South Dakota trip planning
Black Hills vs Badlands: Which One Is Right for Your Trip?
Forested granite mountains on one side of Rapid City, eroded prairie buttes on the other. Here is how they compare on cost, time, and season, and how to fit both in.
Updated: October 9, 2026 | Fees and alerts checked on nps.gov
Badlands National Park sits 75 miles east of Rapid City, on the opposite side of the city from Mount Rushmore, so a Black Hills trip has to decide whether to spend a day driving out to it. The two have different rock, different weather, different fees, and different things to do on arrival. The Black Hills fill several days. The Badlands fit in a morning or a day.
Should you visit the Black Hills or the Badlands?
The Black Hills are forested granite mountains with Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, and caves. Badlands National Park is eroded prairie buttes and fossil beds, 75 miles east of Rapid City per the National Park Service. Pick the Hills for mountains, memorials, and wildlife drives, and the Badlands for geology, fossils, and sunrise light. Plan 3 or more days for the Hills and a half to full day for the Badlands. Fees: Badlands $30 per vehicle for 7 days, Mount Rushmore $10 parking, Custer State Park $25 per vehicle for 7 days. With one day, choose one. With 3 or more days, do both and make the Badlands a day trip from Rapid City.
Black Hills vs Badlands side by side
| Factor | Black Hills | Badlands National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Scenery | Pine-covered granite hills and rock spires. Black Elk Peak reaches 7,244 feet, the highest point in the U.S. east of the Rockies, per the Forest Service. | Layered buttes, canyons, and spires of soft sedimentary rock, with prairie around them. About 244,000 acres, nearly half of it barren badlands. |
| Wildlife | A free-roaming bison herd along the Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park. | NPS lists bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and many birds as common sights from Sage Creek Rim Road. |
| Hiking | Forest trails of every length, from a 0.6-mile Presidential Trail at Mount Rushmore to the climb up Black Elk Peak. | NPS lists established trails from short boardwalks to a 10-mile route. Pets are not allowed on trails. Notch Trail closed for ladder repairs on August 31, 2026; call the park to confirm it has reopened. |
| History | Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, the 1876 gold-rush town of Deadwood, and land that Indigenous nations consider sacred. | Fossil beds. The Big Pig Dig alone took 15 field seasons and recovered more than 19,000 fossils. |
| Time needed | 3 to 4 days covers the main sights without rushing. | The Loop Road drive takes 1 to 2 hours, per NPS. Count a half to a full day with stops. |
| Cost | Mount Rushmore is free, with $10 vehicle parking. Custer State Park is $25 per vehicle for 7 days. | $30 per private vehicle for 7 days, $25 per motorcycle, $15 per person on foot or bike. Card only. |
| Best season | Late May through September for full schedules. September has the best balance of weather and crowds. | Spring and fall. July highs average 92°F, and NPS records extremes from 116°F to minus 40°F. |
| Winter access | Mount Rushmore grounds stay open. Needles Highway closes at the first snow; Wildlife Loop Road stays open. | Open 24 hours except for weather closures. Cedar Pass Lodge closes October 15 and the visitor center cuts back to 9 am to 4 pm. |
| Crowds | Mount Rushmore had 1,905,649 visits in 2025 and is busiest in July. Rally week fills rooms across the Hills. | 1,139,361 visits in 2025, spread across a loop road with 10 overlooks. Heat sets the pace more than crowds. |
Fees, hours, and weather figures are from the National Park Service pages for Badlands fees and basic information. Visit counts are NPS 2025 figures, collected on our Black Hills statistics page. Monthly temperatures come from our South Dakota timing guide.
We may earn a commission if you book a hotel or tour through links on this page. It does not change your price.
The Black Hills in more detail
The Hills are a place to build days around, because the sights are spread out and each one has its own drive. Mount Rushmore is 25 miles and about 35 minutes from Rapid City, and Crazy Horse is about 17 miles past it. Our Black Hills distances guide has every leg, and the Black Hills itinerary sequences them into days.
The memorials
Mount Rushmore has no entrance fee and charges $10 for parking. Its 0.6-mile Presidential Trail has a stair section of 422 steps. Crazy Horse charges per vehicle, and the rate changes every October 1 and May 15, so check the Crazy Horse guide before you go. Read the Mount Rushmore vs Crazy Horse comparison if you can only fit one.
