If you want to explore the beauty of Badlands National Park, glamping is an excellent option. Glamping near Badlands National Park is especially popular among campers who enjoy beds and electricity. You're sure to find glamping for your Badlands National Park camping adventure.
Welcome to the oasis of the Badlands! This KOA is just 4 miles from Badlands National Park. The rugged beauty of the Badlands includes a rich fossil bed and the nation's largest protected mixed-grass prairie, where you'll find bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs. The campground is in a quiet rural setting with hundreds of large shade trees beside the White River. Enjoy the pool, fun-bike rentals, mini golf and a large pet park. Pancake breakfasts, Indian tacos and more are served Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Choose from Deluxe Cabins, Camping Cabins, full-hookup Pull-Thru RV Sites, tepees, Premium Tent Sites (with shelter, sink and electricity), standard shaded Tent Sites and big-rig friendly sites with a patio area. Free Wi-Fi! Stop by the grocery store and gift shop. Max pull thru: 120 feet
$1 - $100 / night
Badlands Heritage Guest Ranch offers visitors a unique vacation experience on a working regenerative ranch in a rustic and peaceful setting. Ranch guests have the opportunity to stay in one of our RV sites with full hook-ups, deluxe camping cabins, regular campsites, or Lakota style tipis. With opportunities to learn about regenerative agriculture, local history, and culture, your stay at our family ranch will be one to remember!
Because we offer a unique experience, we ask that that you read and understand our “Rules of the Ranch” (shown below) before booking.
Arrival and departure. Our regular check-in time is between 3pm and 6pm. Check out time is at noon.
*Pets. *For the safety of ourselves, our guests, and our animals we do not allow any pets as guests at the ranch. However, you will have plenty of opportunities to interact with animals!
*Noise. *We are located in a remote location far away from traffic and construction noise, but guests may hear our goose, chickens, goats, cows, or horses - especially during feeding or milking times. :-) We request a quiet time between 10pm and 6am daily.
*Livestock. *As a working regenerative agriculture operation, guests will have plenty of opportunities to see and experience ranch life. We ask that everyone respect all animals on the ranch. Shouting, name calling, or hitting is not acceptable.
*Dogs. *In addition to our livestock, we also have dogs to protect our animals. These dogs take their jobs very seriously, so please do not disturb them by calling to them or offering them treats. They may want to approach and meet you, but if not, don't take it personally. Please give them their space.
*Smoking. *We do not allow smoking in cabins, tipis, restrooms or other buildings on the ranch.
*Fires. *As we live in an arid climate where drought is common, we ask that guests do not start fires in their individual sites. We host community campfires during the summer months where guests can gather, mingle, learn, and be entertained.
*Wifi. *We encourage our guests to unplug a little and enjoy all that the natural beauty of the Badlands has to offer. We don’t provide free wifi, however your cell phone will most likely have great service and a strong signal.
*Trash. *While we are always striving to become a zero-waste operation, we understand that trash is unavoidable. We encourage guests practice “Leave No Trace” principles during their stay. If you have any trash, please place it in the dumpster provided on site.
*Common areas. *We have several shared spaces and amenities here on the ranch. To make everyone’s stay as pleasant as possible, we ask that guests keep these areas clean and be respectful to others.
*Agritourism disclaimer. *As a working agricultural operation, there are inherent risks, conditions, dangers, or hazards that are an integral part of our land used for agritourism activities. Under South Dakota law, owners of property where agritourism activities are conducted are not liable for injury to or death of a participant in the agritourism activity or damage to the participant’s property. We love to have our guests participate in regenerative agriculture and take measures to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment, but please understand you are assuming risk by participating in agricultural activities.
$40 - $145 / night
Scout
This was our second time staying at the Badlands/White River KOA. It’s a nice campground but our timing was bad for heat, biting flies and mosquitos. The campground fogged for bugs at night. Still, electricity, clean bathrooms, and an excellent location for getting to the Badlands National Park quickly.
LegendThis campground is busy because of its location to the Badlands National Park...so expect people. They offer a lot here...Full hookups with water and cable tv. They do have wifi but with so many people you probably should not count on it. They have cooks who will make you food and it is good. The people who checked us in were great and very helpful with everything!
