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The Wall is a part of Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. It is near The Badlands National Park and is dispersed camping. There is only one small developed recreation area on the Buffalo Gap National Grassland. The National Grassland Visitor Center is located in Wall, South Dakota. This site provides the history behind the system of the National Grasslands located across the West. While there is only one developed campground, there are plenty of open spaces to camp. Bring your horse, your bicycle or your OHV and spend some quiet time in the wide open spaces of the Grassland. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nebraska/recarea/?recid=30333
This area is divided into two areas located in southern South Dakota. One area is south and northeast of Hot Springs and the other is south and west of Wall. There are few developed recreation sites, but plenty of space for all kinds of recreational opportunities.
There is only one small developed recreation area on the Buffalo Gap National Grassland. The National Grassland Visitor Center is located in Wall, South Dakota. This site provides the history behind the system of the National Grasslands located across the West.
While there is only one developed campground, there are plenty of open spaces to camp. Bring your horse, your bicycle or your OHV and spend some quiet time in the wide open spaces of the Grassland.
Overnight camping in developed sites is on a first-come, first-served basis. Campfires are allowed unless restrictions are posted. Red Cloud Campground site features 13 sites with picnic tables and fire grates, and a vault toilet. From Chadron, NE travel eight miles south of on U.S. Highway 385 to the campground.
Backcountry, dispersed or primitive camping (no facilities) is allowed anywhere on the National Forest.
Practicing Leave No Trace principles ensures that the next person to visit will have the same sense of discovery as those who came before.
The seven principles are:
Plan ahead and prepare, Camp and travel on durable surfaces, Dispose of waste properly, Leave what you find, Minimize campfire impacts, Respect wildlife, Be considerate of other visitors.
Guide
Windy and freezing (but it was January)!! Amazing sunrise, easy to find, beautiful views, only ones there, minutes from Badlands National Park entrance and FREE!!
Ranger
Boondocking with no bathrooms/showers/water Located just outside Badlands National Park and Wall in Buffalo Gap Spots have no shade or electricity
Guide
We enjoyed two nights at the Badlands Boondocking Area. We stayed at the northernmost area of the camping and enjoyed the view down the entirety of the wall. The winds can get really high so don’t park too close to the edge. This was a great location for visiting Badlands National Park and going to Wall Drug.
GuideThe campsites are basically outcrops off of the main road which means typical dispersed camping with no amenities. The views from the campsites are astounding. Very serene landscape with plenty of wildlife. The road is long and I suggest following it all the way before picking a campsite.
GuideThis is a great dispersed site right next to The Badlands National Park. In October, there were only about 20 campers at most (lots of available space). The views from here are amazing, as well as sunrise and sunset. It can get quite windy. Very quiet!
ScoutThe views are beautiful and the area is quiet and secluded, overall would be a great boondocking location if you have an RV. For a rooftop tent camper like myself, it is extremely exposed and windy. No shade whatsoever.
Traveler5.5 south of Wall SD On hwy 240. Take a right at the tv towers and drive in to the rim of the wall. Free disbursed camping a mile north of the entrance to the Badlands National Park. No facilities and a rough road in, but worthwhile.
TravelerFantastic views No facilities but worth checking it out for a night while in Badlands Unlimited space Sage Creek also free camping with 22 sites No big RVs We travel in a Ford Transit 19
RangerFree! Best views in Bad Lands NP! Free! Great cell signal! Oh, it’s free, too! Best spot I’ve stayed in the past week, no bad spots to be found! A must-do place to boondock if you are passing thru!
LegendFree camping right by Pinnacle entrance of the Badlands...cant beat free! It is hot up there in the middle of summer though a breeze comes through ..we were in the 80s, so I can't imagine what it will be like when it gets to 100 degrees. Regardless, I recommend this spot if you like free and want a lovely view of the badlands.
There were a lot of RVs campers and people in tents, but still tons of spots to choose from!!!
ScoutWe were on “The Wall” dispersed camping near the tall antennas south of Wall, SD, just off Hwy 240. Plenty of room for everyone. No services, no cost. Gorgeous scenery.
TravelerDispersed Camping right outside the Badlands NP. No amenities but plenty of space and easy access. I saw large RVs and small cars camping there. Trail 7158 and 7170 right of of Rt 240 and close to the town of Wall.
Guide
Seemed like a less popular spot then the northern dispersed camping, but it was a really sweet stop after a sick drive thru the Badlands. A really big area, beautiful view of the peaks to the north, and relaxing moo's from the local cows.
LegendThis beautiful place overlooks the badlands. We entered on the second road right by the cell tower. We heard that turning left at the wall was a smoother route. Even though the place was full we kept going and found plenty of spots to camp. We choose one opposite the edge but it was too small and angled for someone to camp there. This gave us a perfect spot to set up our chairs and enjoy the view. This is dispersed camping so there are no services. Pack in/pack out is important. This also means that folks have dogs off leash but they were respectful of keeping their dogs away from our reactive dog. This is a beautiful, free gem of a place to stay at.
TravelerDrive 240 S from Wall SD towards the NP for 6 miles. Look for a small dirt road on the left, it’s easy to miss. There are 3 radio towers near a Dispersed Camping area. You’ll notice the towers before the turn. Good cell service. Spectacular location. Most stay 1 night or 2. Best sites vacant by 10am and full by 4 pm.
GuideThis is one of the coolest places I've camped, easily! There are plenty of spots right along the top of the "wall" that offer views of the land and sunrises that can't be beat. There's a huge cell tower there so service is actually great. Located right outside Badlands National Park and free of charge, this is place is beyond cool. Keep an eye on the weather if you're in a tent or a tall rig though, wind storms can roll in quickly and are incredibly strong (see the cool part about camping on a cliff turn into a potential disaster) so just stay aware. 100% worth it. Also, no toilets so prep for that :).
