College Field Study

Traveling to Badlands National Park can be a wonderful opportunity to immerse your educational group in the wonders of the outdoors. Colleges and universities are encouraged to study in the park to augment their curriculum.

A 14-page college level Geology Field Guide (PDF) is available. This guide includes information on camping, exploring the park to support geology studies, and a bibliography. It does not include paleontological or biological information.

Download the Geology Field Camp Guide (PDF format)

Educational and Scientific Entrance Fee Waivers

If you are an accredited school or educational organization bringing a field study group to Badlands National Park, you can request an educational fee waiver for park entrance fees.

To apply for an entrance fee waiver, please submit the following:

---An articulate statement of your educational and/or scientific objectives related to the use of the park's resources;

---A copy of the course curriculum, syllabus, or other documentation which provides educational credit hours for the participants;

---Current documentation of official recognition by a federal, state, or local government entity as an educational or scientific institution, or official documentation attesting to an educational tax exemption granted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or similar state tax authority;

--- Application for waiver of fees. Fee waiver application

Mail your request to:

Fee Program Management
Badlands National Park
25216 Ben Reifel Road
P.O. Box 6
Interior, South Dakota 57750

Or fax your request to:

(605) 433 - 5239

Specify the following information in your request:

the dates you will be visiting the park
the specific subject you will be studying
the number of vehicles
the number of students

We must receive your request at least two weeks prior to your departure from your home base. You will receive your fee waiver in the mail. This waiver must be presented at the entrance station upon your arrival to insure your group is not charged the entrance fee.

You may also reserve a group campsite by contacting:

Fee Program Management
Badlands National Park
25216 Ben Reifel Road
P.O. Box 6
Interior, South Dakota 57750
605-433-5361

Camping fees are not waived and are $25.00 per night (minimum), or $2.50 per person (10 person minimum).

Group campsites must be reserved in advance.