How To Spend 2 Days In Badlands National Park

Planning a visit to Badlands National Park and wondering what to do?

This underrated park completely surprised me with its otherworldly landscapes, wide-open views, and unexpected wildlife sightings. I recently spent two full days exploring the park and was blown away by how much there is to do here, whether you’re hiking through dramatic rock formations, watching the sunrise over colorful canyons, or spotting bison and bighorn sheep from the road.

Below is exactly how I spent two days in Badlands National Park, with practical tips, favorite stops, and everything I recommend if you’re visiting for the first time.

2 Days In Badlands National Park

Day 1

Prairie Homestead

Our first stop of the day was Prairie Homestead, located just outside the park. This is a preserved sod house and farmstead that offers a peek into pioneer life in the 1900s.

It’s a quick stop and worth it if you’re into history or want to imagine what it was like to homestead in such a rugged place. If you’re short on time though, skip this one.

Big Badlands Overlook

Next up was Big Badlands Overlook. This viewpoint was our first real introduction to the park’s dramatic landscape, you’ll look out on jagged badlands, colorful layers, and wide-open views. 

It was stunning, but also crowded on a weekend, so we quickly moved on to our first hike, Door Trail.

Door Trail

I loved this little trail. You start follow a short boardwalk for .25 miles, then the path opens up and you can roam around the badlands freely. The landscape feels like another planet, and with all that open space, even a busy day didn’t feel crowded. 

It’s a short hike but we wandered around for about an hour just soaking it all in, it was the perfect way to get acquainted with the park.

Notch Trail

From the same parking lot we headed over to Notch Trail, one of the park’s most famous hikes.

The 1.5 mile trail winds through a dramatic canyon before opening up to a jaw-dropping viewpoint over the White River Valley. I couldn’t stop taking photos, it was hands down the most beautiful hike we did in the park.

A heads up though: Notch Trail isn’t for everyone. There’s a steep wooden ladder and some narrow ledges. I’m afraid of heights and going down the ladder was… not my favorite. 

Most people will be fine, but if you have mobility issues or fear of heights, you should skip this one.

Note: Window Trail is also accessible from this same parking lot, it’s a quick .25 mile hike that’s worth checking out as well.

Cliff Shelf Trail

For the final hike of the day we followed a short 0.5-mile loop that winds through a juniper-filled grove and climbs wooden stairs to a scenic overlook of the Badlands Wall.

It’s a great option if you want a quick hike with rewarding views. Just note there are quite a few stairs, so while it’s short, it’s not entirely flat.

Ben Reifel Visitor Center

After a few hikes, we wrapped up the afternoon at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.

It has a great museum exhibit and Fossil Preparation Lab, plus helpful park rangers if you have any questions about trail conditions or wildlife sightings.

Town Of Wall & Wall Drug

At this point we needed to exit the park for a bit to check into our hotel and explore the town a bit.

After checking into our hotel we made a stop at Wall Drug, a massive Western-themed shopping center that has become a roadside icon.

Here you’ll find souvenir shops, art galleries, and quirky photo ops… it’s touristy but fun. We spent about 45 minutes here but probably could’ve stayed longer if we had the time.

Sunset At Pinnacles Overlook

After popping into town, we headed back into the park for sunset at Pinnacles Overlook, and it was absolutely magical. 

Golden hour here is something special, the way the light hits the formations makes everything glow. From the viewpoint we also saw bighorn sheep nearby and a ton of buffalo in the distance.

This viewpoint does get a bit crowded at sunset, but there was plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the view. It’s best to arrive early if you want to snag a good spot though.

Oh, and don’t forget to bring a jacket, the temperature drops quickly after the sun sets.

Day 2

Sunrise At Big Badlands Overlook

Day two started early with a 4:30 am wake up call so we could catch sunrise from Big Badlands Overlook. 

This spot had been packed the day before, but at sunrise? Almost empty. And completely breathtaking. 

The sky lit up in deep reds and oranges, and the badlands formations looked like they were glowing, you can really see their color at this hour. This was easily one of my favorite moments of the entire trip, I’d happily wake up at 4:30 am for a view like this again.

