Cedar Pass Lodge
Located in the northwest section of Badlands on South Dakota Route 240, Cedar Pass Lodge provides Badlands National Park's only formal indoor accommodations. Only open during Badlands' peak season (from mid-April to October), Cedar Pass Lodge contains 24 cabins and a restaurant. Cabins contain bathrooms with running hot water, heat and air conditioning but are quite spartan overall. However, you will forgive the lack of luxury once you see the stunning vistas of the Badlands Wall. Cedar Pass' location gives you immediate access to the Ben Reifel Visitor Center and dozens of hikes within the wall.
Cedar Pass Camground
If you would rather sleep out in the wild, consider one of Badlands' two campgrounds. Located near Cedar Pass Lodge you will find the Cedar Pass Campground. With 96 level sites, cold running water, flushable toilets and a dump station, Cedar Pass Campground gives you the basic necessities at an affordable price ($10 per night as of 2009). The Cedar Pass Campground sits right next to the stunning formations of the Badlands Wall. Nearby hikes include the Fossil Exhibit Trail, the steep Cliff Shelf Nature Trail and the rigorous 1.5-mile-loop Notch Trail.
Cedar Pass remains open throughout the year but has limited sites available during the winter months. During the summer months, you can make reservations for group camping only, starting in March. Individual camping is first come, first served.
Sage Creek Campground
Badlands' second campground, Sage Creek, offers quite a different experience than Cedar Pass. Located in the northwest section of Badlands, Sage Creek is in the middle of the Sage Creek Wilderness Area. If you prefer wildlife viewing over intense scenic beauty, then Sage Creek is for you. Herds of bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs call this vast grassland their home and will often make their presence known to campers.
Sage Creek is free of charge (as of 2009) but unlike Cedar Pass, Sage Creek has no running water and only pit toilets. Since the Sage Creek campground is located at the end of a long dirt road, winter and spring weather may cause the road and campground to close.
