Best Dispersed Camping near Badlands National Park
Buffalo Gap National Grassland offers free dispersed camping along a ridge overlooking Badlands National Park, with multiple sites concentrated around the Wall area. Located about 6 miles south of Wall on Highway 240, the main camping area is marked by radio towers and accessed via dirt roads that can be rutted but passable for most vehicles. The area provides spectacular sunrise and sunset views across the Badlands landscape with sites positioned both along the edge of the bluff and across the access road.
The camping area is completely undeveloped with no water, toilets, trash service, or other amenities. Visitors should come fully prepared with all necessary supplies. According to one visitor, "We stayed for two nights and felt very safe. A lot of people staying there but everyone was very distanced." Wind is a significant consideration for campers, especially tent campers, as the exposed ridge experiences strong, persistent winds. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "It is a windy ridge overlooking the badlands... be sure to stake down your tent and secure it well because I have camped there twice and both times I felt like I was going to blow away!" Fire restrictions often apply due to the wind and dry conditions. Wildlife sightings, including bighorn sheep and cattle, are common in the area.