Custer State Park
The park charges $25 per vehicle for a 7-day license. Wildlife Loop Road is open all year, and Needles Highway closes to vehicles with the first snow and does not reopen until April 1 or later. See the Custer State Park guide for bison timing and the Buffalo Roundup.
Caves
Wind Cave stays at 54°F and Jewel Cave at 49°F year-round, so they work as cool-down stops in July. Wind Cave tours cost $6 to $45 and book 120 days ahead on Recreation.gov. Details are on the Wind Cave and Jewel Cave pages.
Hiking and towns
Black Elk Peak, at 7,244 feet, is the high point, and our Black Hills hiking guide covers the trails. Towns give you a base and a second set of sights: Keystone, Hill City, Custer, Deadwood, and Spearfish. The full list is in things to do in the Black Hills.
Elevation source: USDA Forest Service, Black Elk Wilderness.
The Badlands in more detail
The layers here were deposited starting about 75 million years ago, and the rivers began cutting them about 500,000 years ago, per the National Park Service. The visit is a scenic drive with short walks, so it fits in a morning. Our Badlands National Park guide covers the park in full.
Badlands Loop Road
SD 240 is a paved two-lane road with 10 overlooks, from Big Badlands Overlook in the east to Pinnacles Overlook in the west. NPS rates the drive at 1 to 2 hours, notes several steep passes, and keeps the road open 24 hours a day. Stop only in the pull-outs.
Sage Creek Rim Road
SD 590 is a dirt and gravel road through the Sage Creek Wilderness Area, and NPS names it for bison, bighorn, prairie dogs, and birds. It can close during or after heavy rain or snow, so call the park at 605-433-5361 first. Keep 100 feet from any animal.
Cedar Pass and the visitor center
Ben Reifel Visitor Center has exhibits and an air-conditioned theater. It runs 8 am to 5 pm from May 4 to September 26 and 9 am to 4 pm the rest of the year. Cedar Pass Lodge, the only lodging in the park, is open April 15 to October 15, per the park concessioner.
Short trails and fossils
Door, Window, Cliff Shelf, and Fossil Exhibit are short walks near the Loop Road. NPS closed Notch Trail on August 31, 2026 to repair its ladder. The closure alert was gone from the park's alert list by October 22, but no reopening notice had been posted, so call 605-433-5361 to confirm. Check current conditions before you drive out.
The Wall Drug detour
Wall sits at I-90 Exit 110, the same exit as the Pinnacles Entrance, so Wall Drug adds almost no driving to a Badlands day. Many visitors enter at Pinnacles, drive the Loop Road east, leave by the Northeast Entrance at Exit 131, and stop in Wall on the way back west.
How to do both
Every route between the two passes through Rapid City, where the I-90 road east to the Badlands meets the highways into the Hills. That makes Rapid City the natural hinge, and it gives you two workable plans.
Day trip from Rapid City
- Take I-90 east to Exit 110 at Wall, about 55 miles, then go 7 miles south to the Pinnacles Entrance.
- Drive the Loop Road east with stops at the overlooks, and walk one or two short trails.
- Leave through the Northeast Entrance at Exit 131 and stop in Wall for lunch.
- Return west on I-90. Budget at least 2 hours 10 minutes of driving round trip.
Best for a trip that stays in one Rapid City hotel.
Split the stay
Spend your Hills nights at Keystone SD hotels or Hill City SD hotels, then move east for one night in Wall or Interior and see the Badlands at sunrise and sunset. It adds a hotel change and about 80 miles of driving between bases, and it suits anyone leaving by I-90 toward Sioux Falls or Minneapolis.
Drive times by base town are in where to stay for Mount Rushmore and the Badlands.
Is the Badlands detour worth it for you?
Use these criteria. The detour costs about 2 hours 10 minutes of driving and $30 per vehicle. It makes sense if you have 3 or more days, want geology, fossils, or open-prairie photography, or are leaving by I-90 anyway. Skip it if you have 1 or 2 days, your list is Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and caves, or you are visiting in a heat wave without an early start.
Badlands tours and day trips
A guided day removes the 2-hour round trip from Rapid City. Check pickup point, admission, and cancellation terms on each listing.
We earn a commission on Viator bookings, at no extra cost to you. Check dates and final prices on Viator. Tour information collected May 15, 2026; not live availability.
