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Best Tent Camping near Badlands National Park

582 Reviews

Like all of South Dakota, Badlands National Park enjoys sunny summers and harsh winters. While you can go at any time, this park, like most, is crowded during the summer. While getting campsites in peak season isn’t impossible, it isn’t always easy.

With only one reservable campground, getting a camping spot in Badlands is tricky. That being said, with large amounts of federal land surrounding it, free camping is abundant. However, RV campers will appreciate the availability of sites in the park that can accommodate them. Buffalo Gap National Grassland offers the best camping near Badlands National Park if you can’t snag a camp spot. For campers and roadtrippers alike, a stop (or stay) in Wall, SD, is a must.

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Best Tent Sites Near Badlands National Park (4)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Badlands National Park

582 Reviews of 4 Badlands National Park Campgrounds

  • K
    Aug. 29, 2018

    Sage Creek Campground

    Beautiful and Primative

    Sage Creek is a free and primitive campground in the Badlands National Park. It is absolutely beautiful and surrounded by grassland. The only amenities are vault toilets-there is no water at the site, but you can fill up at the outside faucet at the visitor center before heading down the road to the campsite. There are 12 miles of gravel roads (some great pull offs along this road for pictures) to get to the site, so low clearance vehicles may want to watch out when it rains. The early morning is awesome at this campsite, its quiet, the sun is rising over the hills and sometimes wildlife can be seen munching away.

    The bison frequently roam through this site and I urge all campers to stay a safe distance from the bison as they are wild and unpredictable.

    The only complaint I really have about this site, is more of a concern. In recent years there has been a problem with over crowding at the site, for example, more people staying than allowed, people driving and camping outside the designated campgrounds, being loud, crowding other campers, etc. While we were there, we saw a truck barrel over a prairie dog town, parents allowing their children to throw things at the prairie dogs or stick things into the animal's dens and an argument over a campsite. I just hope that those who choose to camp here keep the park rules and the leave no trace principles in mind. This is a beautiful place and a joy to visit the quiet grasslands.

  • Tim R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2025

    Badlands Boondocking Area

    Awesome views of the Badlands and Buffalo Gap Grasslands

    Wall Dispersed Camping near Badlands National Park is a great spot for anyone looking to boondock with awesome views and a peaceful atmosphere. The location offers a unique contrast— rugged rock formations on one side and the wide-open grasslands of the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands on the other.

    To get there, take the Wall Exit off I-90 and head south. Watch for the two radio towers— that's where you'll turn into the camping area. Once you turn in, don't be afraid to explore north(left) to look for spots. We wished we had driven around first and picked the best site instead of stopping early— there were definitely some better spots farther down. Campsites are marked with signs to help keep space between campers, which is a nice touch for privacy. T-Mobile service worked well during our stay. It can get very windy, so come prepared— and don’t be surprised if you’re sharing the area with a herd of cattle. It’s all part of the experience. A great free camping option with incredible scenery.

  • S
    Aug. 27, 2019

    Cedar Pass Campground — Badlands National Park

    Functional camp sites in badlands national park

    Pros: you are camping in badlands national park. Night time star gazing program with the park during the summer.

    Cons: sites are tightly packed together. No trees. No wind protection. Pay showers. Showers not super clean. Bathrooms and showers do not have counter space or other areas to place personal items.

    During our stay sustained winds collapsed our tent during the day. If you are tent camping, using a tent designed to handle windy conditions would be recommended.

  • Reily K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 20, 2022

    Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping

    Amazing location for Badlands National Park

    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!!

  • Tara S.
    Jul. 29, 2019

    Sage Creek Campground

    Primitive Campground in an Amazingly Wild Spot

    There's a lot of wildlife in Badlands National Park, but we saw the bulk of it right in Sage Creek Campground. This is a totally free campground, which is basically a field surrounding a prairie dog town, with two pit toilets and no water. There is also no shade, but there are a few picnic tables under sun shelters in the campground.

    Unfortunately, we didn't score a sun shelter because we arrived late in the day. We did have a tarp that we set up over our picnic table for shade. During our stay in July, we saw several bison in the campground, as well as hawks, meadowlarks, magpies, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and a family of burrowing owls. 

    There are trails that lead up to the surrounding hills, and plenty of wide-open spaces to explore. If the campground gets busy, it does feel a bit like the grounds of a festival, as there is no privacy and people tend to pitch their tents wherever there is room. Also, it took us about an hour to drive back and forth from the visitor center, and the road is extremely rough, so you have to drive really slow. 

    We loved Sage Creek Campground - the remoteness, the wildlife, and the amazing sky, and would definitely return! Sites do fill up in the busy summer season, but not until late in the evening.

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2024

    Sleepy Hollow Campground

    A Place to Stay

    The campground is fine. FHU with cable. $65 might be steep but,....

    You can walk to Wall Drug Store if you are so inclined.

    Plenty of space to walk the dogs.

    8 miles from Badlands National Park entrance.

    COMPLAINT - not the parks fault but....they were/are doing construction on the railroad crossing that prevents you from following your navigation guide. The detour signs are terrible or non-existent. We drove down a street with cars parked on both sides, and found ourselves at road closed even thought we could see the park. We had to call and ask how to get into the park.

  • Joshua M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping

    Great Sites, Recently built up

    This is a great location for camping. They recently built up this campsite with gravel and wood logs for more defined sites. There is about 20 sites here and most can fit long RVs. Just 2 miles from Badlands National Park. Unbeatable and one of the best free sites we have seen in all our travels. We pulled in about 6 pm and had lots of sites to pick from. Highly recommend.

  • Carlyne F.
    Feb. 11, 2021

    Cedar Pass Campground — Badlands National Park

    Cedar Pass Campground, SD

    Located within Badlands National Park, this campground couldn’t be more conveniently located to nearby hiking trails and all the Badlands has to offer. There is a visitors center with a small store in walking distance. Our site was essentially along a road, so privacy is limited, but you get your own awning and picnic table. The bathrooms weren’t heated and it was about 5 degrees which made our showers uncomfortable. The showers require quarters, but there is a no change machine. Use the vending machine to make change instead.

    Tent camping is allowed all year, but most guests were staying in RV’s.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 13, 2024

    Sage Creek Campground

    Free camping with wildlife

    Campground is basic. Only 2 (very clean) vault toilets, no water or electricity. I got there a little before 3pm on mother's day; it was full by 8. Only a handful of sites have sun covers over the picnic tables. You will be very close to other campers. Most are respectful. I would just recommend getting there before dark to keep from disturbing everyone. Prairie dogs galore in the center and on the periphery of the campground. My dog was fascinated by them. As noted by others, you will most likely be serenaded by coyotes and have morning visits from the bison. I also heard wild turkeys off in the woods.

Guide to Badlands National Park

Tent camping near Badlands National Park in South Dakota offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in stunning landscapes and enjoy the great outdoors. With options for both dispersed camping and backcountry experiences, adventurers can find the perfect spot to pitch their tent.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

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Some prices for tent camping are free

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Badlands National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Badlands National Park is Baja Area Dispersed - Buffalo Gap National Grassland with a 4.4-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Badlands National Park?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Badlands National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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