For more non-hiking things to do in the park, check out Top Things To Do In Badlands National Park Besides Hiking.

Saddle Pass Trail To Castle Trail & Medicine Root Loop

After a quick car picnic for breakfast, we headed to Saddle Pass Trail, planning to connect it with Castle Trail and Medicine Root Loop. Together these trails are over 10 miles, but you can easily modify and shorten your route, as we had planned to do. 

The scramble up Saddle Pass was steep and rocky, really fun but also a bit intense. Once we got to the top, the trail conditions were pretty rough: muddy, overgrown, and hard to follow. We turned back after about a mile. Still, it was beautiful and worth attempting if the conditions are better during your visit.

Fossil Exhibit Trail & Castle Trail

From there we visited Fossil Exhibit Trail, a short, family-friendly boardwalk filled with infographics about ancient creatures that once roamed the area. 

Across from Fossil Exhibit Trail, we rejoined Castle Trail (the hike we’d bailed on earlier) — mostly out of curiosity. To our surprise, the conditions were much better on this side, so we wandered a bit and soaked in the views.

Castle Trail is one of the park’s longest and most scenic hikes, stretching about 10 miles round-trip. It’s relatively flat and takes you through some of Badlands’ more subtle landscapes. It’s also way easier to access the trail from this spot than from Saddle Pass.

Overlooks, Wildlife, & Badlands Loop Road

We continued our drive along Badlands Loop Road, making frequent stops to look for wildlife. 

We spotted bighorn sheep in the distance and a kind visitor let us borrow his binoculars to get a closer look. (Note to self: bring binoculars next time!)

Some of our favorite overlooks were:

• Big Foot Pass Overlook
• Panorama Point
• Conata Basin Overlook
• Yellow Mounds Overlook

The overlooks can get a bit redundant but the views are so beautiful, I was happy to make lots of stops. Also, Yellow Mounds has a fun hill you can climb for an even better view, it’s perfect for stretching your legs.

We had intended to stop at Pinnacles Overlook for lunch, but at this point in the afternoon it was very crowded so we made our way to Hay Butte Overlook instead (located just off Sage Creek Rim Road).

By luck we snagged a parking spot at this pretty overlook above the badlands. Here we enjoyed a late lunch while watching bighorn sheep navigate the badlands below us.

Note: Across our two days in the park we saw a lot of bison and bighorn sheep near the intersection of Badlands Loop Road and Sage Creek Rim Road.

Sage Creek Rim Road

Hay Butte Overlook, which I just mentioned above, is the first stop along Sage Creek Rim Road, a well-maintained dirt road that eventually leads you out of the park to Highway 44, which is where we were headed next.

The drive winds through open prairie and isn’t quite as scenic as other parts of the park, so I wouldn’t call it a must-see. But since it was already on our route, it worked out just fine. Keep your eyes peeled for bison out here though, they’re known to hang around this area!

Roberts Prairie Dog Town

Aside from Hay Butte Overlook, our only stop on Sage Creek Rime Road was Roberts Prairie Dog Town, a fun and quick stop where you can watch prairie dogs pop in and out of their burrows. They’re very cute and super active during the day.

Scenic Ghost Town

Our final stop was Scenic Ghost Town, located just outside the park. I’d heard a lot about this one, but honestly, it wasn’t my favorite. 

It felt a bit unloved and was littered with trash during our visit. Maybe I’m spoiled by ghost towns in my home state of Colorado or maybe it was just a bad day. Still, it’s close to the park and easy to visit, so check it out and decide for yourself.

Badlands National Park Entry Fee & Reservations

The Private Vehicle Pass for Badlands National Park is $30, which covers 7 days in the park.

There’s modified pricing for pedestrians and motorcycles, and the park accepts all America The Beautiful Passes.

No park reservations are required at this time.

Parking & Getting Around

Parking is available at all trailheads, overlooks, and visitor centers, and while some lots get quite crowded, we were able to find parking most of the time. 

Badlands Loop Road is the main scenic route connecting most of the park’s attractions. It’s easy to get around, just be prepared to drive slowly, there’s ample wildlife, scenic views, and lots of spots you’ll want to stop for photos.

