Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping, near Badlands National Park, offers a unique outdoor experience for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. This area is free to camp in and provides stunning views, making it a popular choice for visitors wanting to explore the nearby Badlands.

The location is known for its open spaces and breathtaking scenery, perfect for stargazing and enjoying the tranquility of the wilderness. Campers have noted the wild winds that can whip through the area, so if you're tent camping, be prepared for some gusty nights. As one visitor shared, “The wind is wild!” 

While there are no amenities like restrooms or trash services, the beauty of the surroundings more than makes up for it. Many campers have praised the accessibility to the park, with just a short drive to the Pinnacles entrance. The area is pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your furry companions along for the adventure.

If you're looking for a place to unwind and soak in the natural beauty, Buffalo Gap is a great choice. Just remember to pack out what you pack in, and enjoy the stunning sunsets and sunrises that this remote location has to offer.

The Wall is a part of Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. It is near The Badlands National Park and is dispersed camping. There is only one small developed recreation area on the Buffalo Gap National Grassland. The National Grassland Visitor Center is located in Wall, South Dakota. This site provides the history behind the system of the National Grasslands located across the West. While there is only one developed campground, there are plenty of open spaces to camp. Bring your horse, your bicycle or your OHV and spend some quiet time in the wide open spaces of the Grassland. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nebraska/recarea/?recid=30333

Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping

Looking for the best campgrounds near Wall, SD? Wall is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Wall

The Best Camping Near Wall, South Dakota

Drive 240 S from Wall SD towards the NP for 6 miles. Look for a small dirt road on the left, it’s easy to miss. There are 3 radio towers near a Dispersed Camping area. You’ll notice the towers before the turn. Good cell service. Spectacular location. Most stay 1 night or 2. Best sites vacant by 10am and full by 4 pm. 

BLM Buffalo Gap National Grassland  j

Huge ridge line with fantastic views. Lots of people but enough space for everyone to be spread out. Try and plan for wind, because it can be brutal but the experience is worth it IMO. 

Brilliant Spot

This is by far one of my favorite places to camp in the country! It is a windy ridge overlooking the badlands and just outside the north park gate. Look for the radio towers and drive up the dirt road to a cliff where you can set up and enjoy a spectacular spot! There is a lot of room for everyone to spread out. But 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! But it is well worth it and a magical spot! 

Camping on the edge! 

Absolutely loved this spot. So beautiful! No amenities but if you bring plenty of water, you’ll be great. We even took a little “bird bath” to cool down in the 98* heat. There are two green gates - one before the radio/tv towers and one right in front of them. Either will lead you along the ridge. Pick your spot anywhere along the road for incredible views. A little forewarning: you will want shade and good tent stakes to accommodate for the heat and wind. 

Amazing camping 

Rolled in here after a 12 hour drive at about 11:00 pm. There were still quite a few spots to set up. There were mostly campers and we were one of two groups tent camping but that wasn’t an issue. Make sure to use stakes for your tent though because the wind is wild. The stars were gorgeous and the sunrise was unrivaled 

Fantastic views

One of the best BLM, dispersed campgrounds I’ve ever been to. Great for RVs, trailers, or tents. My Civic made it up the rough roads with no issue, we just had to drive around some potholes! Will be back!

So gorgeous!!

Just miles south of Wall. We're set up on the ridge, overlooking the Badlands to the south and similar structures starting 20 feet from our tent. There's ample space here for tents, RVs and car camping. Watch for "no motor vehicle" areas and find a spot. Also very exposed, so we set the tent next the the SUV. Wing days might be the only deal-breaker here.

Free camping with a view

There was a lot of space here for many tents, camper vans and RVs. 

We came in Early August, so it was a bit more crowded per the famous Sturgis motorcycle festival. Festival? Not sure what you call them, but it’s a big deal. 

It is close to the tourist town of Wall, but also a nice stop to break up a drove. What we did. 

Wall is an interesting town, mostly a tourist trap. 

 

A great view, for free too  

As I am typing this my husband and I are in our tent with all the windows just soaking in the view. The wind was alittle bit or a struggle but we have everything tied down and all our windows are open. The view is gorgeous. You can do a little walk to the edge of some cliffs and literally just embrace nature. No fire though because of how windy it is. 