Private Tour of the Badlands with Local Experts
Private tour · 9h
Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (25 reviews)
Route and experience details
The Badlands have many secrets and requires a seasoned guide to explain and reveal them. GeoFunTrek Tours' guides are local experts with decades of experience. We have no seasonal-guides, part-time guides or trainee-guides. This is a family-owned business and all tours are conducted by family members: Cindy, Christopher and John Esposti. We have the knowledge and skills to make your day one to remember. You will always get the A-Team when you tour with GeoFunTrek Tours! All tours are PRIVATE TOURS, exclusive to the group booking the tour, and no additional guests will be included. Children must be accompanied by one adult. Children 3 years and younger are free and will have their own seat. Children's car seats must be supplied by family members when required. Our vehicles are SUV's and a van may be rented for larger groups. Please enquire about vehicles if you have any questions. This tour is great for 3-generation families with Children, multiple couples and groups of friends.
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From USD 425
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Shared Badlands and Wall Drug Store Experience
Shared tour · 8h
Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (8 reviews)
Route and experience details
What makes this Badlands and Wall Drug Store tour unique is the depth of knowledge and storytelling it offers. It's not just a scenic drive, but a fully narrated experience that brings the Badlands and prairie areas to life with abundant information and captivating stories. This ensures a richer and more engaging experience compared to self-guided tours or those with less historical and cultural context, especially since it spans a substantial 7-8 hours.
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From USD 312
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Badlands Premium Hard Top Van Tour
Confirm group format · 7h
Viator snapshot: 4.8/5 (52 reviews)
Route and experience details
This tour includes all of the Badlands North Park and Wall Drug with option for Minuteman Missile Historic Site and Delta 9.
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From USD 449
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Check dates on Viator (opens in a new tab)Combined Black Hills and Badlands tours
Multi-stop itineraries that cover both areas in one booking.
We earn a commission on Viator bookings, at no extra cost to you. Check dates and final prices on Viator. Tour information collected May 15, 2026; not live availability.
Icons of the West: Black Hills & Badlands 3-Day Tour
Confirm group format · 72h
Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (6 reviews)
Route and experience details
This tour covers the three major areas of the Black Hills and Badlands. You can put down the planning, and relax as we take you to the significant points of interest. At times, we may deviate from the itinerary for some surprise visits. We can spend more or less time at each location based on your interests. Our guides are trained in a way that enhances your experience on so many levels. We care about your time here most of all and are willing to go out of our way to ensure you have an excellent experience. Photography is something we love as well, and photos will be provided at the end of each day, free of charge.
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From USD 1,995
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Dakota Highlights: Black Hills, Mt Rushmore & Badlands Audio Tour
Self-guided · 48h
Route and experience details
Discover the beauty of the Dakotas with this bundle of self-guided driving and walking tours in North and South Dakota. Pay a visit to the awe-inspiring Mount Rushmore. Cruise through the lush greenery of the Black Hills. Experience views like nowhere else in Badlands National Park. And journey through wilderness that inspired one of America’s greatest presidents in Teddy Roosevelt National Park. This bundle is the ultimate Dakota experience. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This is not an entrance ticket to attractions along the route. Check opening hours before your visit.
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From USD 40
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Check dates on Viator (opens in a new tab)Black Hills vs Badlands by season
The two places peak at different times. The Badlands run hotter than Rapid City in every month from April through October, and the Hills close more roads at the first snow. For month-by-month detail, see our best time to visit the Black Hills guide.
Spring (March to May)
Black Hills. Rapid City averages 56°F by day in April. Needles Highway reopens April 1 at the earliest. The Mount Rushmore lighting program starts in late May.
Badlands. Highs average 62°F in April. Cedar Pass Lodge opens April 15, and the visitor center returns to 8 am to 5 pm hours on May 4.
Summer (June to August)
Black Hills. July is the busiest month at Mount Rushmore, and the Sturgis Rally (August 6 to 15, 2027) fills rooms. Rapid City highs average 85°F in July.
Badlands. July highs average 92°F, with little shade. NPS warns of violent thunderstorms, hail, and the occasional tornado. Go at sunrise or late afternoon.
Fall (September to November)
Black Hills. September is the best month for most trips. The lighting program ends September 30, and Needles Highway closes with the first snow. October highs average 60°F.
Badlands. September highs average 81°F and October highs 67°F. Cedar Pass Lodge closes October 15, and the visitor center runs 9 am to 4 pm from September 27.
