Lodging At Badlands

There is only one in-park lodging choice at Badlands National Park, consisting of 23 cabins. 

Featured In The National Parks Traveler

I’d planned to visit Badlands National Park in South Dakota during the first week of April. Family responsibilities required a departure delay to much later in the month, which worked out well, regarding lodging. Had I left earlier, one of the hotels in the small town of Wall (pop. 700) would serve as my photographic “basecamp.” A new arrival date of April 21 instead of April 6 meant I could reserve a Cedar Pass Lodge cabin, operated by Aramark Destinations and the only in-park accommodation.

 

You can read the rest of this article about Cedar Pass Lodge and see photos of the cabins here.

Note: Since the article above was published, a new concessioner, ExplorUS under its subsidiary Explor Badlands, LLC, is now managing the Cedar Pass Lodge. To make reservations, click here.

Since there are only 23 cabins offered at the lodge, they fill up fast. Prices range from $269-$419, depending upon bed choice, whether or not there is a kitchenette, and month and day you make the reservation. If you want to stay at one of these cabins, it’s a good idea to make your reservation months ahead of your park visit by visiting the lodge's website or calling 855-765-0737. While Explor Badlands, LLC's website for Cedar Pass Lodge does not specifically indicate this, it appears that the lodge is now open year-round.

If no cabins are available, there are still options in Interior, South Dakota, about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the Cedar Pass Lodge, and Wall, South Dakota, 11 miles (17.7 km) north of the park’s Pinnacles Entrance.

Wall, South Dakota, offers several standard motel/hotel-type accommodations along with some cabins. Prices range from $123 - $212 depending upon the accommodation type. These prices are subject to change depending upon the season.

Northeast of Badlands’ Pinnacles Entrance is Rapid City, South Dakota, with a much larger selection of lodging options, if you don’t mind a daily 60-minute drive to the park (and 60 minutes back to Rapid City).