The One Where They Almost Blow Off

Stayed 2 nights – not back-to-back, yet at the same“site”– each night as bookends to a roadtrip into the Black Hills. This bluff-top road overlooking Bloom Basin in the Buffalo Gap Grasslands is pure magic. I counted 40 spots, by counting just the campers – from tents to full on Class A busses (yet there was still more room). The road is rutted in places, but passable for seemingly most vehicles. Zero services (bring the poop tent), but cell reception is excellent!  :)  The grocery store in Wall is also excellent for a stock up on foods. 

  

Sites are both “on the edge” and “on the other side of the road,” and include both small pull-offs for tenters, but also really big pull-off areas where several big RVs could group camp together. We chose a bluff-side site that had its own access trail down a spine. Wildlife like bighorn sheep ran across the mid-bluffs (video!), cows graze on the lower plains, and coyote packs call to each other at dusk. Moonrise and the most amazing Milky Way views overnight were icing on the (very hot and windy daytime) cake. We will return again.

the most incredible campsite I have ever stayed at (and it’s free)

As others have said in so many words, Wow!!  If the stark beauty of this place doesn’t blow you away, the wind might! The sheer force of it was humbling. 

  

This is a dispersed camping site located on a ledge overlooking the Badlands. This configuration makes for some serious winds which are evidenced in the rock that’s been sculpted in the area. 

  

The location is about 6 miles south of Wall, SD, but make sure to get the GPS coordinates.  The drive into the dispersed camping area is on a gravel service road which was doable for my 24’ class C (see video), but I took it very slowly because there are rutted areas. This spot is convenient to lots of attractions in the area. Many folks with toads would safely leave their RV’s during the day to go and sightsee. 

  

My favorite memories:  the hiking and star gazing! 

My not so favorite memory: while stargazing in flip flops something bit my big toe and drew blood. It was the screech heard round SD! NOTE: Wear closed toed shoes and don’t park too close to the edge.

Humbling and awesome place!

These spots are amazing. My Honda Odyssey had a little trouble making it up the dirt path, but it was so worth it. We stayed for two nights and felt very safe. A lot of people staying there but everyone was very distanced highly recommend!!!!!

Wow 

This is a dispersed BLM area. It is easy to locate just take the hwy from Wall SD 5.5 miles toward the Badlands Park entrance. When you see the cell towers to onto the dirt road on the left. 

I camped there on a Sunday night in September and there were lots of other campers there already at 2 pm. The area filled up as the day went on. See the pic that I added. 

This is a beautiful spot and it was good to connect with the other campers. There are big horn sheep herds that will climb the walls and walk among the campers to  graze on the flatland grass in the mornings. 

Camping on the edge

We pulled in at night on a weekend so there were quite a few other people camping along the edge of this vast darkness. We didn’t know what to expect. When the sun started to rise we never looked to the left or the right again. The other campers were of no concern, we could not take our eyes off the amazing view that we didn’t know was coming with the morning light. 
We were about 30 feet from the next camper, but if we were squished in their shoulder to shoulder it wouldn’t even matter the view is breathtaking!!! 

The only thing I could say wasn’t convenient: there are no bathrooms and absolutely no privacy so I hope you have a way to use the bathroom and make it a private activity. ￼

Definitely a top 10!

Loved it!!! Gorgeous views, easily accessible, plenty of space from other campers. 

Beautiful!! 

lots of people know about this place so to snag a good spot get there no later than 
4pm. super windy so I don’t know how well tents would hold up, both other than that it’s so worth the views! come prepared, there’s no bathrooms. 

can’t beat the views 

I decided to check this place out since I love dispersed camping. Getting here is easy - just head south from Wall and you'll see it on the left when you see the radio towers. Little dirt road heads out to it.

Long stretch, and when I was there, lots and lots of RV campers, but no tent campers. Why? Two main reasons from what I can gather: extremely windy, and as a result, no fires. I don't know if it's actually a rule that you can't have fires here, but at least when I was there, you wouldn't want to try and manage a fire here anyway, even if you could throw together a decent stone fire pit. The wind is just too intense and the entire area is really dry. 

Another issue: the wind could easily result in you losing some of your tent equipment if you're not careful when you're setting it up and making sure it can't blow away. When I was there the wind was gusting toward the edge, so if you did have some of your stuff blow away, getting it back could be a real pain in the ass. Needless to say, if you are going to tent camp here - and it is definitely doable - stake it down well and be double-careful when setting up not to lose anything.  

