Best Cabin Camping near Interior, SD

I 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 .

We stayed at the Cedar Pass Campground in Badlands National Park the first weekend in March 2016. The weather was unseasonably warm, and the tourists were few. Most of this campground is closed during the "off-season", so we pulled our RV into a pull-through (really, a shoulder) site in the group camp area. During our stay there was only one other person camping, and he camped with a tent. There are pit toilets there, and this time of year they were fairly clean and well-maintained. The sites in the group area are spread apart well. Each area has a covered picnic table. There are no fire pits or grills here, as the fire danger remains high most of the year. Plan to bring a gas or charcoal grill of your own for cooking if you don't use an RV. On occasion we were able to pick up the Wi-Fi from the Cedar Pass Lodge, which is located nearby, but don't plan on campsite internet. This is a rustic campground. That said, water is available at the entrance, as well as a dump station, In addition, electric hook-ups and flush toilets are available in the summer season. This is one of only two campgrounds in this national park. and the other, Sage Creek Campground, is on the far west end of the park, remote, and very rustic (and also FREE). This campground is located within walking distance of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Reservations open in March for the summer season, and we recommend making them, as this campground is almost always full in season. Or, visit like we did, in the off-season, which can be much more temperate for weather.

Perfect location for visiting Badlands National Park. Jussstttt outside the park entrance and the Ben Reifel visitor center. Could not ask for a better location. The campground is a no frills, perfectly adequate base for exploring the area. 30 amp (some sites have 50) and water with a dump station. The staff is super friendly and there is a small store and cafe. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Sites are gravel and pretty level. Can’t beat it for $38/night! We had a spot at cedar pass for one night and extended here because it wasn’t worth moving (see pic of how close they are to one another) and CP doesn’t have water hookups.

The views are spectacular from the campground. Great spot for sunrises, sunsets and stargazing.

Good proximity to visitors center, a cafe, store, amphitheater and many drivable views. Also quick 2 miles out of the park to the small town of Interior for gas,  etc.

Toilets were clean enough for a campsite,  but PAY showers were less clean (reasonably priced for pay shower and water was hot and pressure great...I just never wanted myself or any of my belongings to touch the nasty shower curtain and you want to keep those flip flops on). 

Weird layout for those with pop outs into the street as this is not a pull in place. You just parallel park on the street in a small aside like a bus stop. Many RVers had chairs in the street when their vehicle provided shade that direction. We tent camped and it seemed much more fitting for that.

That being said, the views are amazing from the camp. The night program at the amphitheater was so entertaining that we went twice!  We saw buffalo, deer, mountain goats and big horn sheep while hiking or driving. There is no shade anywhere in the park unless you time the sun and some rocks in early morning or late afternoon. They do have partial covers for the picnic tables positioned in a way that blocks noon to evening sun. Also, the sturdy wood/metal covers had many hammocks hung on them- good way to relax in the afternoon heat.

We stayed 3 nights and it was enough time to drive all scenic roads, see all vistas, go to Wall Drug, and day hike all designated trails in park (backpacking you follow game trails or dried creeks and need no permit or reservation).

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.