. Sites can be reserved on Recreation.gov.¹⁹
• Sage Creek Campground: a free, first-come, first-served campground with 22 sites. RVs, motorhomes and trailers longer than 18 feet are not allowed.¹⁹
• Backcountry camping: allowed anywhere in the park, as long as the camp is at least 0.5 miles from a road or trail and cannot be seen from either.¹⁹

• Size: Approximately 244,000 acres (381 square miles).²⁰
• Location: East of the Black Hills, 75 miles east of Rapid City, South Dakota.¹⁶
• Badlands Peak: Eroded buttes and pinnacles formed through erosion and sedimentation.
• Rock Layers: Sedimentary rock deposits, including sandstone, claystone, and shale with distinct banding.
• Highest Point: Red Shirt Table at 3,340 feet (1,020 meters) elevation.¹¹
• Geography: Sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires surrounded by a mixed-grass prairie ecosystem.²⁰
• Mixed Grass Prairie: Largest intact mixed-grass prairie in the U.S.¹¹
• Wildlife: Includes bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, coyotes, jackrabbits, and black-footed ferrets.
• Prairie Dogs: Commonly seen in the grasslands.

When visiting Badlands National Park, it's essential to be mindful of safety precautions due to the park's remote location and harsh conditions. Follow these guidelines:

• Plan Ahead: Always have a plan before visiting. Inform someone of your route and return time. Familiarize yourself with the park layout and hazards, and carry a fully charged phone.
• Stay Hydrated: Bring at least one gallon (4 liters) of water per person daily, especially in warmer months, to avoid dehydration.
• Dress Properly: Wear layered clothing for changing weather and sturdy, closed-toe shoes with ankle support for rugged terrain.
• Stay on Trails: Stick to designated trails, especially if you're new. Only venture off-trail if experienced and prepared.
• Wildlife Safety: Keep a safe distance—at least 100 feet (30 meters) from large animals like bison and sheep. Watch out for rattlesnakes in shaded or grassy areas.
• Monitor Weather: Watch for sudden weather changes. Avoid hiking during thunderstorms due to lightning risks, and be cautious of high winds.
• Sun Protection: Use sunscreen (SPF 15+), wear sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat to protect from intense sun.
• Emergency Contacts: In an emergency, call 911, as some calls may go through even with weak signals.
• Know Your Limits: The park's elevation (around 3,000 feet) can affect visitors from lower altitudes. Pace yourself and monitor how you feel.
• Watch Your Step: Wear sturdy boots to avoid ankle injuries on uneven terrain.
• Avoid Climbing Buttes: Climbing geological formations can be dangerous and contribute to erosion.