People mentioned goats in some reviews, and sure enough, I bumped into a small group of them. Seemed pretty harmless and quite used to humans hanging around.

The sunrise and sunset are supposed to be stunning, which I unfortunately did not have time to stay to confirm. Would definitely plan on a sunrise / sunset viewing if I find myself in this area again and the timing is right.

All in all, a cool spot, but it's gonna be a bit of a doozy for the tent campers if it's half as windy as it was when I was there.

Oh, and for you hammock lovers - not a tree in sight. Good luck! ;)

Very cool spot with great view but not great for tent campers.

No facilities. Meaning toilets, water or electric. ATT phone service was strong and had no problems. Great location close to the Badlands entrance. 
This is a doable spot without a 4x4 vehicle, although it makes it much easier. Some pretty big ruts and rocks along the dirt road. Regardless of when you actually get there you will be able to find a good spot, there are probably over 80. With a decent distance between each. 
As expected you are in top of the plains with nothing to cover so expect some heavy gusts. 


Beautiful veiws. Heavy winds

Ok.... it is really pretty, especially the sunsets and sunrises but we got stuck out here in a wind storm and I swear to god I spent half the night crying in our truck because I thought the camper was going to YEET off the side of the wall. It’s terrifying, check the weather, very very dusty, we hated it. But, it’s pretty. 

SCARY WINDY BUT BEAUTIFUL

Free! Best views in Bad Lands NP! Free! Great cell signal! Oh, it’s free, too! Best spot I’ve stayed in the past week, no bad spots to be found! A must-do place to boondock if you are passing thru!

Wow!

Great alternative to the Sage camp ground just outside the park. Amazing views from the edge into the badlands. Heavy rain can make it difficult to master the access roads

Wonderful boon docking spot just outside the Badlands park.

Wasn’t sure if we’d make it to this spot due to recent snowfall and melt-mud but our trustee Sugaree (‘97 VW Rialta) got us in position. There are some serious snow/mud ruts on the way in but the steepest bit is getting back onto the road on the way out. 

Really an incredible spot! Only one other camper while we were there. Still plenty of distance to stagger on a crowded night. Windy, too, as others have mentioned. But nothing treacherous for us. 

All of it is so well worth it to discover!

@the_glass_camel

Once in a lifetime sunrises!

This place is amazing! It’s very easy to find; it is a very large area, so you’ll be able to find a spot to park no matter the vehicle size; and the views are more than amazing! I car camped on 10/3/20.

Driving south from Wall on 240, simply look to your left and you’ll see people’s RVs, vehicles, and tents to your left. 

I went to the right once up the short dirt/rock road and quickly found a spot on the edge of the Badlands. It was quite windy at night. This location allows for a breathtaking view of both sunsets and sunrises. 

Highly recommend!

Amazing views

There were a lot of RVs boondocking when we were there. But everyone kept a distance from each other and it was quiet. The views are wonderful!!!! The park is awesome! Bighorn sheep right when we entered the park boundary. 

Great views!

I wasn’t sure we’d be able to make it out to the sites but it was welllllllllll worth trying! We arrived in November after an early-season snow. Our rig is a 23yo FWD Eurovan conversion but she managed to trudge through the snow and slush to get us situated at an incredible overlook spot. The sunrise views the next morning easily put the tensions of the potential AAA call out of my mind. If you’re traveling through the area you MUST try to squeeze in a night here. 

Camel Trek - Night 5

This place was awesome! We pulled in after dark and had know idea what we were going to wake up to but it did not disappoint at all. The only suggestion I have is to make sure you are prepared for wind.

What a sunrise!

Stayed here after reading all the great reviews. It didn’t disappoint at all! We will definitely be staying here every time as the views are great, it’s super quiet, the night sky is amazing and the sunrise is beautiful. 

Awesome, free campground 

Pulled up in the Subaru for a night with my two boys (young pups). Room for romping and running around without bothering other campers. Sunrise is stunning. Absolutely worth the early wake up! 

Peaceful and stunning r

We showed up after dark and woke up to a good view. 

Quiet and calm

Incredibly breathtaking views. This is one of the few dog-friendly areas nearby. Be prepared for wind. Be sure to drive over to Wall and visit Wall Drug- it’s a hoot! 

