Best RV Parks & Resorts near Philip, SD

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.

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.

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.

We stayed at the Badlands Interior Campground and Motel for three nights while visiting Badlands National Park.  We were supposed to stay in the national park campground, but they had overbooked and we were out of luck, as were most other campers with reservations that day.  Fortunately, the Badlands Interior campground is just two miles down the road from the national park campground. They offer full hookups for the same price as a lessor site at the park campground.  

We found the Badlands Interior Campground to be enjoyable and convenient. We were in our class C while slowly making our way across the country. The campground is reasonably large. We had no problems getting a spot here. Sites are gravel for the RV, very level, and reasonably well maintained. All RV sites are pull through. Hookups are in good condition. You may have to run your water hose under your RV.  Each site has a grassy area with a table and fire pit. The grassy areas were a little narrow, causing your neighbor to be a little close.  Staff was very friendly and helpful. There are tent sites available.

There was a pool that we observed being used daily. There is a meadow with hiking trails at the campground. There are showers, laundry and a campground store.  Breakfast is also available.

The campground is conveniently located just two miles from the national park. It has great views of the national park. There is almost no noise other than your neighbors.

We had 4 bar LTE with Verizon. Our hotspot performed very well. The wifi offered at the campground is the best we have encountered.  My wife was able to play her xbox games in the evening.

We found this to be a great place to stay.  We will stay again when traveling this way.