There is no park shuttle in Badlands National Park.

Weather In Badlands National Park

The weather here can be extreme and unpredictable. Summers are hot and dry with temps often in the 90°Fs, while spring and fall bring cooler mornings and occasional wind. 

We visited in early fall and had mild weather but still experienced strong wind at times, and overnight rain created poor hiking conditions the next morning.

Always check the forecast before heading out.

Summer: Hot and dry during the day (80° – 100°F), but early mornings and evenings can be breezy and cooler. Afternoon thunderstorms and lightning are common, especially in July.
Fall: Crisp mornings and mild afternoons (50°s – 70°Fs), with beautiful hiking conditions and fewer crowds. Wind can pick up quickly.
Winter: Cold, snowy, and quiet. Highs are often in the 20°s – 40°Fs, and some roads or trails may close due to snow or ice.
Spring: Cool and unpredictable (40°s – 60°Fs). Snow is still possible in early spring, and trails can get very muddy after storms.

What To Wear & Pack

You don’t need any special gear in Badlands National Park, comfortable athletic wear or basic hiking gear will do. But don’t forget a jacket or windbreaker, even in summer, mornings and evenings can be chilly and afternoon storms are common.

Those hiking should consider bringing hiking boots, this park can get very muddy if it’s been raining.

Food options are very limited in the park, so pack lunch and snacks. And as always, it’s important to bring plenty of water.

Also be sure to also bring binoculars for wildlife viewing.

Below are items I’d pack in summer or early fall:

• Shorts or lightweight pants
• Tank top or t-shirt
• Light weight long sleeve shirt or fleece
• Rain jacket or windbreaker
• Closed toe shoes
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Reusable water bottle
• Snacks/ lunch
• Binoculars

Those hiking should also consider bringing:

• Hiking boots with good traction
• Wool socks
• Hiking poles
• Backpack
• Small first aid kit

Winter and spring visitors, add insulated layers, waterproof boots, gloves, and a warm hat.

Where To Stay In (& Near) Badlands National Park

If you want to stay inside the park, Cedar Pass Lodge has cozy cabins with epic views, but they book out well in advance, so plan ahead!

The town of Wall is just minutes from the park entrance and offers the most convenient lodging options. We stayed at a Hansen Inn & Cabins and found it to be perfect for our needs.

For my full hotel guide, check out Top Hotels Near Badlands National Park.

Those interested in camping, you’ve got a few in-park options:

• Cedar Pass Campground – Developed, with restrooms, and located near the visitor center. Reservations required, book at Recreation.gov.
• Sage Creek Campground – Primitive camping. First-come, first-served, spots are limited and fill quickly.

Additional Tips For Visiting

Cell service is spotty at best, so download your maps and trail info before you arrive. 

Always give wildlife plenty of space, especially bison, they may look docile, but they can be unpredictable and dangerous.

And do not feed the wildlife, not even the cute little ones. Feeding wild animals alters their natural behavior and can be dangerous for them and you.

Pets are allowed in developed areas of the park only — like campgrounds, picnic spots, parking lots, and along roads, but not on any hiking trails, in public buildings (visitor centers), or in backcountry zones, including prairie dog colonies.

Trail conditions can vary dramatically here, moisture creates very muddy trails, so keep an eye on the forecast and allow some flexibility in your schedule if planning to hike.

Whether you’re into hiking, photography, or just driving around to spot wildlife, this park has something for everyone, and two days felt like the perfect amount of time to see the highlights without feeling super rushed.

I hope you’ve found this helpful in planning your 2 days in Badlands and have the best time.

Any questions? Please leave a comment below or reach out on social media.

Looking for more information? Check out my additional guides below or head over to Badlands NPS.

Additional Badlands National Park Guides:

• Things To Do In Badlands National Park (Besides Hiking)
• Top Hotels Near Badlands National Park
• 1-Day Itinerary In Badlands National Park

Additional Dakota Guides:

• 10-day Dakotas Road Trip Itinerary
• North Dakota Guides