Stunning 

This may be my favorite campsite yet. The views are incredible, all times of the day. There are no amenities at this site so be prepared with food, water, toilets, trash, etc. It’s windy 75% of the time...and I mean solid 20mph winds. I stayed 5 nights and 2 nights were safe enough for fires. There are some “unofficial” camping sites where people have made small fire rings with rocks. This place can fit all sizes of set ups/rigs. Most people leave their setup while they visit the national park, which is only 2 miles away from the north entrance. There were some big horned sheep roaming around near my site the first half of the week. Cell service for all carriers is fantastic here. Definitely would recommend to any and everyone. Definitely will be back!  I’d say there was anywhere from 10-20 campers during my stay. Definitely can accommodate for many more! 

Absolutely stunning! 

Nearly unlimited boondock spots with spectacular views. Wind is blowing 20+ (just a breeze according to our SD friend) out of the SE up the Wall from the Badlands) with gusts to 30. Everyone favors the spots at the edge, but we found that you still have a good view 100 feet or so back from cliff edge and get considerable protection from  the wind — the apparent wind velocity is cut by about half. Bonus:  Good cell reception. Is that a cell tower in the middle of the boondock area?

A+ for the Self-Sufficient Boondocker

The views are stunning, the hiking challenging, and the heat was sweltering yet this was one of my favorite stops while on vacation. The terrain is rough and beautiful with open blue sky's and plenty of things to do! 

Hot, hot and gorgeous

This is one of the coolest places I've camped, easily! There are plenty of spots right along the top of the "wall" that offer views of the land and sunrises that can't be beat. There's a huge cell tower there so service is actually great. Located right outside Badlands National Park and free of charge, this is place is beyond cool. Keep an eye on the weather if you're in a tent or a tall rig though, wind storms can roll in quickly and are incredibly strong (see the cool part about camping on a cliff turn into a potential disaster) so just stay aware. 100% worth it. Also, no toilets so prep for that :).

INCREDIBLE

 Very very cool.  Boo docked one night. It was definitely windy, and cool at night.  Sunset was cool, and the stars at night, so many starts to see.  Glad we experienced it.

Awesome experience

Gets windy at night. Definitely a lot of people but did not seem crowded and could find a place even in the late evening when I arrived.

Unreal views

The road to get here is dirt and quite a few potholes, but the view and freedom is so worth it.  You can pretty much park anywhere.  Right up next next to the drop off or a little back from the road.  It is windy, but it also keeps the bugs away.  I will be back!

What a cool place!

Awesome campsite. Easy to miss the turn. If coming from Wall, it’s on the left before you hit the “entering badlands” sign - &amp; up a long dirt road. 

Awesome place & FREE

Make sure to take the entrance in farther from Wall, I found 2 coordinates given to turn in while searching on The Dyrt. While we visited the winds did pick up to 50+ mph and it was quite scary! For the convenience of the location with great Verizon service, you can’t beat it! Free and fabulous views. We have a 37 foot fifth wheel and beware the road can be bumpy and uneven but it doesn’t last too long. Would be great to get out and bike to scout for a spot, it can and does get busy! 

The views are truly breathtaking!  

Right outside Badlands National Park (maybe the most underrated National Park in the country) and perched on the edge of a cliff, this place is surreal.  The views are incredible. This wind is ferocious and mostly constant, but it's worth it.  We were serenaded to sleep by coyotes.  

The road in is a little sketchy but 4wd probably isn't required. Low clearance vehicles may have problems but with some guts you can probably make it.

Loved the experience and the view of the badlands.

Great views!!

Very easy to find and drive to. Right outside the badlands. Awesome view right outside your camp. Windy. 

Awesome Spot

This spot is just breathtaking! Rolled in at 7pm and there was plenty of space even though there must be 50 campers here. People were friendly and respectful, only 1 generator running and mostly people just enjoying the amazing view.

Amazing!

Amazing views. Campsites go as far as you can see along a cliff overlooking the Badlands about 5 minutes from park entrance. I’d suggest arriving later afternoon to make sure you can find a flatter spot with the best view. 

