The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These
striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds.
Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect
an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs,
and black-footed ferrets live today.

The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today.

## 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)

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>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.</p>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>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 <a href="https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/night-sky-badl.htm" rel="nofollow">night sky</a> 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.</p><p>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.</p><h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>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 <a href="https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/night-sky-badl.htm" rel="nofollow">night sky</a> 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.</p><p>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.</p><h2>Natural Features</h2>
<p>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.</p>

<h2>Contact Info</h2>
This location is staffed. Please call (605) 910-9246 to speak with local staff.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<ul>
<li>Ben Reifel Vistor Center</li>
<li>Cedar Pass Lodge</li>
<li>Minuteman National Historic Site</li>
<li>Prairie Homestead </li>
<li>Wall Drug</li>
<li>Mount Rushmore (1 hour, 45 mins)</li>
<li>Custer State Park (1 hour, 45 mins)</li>
</ul>

Badlands National Park

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Cedar Pass Campground