RangerThis tree-filled campground is very near the entrance to the Badlands National Park. Trees large enough to provide shade - what a luxury in the Badlands area! The campground had all the amenities, although the wifi was a little glitchy. The Badlands did not disappoint! We thoroughly enjoyed the park and visited in the morning, during the day and in the evening to catch the sunset. We also transported our bikes to the park to ride on the Sage Creek Road through the national park. It was a great 23-mile ride, although the advertised"rolling hills" were steeper than I would have guessed. We saw mountain goats with babies, lots of bison, and tons of prairie dogs!
RangerWe spent a few nights at the Badlands/ White River KOA as our home base while we explored Badlands National Park area. The KOA had all the standard KOA amenities, but they were a little worn and could use some TLC. We stayed in a cabin which backed up to the White River, and there were game trails behind the cabin. We collected a rainbow of rocks and small agates from the driveway gravel and spent a great morning watching the nesting cliff swallows under the bridge scoop mud for nests and feed their young. The sites were well shaded, which is great in such a hot, open area. The nearby National Park campgrounds I drove through were not so nice.
Enjoy exploring the Badlands! Wounded Knee, Minute Men National Historic site, Buffalo National Grasslands (agate hunting for you rockhounds), and a cool sod Homestead are all nearby.
LegendThis was our first time at a KOA. Stayed for 2 nights to explore the Badlands. The campground was large and very close/convenient to Badlands National Park . I appreciated that they had the option of purchasing dinner or breakfast at their cafe. Hosts and staff are very friendly. They had a huge dog park that our pups loved. Sites were close together and just ok from an aesthetic standpoint. Looked like a good campground if you have children - lots of activities and a pool. I am only giving 4 stars because one of our party is in a wheelchair and he had to go all the way to the back of the campground where the tent camping was to access an ADA bathroom/shower. And there were only 2 of those available - they are the regular showers for the tent campers. Otherwise, if you aren’t handicapped it is a good choice. Especially if you have dogs. Oh, and watch out for mosquitos. They do spray for them
RangerPull through RV spots, tent spots, cabins, and a yurt. High quality facilities with a shower house and bathroom. Mini golf, camp store, dog park, and pool available. 10 min drive from the park!
RangerCampsite Review:
I was definitely out of my zone here. I am used to backcountry camping, no amenities, and sleeping with no one to be seen. This was almost the opposite of what I usually do.
Amenities: General store, water, electric (30/20 amps), showers, flush toilets, laundry mat, basketball court, swimming pool, mini golf.
See what I mean. There wasn't anything I could think of that would make my camping here more comfortable, but it did mean that it was packed and with some RV's that I have no doubt cost more than my net worth (but i secretly loved seeing those)
This was my first time at a KOA and it was a nice to be able to relax and kind of "glamp" for a couple of nights.
One thing that was pretty cool was an area called the "wagon wheel". It was an area for tents that is walled off and has a kitchenette area available.
For a video review of this site CLICK HERE
Product Review:
During our road trip around the US, I was able to try out the GO camper from SylvanSport. We were blown away with this camper. It is easy to see why so many people call this the Coolest. Camper. Ever.
I could spend all day talking about what we loved about this camper, but I'll try to limit it to just a couple of the highlights. Let's say.....two things we loved about the GO and one thing we think could be improved on.
The first positive was just the amount of room you had when you had to GO completely set up. When we had it in "sleep" mode we easily had our queen sized air mattress in there and still had about another twin sized area to put our stuff. I had no trouble standing up in the tent (I'm about 6') and slept pretty great during the trip. It could easily sleep 4 adults and probably even up to a family of 6.
Second positive, light weight. At roughly 800 lbs, this thing could be pulled by anything. The light weight also lets you pack it down with gear and still be able to pull it through the mountains without stressing your vehicle. We would frequently get the camper close to where we wanted it, and then unhooked it to move it by hand into final position. Easy Peasy.
For the negative there really wasn't anything huge, but more nit-picky. The thing that kept coming up was how you stored the privacy screen and water proof screen when you had them unzipped on the windows. There is a small mesh flap with elastic that really wasn't strong enough to keep the screens inside it when you unzipped, as a result the screens often got caught underneath things and you had to keep moving them out of the way.
At the end of the day, we loved our two weeks in the GO!
Click to see video reviews on TOWING, SET-UP, LOOK INSIDE, and AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT for the GO.
GuideGets one star for being right at Badlands. Otherwise had a horrible experience which tends to happen at KOAs. People were rude when we got there early and tried to check in. Told us no spots were open yet and that we would just have to come back later. Went back an hour later and got put in a spot that was open when we drove by it earlier. They also charged an extra $16 for early check in?!?! That’s the second time we have stayed at a KOA and we have not been impressed with either.