The BEST Campsite

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay on The Wall...dispersed camping is what you make of it, good and bad.  If you time things right, you can find a breathtaking site here that will stay in your memory forever.  Drive 6-7 miles south of Wall on 240, make a left where you see a cattle guard and cell towers.  Drive up to the Wall and pick a site, there are many to choose from.  The ones on the Wall side give better views but tighter space and the potential for kids to fall.  The prairie side can still give you great views and more space to spread out.  Drive the Badlands loop and do some hikes and see wildlife.  Do the obligatory stop at Wall Drug in town.  The grocery at the south end of town has a surprisingly good selection of items and the staff is great.  The ranger/visitor center at the south end of the downtown Wall strip will give you current info on staying on The Wall and a map.  It can get VERY windy, and we also had the wind literally flip direction during our stay, so be prepared for robustly staking things down and not depending on the wind break of your camper or vehicle because of the shifts.  There is ZERO shade.

One of the best campgrounds ever, but the secret is out and can be windy.

This is a dispersed camping location.  The only ameneties are what you bring.  The view is great.  Any size RV can make it down the dirt road.  Most every camp location will require the RV to be leveled.  Arrive in early afternoon so you can select your most desirable location.  Easiest directions to area is to go south on 240 off of I90 at Wall, SD.  Drive for approximately 7 mi and look to the east.  You will see the RVs on the rim.

Badlands Boondocking Area

We had a great time car camping on the Wall of the Badlands. It was about 90+ degrees during the day, but by the time we found a spot and got settled, it was much cooler. It was great to see the sunrise from our spot on the wall. 

Great spot after exploring the Badlands

Beautiful views, and amazing sunrises.  LOTS of RV’s with generators running, but space is abundant so you can get away from the for the most part.

Lots of RV’s

While my husband needs to work on this trip, we have to carefully consider internet connectivity, I am here to unwind and relax. Time for a nap, a hike, reading a book, or just staring off over the wall into the badlands from where we picked to camp. 

Perfect place to relax

This dispersed sight has been on our radar for several years. Every type RV can access this area with just a little effort. We are in a 35’ TT and had no problem accessing an epic spot. 

Dream come true

This spot was very beautiful, it is on top of a cliff that overlooks the outstanding rock formations. There were multiple other RVs parked around the area but there was still plenty of room to camp out at. We arrived around 7pm and there was still a large amount of space left.

Only con: very windy and gets colder at night. 

Amazing view and super easy spot to get to

First time at this place found a good spot with a good view. Would come back and stay here again. 

Nice place to camp

We found plenty of parking even on Labor Day. The views were outstanding and we even got to enjoy the stars at night since there is no light pollution from towns. Road was a little roughy at times and there are a few steep hills so be prepared for those. This is boondocking at its best. I’m sure we will be back soon. 

Perfect View

Talk about wide open spaces!

I could see how tent camping could be rough here in heavy winds, but I got lucky during my stay. 

Incredible spot on a plateau overlooking the Badlands. 

Epic sunrises and sunsets, but no shade during the day! 

Just outside of the park boundary, so great basecamp for Badlands exploration.

One of the Coolest Dispersed Areas I've Experienced!

Great place to spend the night, right outside the north entrance to to badlands national park. Ton of Ridgeline spots for RV/van camping, not so many even spots. It was too windy for my RTT on the ridge, ended up spending the night in the basin. 

Insane views 

The only negative I have to say is it does get really crowded (the reason for 4 stars)!!! They views are amazing, it is quiet. Close to the Badlands National Park and of course Wall Drug

(Visited August 18-21)
This is a very popular spot and it isn't hard to see why. The views are spectacular and it's so close to the Badlands NP. The wall is rather expansive, so it's not hard to find a spot, even if you pull in after dark like we did. The downside is there are many generators running, and if you don't have a toilet inside a vehicle, it can be hard to find privacy in daytime without being in view of someone, as it is very flat and there's nothing to duck away behind. We heard coyotes howling, and the weather was a mix of sunny and clear, windy, big storms, and chilly, so if you're in a tent, make sure you're prepared for a variety of conditions. All of this is worth it if you're on a budget or didn't make a reservation in time. Plus, Wall Drug is right there and I mean come on, what an American gem. 

Amazing View

We were on “The Wall” dispersed camping near the tall antennas south of Wall, SD, just off Hwy 240. Plenty of room for everyone. No services, no cost. Gorgeous scenery. 

Stunning sunrises!

It was too windy for my husband and I to stay here, however it was an amazing view and beautiful spot. Lots of people camp here, so you feel safe, but plenty of areas to pick your own spot along the wall 

Amazing Views!!!

