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Cedar Pass Campground
NPSNational Park Service — Interior · South Dakota · Badlands National Park
| Agency | NPSNational Park Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Badlands National Park |
| Location | Interior · South Dakota · Badlands National Park · 43.74500, -101.94836 · Map |
| Sites | 83 public sites counted from the federal listing — 48 rv nonelectric; 23 rv electric; 8 tent only nonelectric; 4 group standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 24 of 83 sites (up to 50 amp where reported) Water hookups at 0 of 83 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 83 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 83 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 65 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 74 sites · 30 ft: 71 sites · 35 ft: 51 sites · 40 ft: 45 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 1:00 PM · Out 11:00 AM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 83 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 2 marked accessible in the listing |
| Amenities, as reported | AmphitheaterCampground hostDrinking waterDump stationShowers |
| Phone | 605-433-5460 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
Overview Surrounded by the vast, open prairie and featuring expansive views of the Badlands, Cedar Pass Campground is a great base camp from which to explore Badlands National Park. Featuring 96 sites, this seasonal campground is open from late March through mid-October, and is conveniently located within easy walking distance of Cedar Pass Lodge & Restaurant and the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.
Recreation An evening program led by park rangers is held nightly at the Cedar Pass Amphitheater. This event runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, beginning each evening with a half-hour educational talk about the Badlands, covering a wide array of topics that change every evening. Once the educational part of the presentation finishes, the rangers begin a guided night sky viewing program. Interesting facts and features of our night sky will be explored and pointed out for you via laser, and telescopes are often provided to view star clusters, planets, and the Milky Way.
The Amphitheater parking lot is conveniently located at the entrance to Cedar Pass Campground, in easy walking distance for most campers! For evening program start times, please see the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, Cedar Pass Lodge, or the host kiosk at the campground entrance.
Facilities An evening program led by park rangers is held nightly at the Cedar Pass Amphitheater. This event runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, beginning each evening with a half-hour educational talk about the Badlands, covering a wide array of topics that change every evening. Once the educational part of the presentation finishes, the rangers begin a guided night sky viewing program. Interesting facts and features of our night sky will be explored and pointed out for you via laser, and telescopes are often provided to view star clusters, planets, and the Milky Way.
The Amphitheater parking lot is conveniently located at the entrance to Cedar Pass Campground, in easy walking distance for most campers! For evening program start times, please see the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, Cedar Pass Lodge, or the host kiosk at the campground entrance.
Natural Features Cedar Pass Campground is surrounded by prairie grasslands and Badlands buttes, or geologic formations. These formations contain sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, claystone, limestone, volcanic ash, and shale. The natural beauty of this landscape makes for stunning sunrises and sunsets, while low population density and minimal light pollution creates a beautiful night sky most evenings.
Contact Info This location is staffed. Please call (605) 910-9246 to speak with local staff. Nearby Attractions
Ben Reifel Vistor Center Cedar Pass Lodge Minuteman National Historic Site Prairie Homestead Wall Drug Mount Rushmore (1 hour, 45 mins) Custer State Park (1 hour, 45 mins)
Directions, from the listing
From Sioux Falls:
Travel west on I-90 to exit 131. Turn south onto Hwy 240, the Badlands Loop Road and enter Badlands National Park at the Northeast entrance. Travel 8 miles (13 km) to Cedar Pass Lodge, making a slight left onto Hwy 377. Cedar Pass Campground will be on your left.
From Rapid City:
Travel east on I-90 to exit 110. From exit 110, turn south onto Hwy 240, the Badlands Loop Road and enter Badlands National Park at the Pinnacles entrance. Travel 30 miles (48 km). Turn right on Hwy 377. Cedar Pass Campground will be on your left.
From Rapid City: (alternate route)
Travel east on I-90 to exit 131. Turn south onto Hwy 240, the Badlands Loop Road and enter Badlands National Park at the Northeast entrance. Travel 8 miles (13 km) to Cedar Pass Lodge, making a slight left onto Hwy 377. Cedar Pass Campground will be on your left.
Scenic Highway 44:
Travel southeast on Hwy 44 to the town of Interior and continue northeast on Hwy 377 two miles (3 km) to Cedar Pass Lodge
Nearest federal campgrounds
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75 mi straight-line · South DakotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceIron Creek Horse Camp
76 mi straight-line · South DakotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceHorsethief Lake Campground
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78 mi straight-line · South Dakota
Trip Card — Cedar Pass Campground
Interior · South Dakota · Badlands National Park
| Agency | NPS · National Park Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Interior · South Dakota · Badlands National Park |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 24 |
| Max RV | Up to 65 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 83 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10288228 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.