Winter (December to February)
Black Hills. Mount Rushmore grounds are open 6 am to 9 pm through March 9, 2027. Rapid City highs average 38°F in January.
Badlands. January highs average 34°F, and NPS cites 12 to 24 inches of snow a winter. The visitor center is closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1.
Check Badlands park alerts the morning you go. On October 22, 2026 the list no longer showed the Notch Trail closure, though NPS had not announced that repairs were finished.
Where to stay for each
Stay where you will spend the most days. Rapid City is the one-hotel answer for a trip split between the two. These are booking options, not a claim that any property has the lowest rate, so compare your dates and cancellation terms. Full lists are on Rapid City hotels and hotels near Badlands National Park.
In the Black Hills
Hill City
EverSpring Inn & Suites Hill City
Free hot breakfast, and you can walk to Hill City galleries, restaurants, and the 1880 Train.
Check dates on Expedia (opens in a new tab)Keystone
Powder House Lodge
Cabin-style lodging in the town closest to Mount Rushmore. Confirm winter dates before booking November to April.
Check dates on Expedia (opens in a new tab)In Rapid City, between the two
Rapid City
Best Western Plus Rapid City Rushmore
Free hot breakfast, an indoor pool, and free parking. A practical base when the Badlands are a day trip.
Check dates on Expedia (opens in a new tab)Downtown Rapid City
Hotel Alex Johnson, Curio Collection by Hilton
A 1927 downtown hotel with a restaurant and a rooftop bar.
Check dates on Expedia (opens in a new tab)At the Badlands
Inside Badlands National Park
Cedar Pass Lodge
The only lodging inside the park. Cabins run April 15 to October 15, so it is closed for the winter.
Check dates on Expedia (opens in a new tab)Wall
Best Western Plains Motel
Wall is about 7 miles from the Pinnacles Entrance. A chain motel with breakfast, a pool, and an easy I-90 on-ramp.
Check dates on Expedia (opens in a new tab)Hotel buttons are Expedia affiliate links.
Black Hills vs Badlands questions
What is the difference between the Black Hills and the Badlands?
The Black Hills are a forested granite uplift in western South Dakota with Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, and caves. Badlands National Park is a stretch of soft sedimentary rock carved into buttes and canyons, 75 miles east of Rapid City. NPS says the Badlands erode about an inch a year, while Black Hills granite erodes about an inch every 10,000 years.
Is the Badlands worth visiting if you are already in the Black Hills?
It depends on what you want from the trip. The Badlands cost about 2 hours 10 minutes of round-trip driving from Rapid City plus a $30 vehicle fee, and they add open prairie views, fossil exhibits, and sunrise or sunset light that the Hills do not have. With 3 or more days, or if geology and wildlife are priorities, the detour pays off. With 1 or 2 days and a list built around Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and caves, spend the time in the Hills.
Can you see the Black Hills and the Badlands in one day?
You can, but you would drive more than 3 hours: 35 minutes each way from Rapid City to Mount Rushmore, and about 1 hour 5 minutes each way to the Badlands Pinnacles Entrance. Mount Rushmore takes 1 to 2 hours and the Badlands Loop Road another 1 to 2, so the day leaves no slack. Two days works better, and a guided tour from Rapid City removes the driving.
How far is the Badlands from the Black Hills?
NPS puts Badlands National Park 75 miles east of Rapid City. The Pinnacles Entrance at I-90 Exit 110 is the closest, about 1 hour 5 minutes from Rapid City. From Mount Rushmore the Badlands are about 95 miles and 1 hour 45 minutes, per our distances guide.
Which costs more, the Black Hills or the Badlands?
Per vehicle, the Hills cost more once you add things up: Mount Rushmore parking is $10, a Custer State Park license is $25, and Crazy Horse and cave tours are extra. The Badlands are a single $30 fee that covers the whole park for 7 days. A car that does Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and the Badlands pays $65 in entry and parking fees.
Which is better in October or winter?
The Hills have more open in the cold months: Mount Rushmore grounds stay open and Wildlife Loop Road runs all year. The Badlands park stays open 24 hours except for weather closures, but Cedar Pass Lodge closes October 15, the visitor center shortens its hours, and Sage Creek Rim Road can close in snow. For a winter trip, base in Rapid City and treat the Badlands as a clear-weather day trip.