Stayed here in our car 9/18 and the place was pretty busy even later in the year. But still tons of space along the road that spans the cliffs of the badlands. The entrance road had some deep holes that were a little tricky for our smaller Scion XB but we made it just fun. 

The views are definitely worth it!

Winds can be a factor here, we were glad we were in our car because a storm blew in very quick and the winds were up to 65 mph. The purple that were in tents had to quickly get into their vehicles. A little scary.

Go here, you'll love it.

Fantastic views and plenty of space

One of the most magical locations,  coul not find a better place. 

Magical location 

Easy to find, plenty of spots, and amazing views! 
Not to be missed. 15 minutes to Wall Drug which should be done once in your life. 

Amazing! 

Super easy spot to find and camp out while traveling for the night, wouldn’t want to spend more than that here, but it’s perfect to bunk up and get off the road. Plus you’ll wake up to beautiful sunrises and amazing views in the morning. Just too windy to consider camping for a few days. 

Beautiful view, easy access, hella windy 

A great spot very close to the Badlands. Lots of open space for everyone. Like others have mentioned, the wind does get pretty intense. The sunrise view was incredible!

The Wall

My wife and I spent two nights here with our Lab and wished we had spent at least two more. It’s a bit bumpy getting in and out, but we were able to do it with a standard SUV and 22ft Airstream. Go for it, it’s worth it!

Sunrise or sunset, views you’ll never forget!

We arrived as it was getting dark and it was kind of hard to find. You turn off the highway and cross a cattle guard into an open field. The taillights of RVs helped us to see it. It was pretty busy but there is a large area you can camp in. It’s a really cool place and an awesome place to see the stars.

Neat place to stay 

Drove out in the dark, road was a little bumpy to start but easy to find for being pitch black and our first time. Very cold and windy but worth it for the view. Highly recommend and we would absolutely come back!

Amazing stop 

Spent the better part of a week here, it was absolutely incredible! Amazing views, tons of wildlife, and only a few minutes drive from Badlands NP entrance! Relatively close to Wall as well if you need supplies. The road in was a little rough and uneven in spots, but totally doable even in a low-clearance rig. Tons of Class A's and large tow-behinds. Verizon service was amazing. Would 1000% stay again!

Unbelievable location!

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!!

Amazing location for Badlands National Park

There are probably 50 spots on the bluffs overlooking the badlands, with probably 100 more on the other side of the road. This seems to be a pretty popular area for boondocks, but most days there shouldn't be a problem finding a spot.

The road was dry, but there were some pot holes coming in.
 Most of the sites are fairly flat with great views of the badlands
Overall, a pretty nice place to stay.

Lots of sites overlooking the badlands

Great views and surprisingly quiet.  Many of the sides are not level so bring something to level your rig 

Great place 

We stayed here 2 nights. Lots of spots available on both sides of the road. No facilities, pack in and out. Beautiful to walk along the road. It stormed the first night and you could hear the thunder rumbling across the prairie. Getting to the spot we saw lots of wildlife. Highly recommend this spot!

Best boondocking 

I camped on the ridge in the South Dakota grasslands. I was able to look out my front door and see the badlands or or see the grasslands out my rear window. The best information I can pass on is that the closest laundromat is in wall next to the ace hardware. And the closest dump station is sleepy Hollow RV campground also in wall. For a dump and fill it’s $20 ￼

Dispersed camping South Dakota grasslands

That's right it was amazing it was free but it was raw￼. We camped right on the edge realize that might not be a good idea with the storms that came through we certainly didn't want to get rolled over so we moved off the edge the wind comes up and blows dust in your face. It is a windy place the two nights we stayed and of course storms both nights. but like I said it was amazing￼ Waking up to those views. Watching thunderstorms roll in the distance. Was priceless

One of the most amazing camping spots ever

Extremely scenic disbursed camping just south of Wall, and just on the north side of Badlands. Great free spot to drive in, no hookups or facilities, but close to cell towers w/data service on Verizon. Overall incredible.

Incredible and Impossible to Regret

It’s gorgeous, but everyone knows it. RV’s every 30 yards all along the Wall

Gorgeous views, not all that dispersed

If you are going to the Badlands camp here. It is windy and we weathered a couple of thunderstorms that were pretty intense, but the views are amazing and there is are cool hiking spots to explore. As other reviews have noted, there are a lot of people camping there. However we were there on a Sunday-Tuesday and had plenty of space and it was quiet. The sunsets are amazing and you have an outstanding view of the grasslands in one side and Badlands features on the other. 

