Cedar Pass Campground

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)

Tent: $37. Campsites for tent camping for 2 persons are equipped with a shaded picnic table. Surrounded by spectacular views of the Badlands. All sites within short walk of pay showers and bathrooms. Near amphitheater for National Park Service evening programs during the summer. Easy access to Cedar Pass Lodge and Restaurant.

RV Sites (Nonelectric): $37. Cedar Pass Campground offers RV sites with electric only service. Septic dump available nearby for $1. All sites include shaded picnic table area. A 14-night limit applies during the summer. Electric only service. No water or sewer. Campground has pay showers, flush toilets and water nearby.

RV Sites (Electric): $47. Cedar Pass Campground offers RV sites with electric only service. Septic dump available nearby for $1. All sites include shaded picnic table area. A 14-night limit applies during the summer. Electric only service. No water or sewer. Campground has pay showers, flush toilets and water nearby.

Group Campsites: $40. There are four "group" campsites that can be reserved in advance by calling(605) 433-5460. The cost is $3 per person with a minimum fee of $35. The campsites can accommodate 6-25 people accumulatively.