RangerTypical KOA, charged a little more but also more amenities. Would be a 5 if they kept the restrooms cleaner.
GuideThe check in process got kind of confusing. Our spot was just okay but that’s probably my fault for not booking sooner.
ScoutGreat facilities, sites are a little close together but staff is so awesome
TravelerNice campground located not far from Badlands NP. Easy access to the campground, and nice level sites. The free pancake breakfast was a nice touch for our family as well. We didn’t utilize the pool, but it looked clean, like the rest of the campground.
TravelerI was hesitant to camp in the Badlands because it gets so hot. This campground has SO many trees and I’m surprised at how much cooler it is, even though it’s right next to the Badlands.
Nice campsite space.
Bathrooms were a little sparse for the number of sites they have, but the bathrooms were clean.
GuideConveniently located not much Todo in the area as far as restaurants and such. Had a huge lot stayed a week
TravelerWe stopped here after panning to stay in the grasslands when we saw it was going to hit 105. The pool is small but was just what we needed on a scorcher. Nice camp shop and friendly staff. Most spots had some shade from trees.
ScoutThis campsite had all the amenities - even laundry! The staff is super friendly. They provide free pancakes in the morning. All in all, a nice KOA!
ScoutI am very pleased with this Campground . As I drove through the Badlands today and saw people setting up their tents in the totally exposed Park campgrounds I was sad for them . The KOA has great shade at every tent site . The sites are spacious and there were was no overcrowding . I opted to rent one of the small Rustic cabins with AC ( no bathroom or kitchen ) in order to give my elderly dog a respite from the scorching afternoon heat . The little camping cabin is clean and comfortable, there is a small front porch with a swing . Outside there is a picnic table and fire ring . We walked through the campground this evening and there was a cool gentle breeze . Most of the tent sites were unoccupied while I believe absolutely every RV site was occupied . Definitely worth checking out this campsite and hands down better choice than the exposed unshaded sites with in the Badlands .
TravelerWe usually like to camp at a campsite for one night before we disperse camp so we can check out the areas and make sure our RV can get there. This seemed to be very kid friendly and very clean. It was a nice stop!
ScoutVery well ran and managed KOA campground. Quiet and clean. Everyone helpful. Nice shop, pool, dog park, dump station, etc. We would definitely recommend it.
ScoutWe stayed at a full hook-up site, our first time with sewage. It was pretty cramped camping. They squeeze you in. The other parts of the campground are spaced a bit more. There is a full service convenience store, pet eun area, mini golf and a beautiful view.
TravelerWe arrived here the last night of their season. We feel lucky to have had at least one night here before they close for the winter. Although the camp ground is outside the park, the views from the areas surrounding the campground are great. The white river runs just next to the campground and the the dry season allows a creek walk. Sunset across the grasslands to the Badlands was spectacular. The bathrooms are clean, posts helpful and the sites feel big enough… Although there were approximately 10 other RVs in the whole campground on this last night. At the moment it’s very quiet.
GuideBeautiful campground. Spots aren't too close together and are level. I am in spot 22...water, electric, and sewer.Good sized dog park. Miniature golf, pool.
TravelerThere isn’t a lot around the Badlands so this location was very convenient. Full hookup was nice and the laundry and store were convenient. The pool was small and cloudy but needed as it is so hot. Sites were close but not overly crowded for RVs. Our biggest complaint were the flies. We haven’t experienced anything like it in all the campgrounds we have been too. Made us concerned about sanitation. It was so bad we couldn’t eat or sit outside in the evening. Needs to be treated.
TravelerTalk about the name fitting the spot. Located right next to the Badlands Park. The scenery is out of this world! The KOA is clean and well kept. Don’t plan to have a lengthy cell call. The staff is great and the store is stocked!
TravelerBathrooms are very clean & there are personal showers. Sometimes there can be a line but we didn’t find a problem. We enjoyed our stay & the location was on the edge of the badlands, nothing too far. I would stay here again! The owners were very nice to us
GuideNice Koa close to the entrance of The Badlands Park clean great staff
GuideWe booked sites in February and requested adjacent sites. When we arrived, we’re given four different reasons why our sites were not adjacent. Pool was closed for 3 weeks due to pump issue. I know COVID has impacted supply chains but this is ridiculous.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Badlands National Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Badlands National Park is Badlands / White River KOA with a 4.1-star rating from 58 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Badlands National Park?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 glamping camping locations near Badlands National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