Gorgeous 

The vistas are amazing but the word is out and campers are nearly bumper to bumper in areas.  Also, there are clear trails where people have walked out on narrow ridges but to their peril.  The cliffs are steep and the draws are deep.

As I type this, search and rescue teams including climbers and helicopter are on site to rescue a person who took the risk of heading out on a ridge and fell. 

Beautiful but crowded and dangerous 

Plenty of places to pitch a tent. Super quiet 



Perfect place to camp

Lots of places to park and sleep, rv, tent etc. We slept right under the stars with a blanket and sleeping bags. No bugs other than a moth here and there. Cows got a bit close so heard them all night along with the coyotes. Other than that it's super quiet.

Right under the stars

One of the best if not the best spot to stay at the badlands if boondocks is fine with you. Never will be fill here but best views along the Cliffside will be taken.

Great place. Poop everywhere though

The views are beautiful and the area is quiet and secluded, overall would be a great boondocking location if you have an RV. For a rooftop tent camper like myself, it is extremely exposed and windy. No shade whatsoever. 

Incredibly windy 

We loved this place. Easy to find and drive out to. Only 5-10 minutes of the main road entering badlands and from Wall. The drive in is pretty smooth and though there will be other campers, there’s room for everyone. The cell service was also strong which was an added bonus. There’s a friendly heard of cows who wander through and at night the coyotes howl.  It can be pretty windy, but with the summer heat we enjoyed it. Highly recommend a trip out here! 

Minimum effort for maximum views!

I arrived around 7 p.m. and setup my table and chair to enjoy the view with a glass of wine. It was a beautiful cloud-free evening. The wind was blowing at 15-20 mph and I thought…what’s the big deal? I prepared dinner for my dog and a late supper for me. Then it happened. Out of nowhere lightning, thunder, and hurricane force winds accompanied by hellacious hail(gravel size). We were rocking back and forth in a frightening way. I went out to lower the jacks on my Artic Fox to help stabilize the camper and was pummeled by hail. I didn’t have time to rescue the Starlink receiver, and I was sure it was a goner. I also thought the truck and the camper would both sustain some serious damage. My dog was terrified and so was I. Things finally calmed down and we were able to fall asleep only to be awakened again about 4 a.m. with an encore of the show. BTW, Rescue Remedy is helpful to my dog in anxiety situations like this. When I went out in the morning to survey the damage I was shocked to find Starlink receiver in place and the truck and camper unscathed.

  

 I have a friend who travels with a sail boat towed by his truck camper. He has an anemometer and measured wind gusts here when he stayed here on 7/3 at 103 mph….yikes. I am including his photo of a pop up next to his site that was destroyed the night they were here. I know we are requested to only upload our own photos, but I think this is important for future campers to be aware of.

Lived Up To Its Reputation!

Just before entering the Badlands official entrance is a side road leading up to a ridge. Expect a breeze to winds that can be forceful so tie things down. I got lucky and had a beautiful sunset, light breeze, and warm but not too warm of temps. Lots of spots to chose from but first come first serve boondocking. I can see the interstate from here but can’t hear it making it a great stop over spot when traveling. Highly recommend!

Pretty Impressed

The views here are stunning! It’s an easy drive off a gravel road super close to badlands and wall drug. You defiantly won’t be alone, but there’s plenty of room for everyone. 

Awesome boondocking!

This spot is very well known, so expect it to be busy. I went when it was cold out in May, and still we struggled to find a spot far away from others. The views are incredible, so I didn’t mind sacrificing space and privacy. It is very open and has no shade, so be prepared to be pretty exposed. Perfect spot for visiting the badlands. 

Busy but Great Views

This has to be one of the best spots in America. The view and accessibility is incredible. 

Plan well when driving back here if windy or rainy. Lots of ruts where you can see folk of yesteryears getting stuck. 

Dog friendly. Not sure on generators though. We didn’t hear anyone else running theirs but other friends said they heard generators all night just a few nights earlier. So we skipped ours out of courtesy but we paid for it with the fridge rising to temp and not being able to charge our medical equipment. It was just so quiet we didn’t want to be the ones to disrupt that peace. Even though ours it a quiet version. 