LegendAs others have said in so many words, Wow!! If the stark beauty of this place doesn’t blow you away, the wind might! The sheer force of it was humbling.
This is a dispersed camping site located on a ledge overlooking the Badlands. This configuration makes for some serious winds which are evidenced in the rock that’s been sculpted in the area.
The location is about 6 miles south of Wall, SD, but make sure to get the GPS coordinates. The drive into the dispersed camping area is on a gravel service road which was doable for my 24’ class C (see video), but I took it very slowly because there are rutted areas. This spot is convenient to lots of attractions in the area. Many folks with toads would safely leave their RV’s during the day to go and sightsee.
My favorite memories: the hiking and star gazing!
My not so favorite memory: while stargazing in flip flops something bit my big toe and drew blood. It was the screech heard round SD! NOTE: Wear closed toed shoes and don’t park too close to the edge.
RangerThe only negative I have to say is it does get really crowded (the reason for 4 stars)!!! They views are amazing, it is quiet. Close to the Badlands National Park and of course Wall Drug
ScoutThis was an our first time dispersed camping so we weren’t sure exactly what to expect. There were lots of campers (probably 20 other cars), but the views are unmatched. Waking up at dawn and watching the sunrise over the Badlands is breathtaking! Really easy access. We saw people with all size trailers parked. Lots of space to spread out. Not much for privacy, but with views like that, who cares!
ScoutNearly unlimited boondock spots with spectacular views. Wind is blowing 20+ (just a breeze according to our SD friend) out of the SE up the Wall from the Badlands) with gusts to 30. Everyone favors the spots at the edge, but we found that you still have a good view 100 feet or so back from cliff edge and get considerable protection from the wind — the apparent wind velocity is cut by about half. Bonus: Good cell reception. Is that a cell tower in the middle of the boondock area?
RangerNothing beats the experience of boondocking at the wall. Waking up to this view is a must.
GuideGreat place to spend the night, right outside the north entrance to to badlands national park. Ton of Ridgeline spots for RV/van camping, not so many even spots. It was too windy for my RTT on the ridge, ended up spending the night in the basin.
ScoutThis is a dispersed camping location. The only ameneties are what you bring. The view is great. Any size RV can make it down the dirt road. Most every camp location will require the RV to be leveled. Arrive in early afternoon so you can select your most desirable location. Easiest directions to area is to go south on 240 off of I90 at Wall, SD. Drive for approximately 7 mi and look to the east. You will see the RVs on the rim.
RangerWhat else can I say that hasn’t already been said ? I’ll say it anyway, this place is fricking amazing!!! We’ve been to the Badlands a handful of times but haven’t experienced like this . We were traveling home from Montana to Minnesota & were looking for some dispersed camping along the way & hoped for a last hurrah before heading home. We liked everything we read here about this particular site & decided to seek it out. It’s very easy to find off of 1-90 in either direction but it’s a few miles off the road so there is no traffic noise at all. It’s very easy to find but we didn’t follow the directions given here on the Dyrt. As someone else here mentioned, it’s right outside the Pinnacle entry gate to Badlands National Park. Look for the directions to the Pinnacle entry & it will lead you right to your destination. You will see a few tv/cell ? towers & that’s where the roads leading in will be. It’s a loop & there are 2 ways in . The 1st road in is less rough but be aware that there are few steep grades & a few dips on gravel so be careful if you are towing a bigger rig. The other way in isn’t as steep but has many pot holes in the gravel road. We have a travel trailer & made it in just fine but we chatted up a few fellow campers that had some issues. Once your on the main / only road going thru the grounds, you’ll see sites along the rim of the Badlands that have areas cleared for you to set up camp, no matter what your equipment. If you cruise along the road you’re sure to find something to suit you. Camping on the rim offers pretty level spots , nice sized sites & AMAZING views !! Some even have little paths carved out leading a ways down into the rocks . Perfect for a closer look! You can also camp in a big field area across from the rim as well . We arrived on a Thursday morning to a handful of other campers but it filled up fast. I’m suspecting it was due to Labor Day. Even though it filled up , there was still plenty of space to be had & plenty of space between everyone. While there we came across a few antelope that just casually strolled about. One even sought refuge from the brutal heat under somebody’s 5th wheel! Speaking of the heat , it was about 100 degrees. While I normally hate to use a generator in a very quiet setting , we absolutely had to to run the AC or we would’ve melted. Especially for our dogs sake! If you do have to use a generator, don’t worry , many people were . The area still kept it’s quiet integrity. No there are not hook ups or anything like that but none of that mattered with how breathtaking it was . I’d rather be here any day than packed like sardines at some RV resort. If you still aren’t sure - just do it! You will not regret it! Waking up to a sunrise over the Badlands will make you forget your woes.
GuideRight outside Badlands National Park (maybe the most underrated National Park in the country) and perched on the edge of a cliff, this place is surreal. The views are incredible. This wind is ferocious and mostly constant, but it's worth it. We were serenaded to sleep by coyotes.
The road in is a little sketchy but 4wd probably isn't required. Low clearance vehicles may have problems but with some guts you can probably make it.
GuideOne of the best if not the best spot to stay at the badlands if boondocks is fine with you. Never will be fill here but best views along the Cliffside will be taken.
RangerThe view right.on the rim of the badlands. Just a few minutes from the np entrance. Wonderful views.
This is a gem in your boondocking travels. Great views. Windy. But wonderful. T mobile and att service
Experience the beauty of the Badlands National Park while enjoying the freedom of dispersed camping. This area offers stunning landscapes, incredible views, and a chance to connect with nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Badlands National Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Badlands National Park is Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping with a 4.8-star rating from 128 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Badlands National Park?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Badlands National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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