Operating Hours & Seasons

a long, short tan building with a filled parking lot and sign sits in front of large badlands buttes.
Stopping at a visitor center is an exciting activity for many visitors coming through the park.

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Park Hours

Badlands National Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Entrance fees are collected year round. In the winter or in extreme weather events, roads going through the Badlands may be closed. Check road conditions on your route before leaving for your trip. In the winter, roads can be slick and icy -- please use caution when driving.

 

 
a retro brown sign reading Ben Reifel Visitor Center sits in front of banded badlands buttes.
Many visitors to the North Unit enjoy the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, conveniently located on the Badlands Loop Road.

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At the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, visitors to Badlands National Park can get answers to their questions from rangers at the information desk. There, park staff can distribute maps and other park materials, provide directions and local area orientation, hand out Junior Ranger booklets, and answer any questions you might have about earth science, wildlife, history, and more. In this building, visitors may also explore museum exhibits, visit a working Fossil Preparation Lab, or stop by the park bookstore.

 

 
a squat tan building with a brown porch sits beyond green grass and a tree.
The White River Visitor Center is an excellent stop for anyone visiting the South Unit of the Badlands.

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The White River Visitor Center in the South Unit is a great place to visit if you want to explore the cultural significance of Badlands National Park. You can speak with rangers about the Badlands in Lakota heritage, learn about the history of the area through museum exhibits, pick up maps, and get your passport stamped. The visitor center is located on the Pine Ridge Reservation and offers a staffed information desk, exhibits, restrooms, picnic tables, and water. Impromptu talks are offered daily throughout the summer season.

Last updated: October 15, 2020

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

25216 Ben Reifel Road
Interior, SD 57750

Phone:

605 433-5361

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