All in all it’s beautifully temped and breezy at night, but gets hot during the day. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you pull off the road and go through the teal-ish green gates. Making a left is not as fruitful - go right once approaching the cliff road and you’ll find plenty of spaces! 

Most Amazing Camping

Love, love, love this place! Park right along The Wall for the most incredible views. Just a mile from the entrance to Badlands National Park and 7 miles from the town of Wall, SD (home of the famous Wall Drug store).
We stayed here for 4 nights and it was the perfect base camp for us to go see Badlands, Wall Drug, Mount Rushmore, and Deadwood.
Go to sleep to the sounds of coyotes and wake up to bighorn sheep just feet away from your RV!

Boondocking With a View

Must see

Small fire pit, dusty, no grass , lots of places for people to park with RV’s and fifth wheels. 

Beautiful sunset 

We stayed for 3 days. Plenty of spots to camp. Very peaceful. 14 day limit.

Awesome

We absolutely loved staying here!  We only staid one night because of the high heat temp 100 degrees.  We could have staid longer, but .... we decided to keep on going.  There are some down, up, down, up hills as you are coming into the boon docking area.  Don't let that stop you, however, be prepared.  Go slow. Nothing will ever match this experience.  We heard coyotes, saw an awesome sunset and enjoyed peace and quiet.  Wind was of no concern.  We appreciated the wind!  Easy drive to the Badlands and Wall.  We will never forget this epic day, night and sunrise.

This is a super awesome place to camp.  RIGHT ON THE RIM of the badlands. 

This dispersed campsite has a stunning north-facing view (depending on the angle you park) with the gap right below you. Honestly, don’t even bother paying to get into the National park unless you’re passionate about seeing Buffalo up close.

  

Not too crowded, got to 26 degrees in mid April (so pack for the weather!)

Beautiful, unobstructed view right on the gap

Completely unobstructed view of the Buffalo gap. After turning onto the main road for the site (gravel, potholes), you’ll come up to the gap. There isn’t a bad place to park, but we parked about 500 yards along the gap to the left after the road meets it. Stunning view.

  

We stayed overnight mid April- it got down to 26 degrees so dress for the weather! The landscape is unforgiving (windy, no shade, etc.) Water is key!

Stunning view, plenty of places to park.

Camping at “The Wall” is an amazing experience! Waking up to miraculous views and ending your days with stunning sunsets is truly what camping is all about. Here at The Wall, you are camping on a cliff that runs along the Badlands. Prairie on one side, the badlands on the other. 

The site is about 6-8 miles from the town of Wall, so while you are in a remote area, you still have ready access to food, shopping, and gas if you need it. Wall Drug is also pretty cool and worth a stop.

You are about 15-20 minutes away from the Minuteman Missile Museum, which is an awesome place to visit. There are three sites, so make sure you take the time to see them all. Some of the staff at the Visitors Center actually worked the facility during the Cold War and have tons of information to share.

You are (obviously) very close to the Badlands NP, one of the entrances is a stones throw from the Boondocking area. 

Pro tips: Most of the Boondocking area is not level, and the ground is a soft-ish volcanic soil. Bring wooden planks to level your rig and use as Jack pads as the Lego levelers will sink. Also plan to be really out of level, up to 6” off on some sites. 

It’s a cool area, but the roads in the Boondocking area are dirt, not level, steep in places, and full of potholes. Be very careful driving in as it can be very hard to see the potholes, and they are pretty serious.

Amazing Boondocking area

Only drove by and checked it out, looked amazing, everyone we talked to said it was so fun to be camping up on the cliff. Wish I had known about it before we made reservations to camp in interior. Definitely will be staying there next time we go through SD. 

Beautiful 

The views are amazing and the sunset is beyond words.  There was minimal wind and the temperature was tolerable.  Glad I made this stop.

Breathtaking 

This beautiful place overlooks the badlands. We entered on the second road right by the cell tower. We heard that turning left at the wall was a smoother route. Even though the place was full we kept going and found plenty of spots to camp. We choose one opposite the edge but it was too small and angled for someone to camp there. This gave us a perfect spot to set up our chairs and enjoy the view. 
This is dispersed camping so there are no services. Pack in/pack out is important. This also means that folks have dogs off leash but they were respectful of keeping their dogs away from our reactive dog. 
This is a beautiful, free gem of a place to stay at. 

Photos of Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping

Real photos from real campers