Badlands National Park Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Badlands National Park. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Badlands Premium Hard Top Van Tour - Private

• Wildlife Biologist's Field Expedition: The Badlands Uncovered

• Private Tour of the Badlands with Local Experts

• Shared Badlands and Wall Drug Store Experience

Entrance fees at Badlands National Park are US$30 per vehicle, US$25 for a motorcycle, or US$ 15 per person if you arrive on foot or by bicycle. There are lots of budget-friendly tours that can make the most of your visit, too—full-day guided tours generally start around US$291.

Yes, Badlands National Park is worth visiting. Its landscape of eroded rock formations, spires, and canyons is ruggedly beautiful, and resident bison and bighorn sheep browse the park's sweeping grasslands. The park also has a wealth of fossils, which number among the ancient artifacts in the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.

Per one customer who booked the Shared Badlands and Wall Drug Store Experience, "This was a terrific way to see the unique area that is the Badlands. Our guide, Charlie, was knowledgeable, fun and had so much history and Native American lore to share. We only had one day, and this was the perfect way to maximize our time and get the most out of the park."

A weekend is enough for a leisurely drive through Badland National, but those hoping to tack on some outdoor adventures should plan for three days or more. This allows time to soak up the beauty of the Badlands at sunset, camp under the stars, and embark on a short backpacking trip.

September or October are the best months to experience ideal weather at Badlands National Park. In fall, temperatures are cooler and the crowds are thinner than in summer, allowing you to get unobstructed views of this picturesque location.

You can drive the 39-mile (63-kilometer) Scenic Byway in Badlands National Park—including photo stops—in a couple of hours. However, if you're interested in hiking the trails further into the terrain, you may need to add a day or two to fully experience the area and its beauty.

For an overview of South Dakota's Badlands National Park, drive the Scenic Bypass Loop—a self-driving loop that passes through some of the best parts of the park. Stop at the Pinnacles Overlook and Yellow Mounds Overlook for dramatic views of jagged rocks, then head off on the Notch Trail hike, famous for its log ladder.

Be prepared for extreme weather, especially in summer and winter. Badlands National Park has a harsh desert climate, so pack seasonally appropriate layers and gear and bring enough water. Also, keep your eyes peeled for the park's unique wildlife, including bison, bighorn sheep, and coyotes—especially early in the morning.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Badlands National Park. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in South Dakota:

• Mount Rushmore National Memorial

• Custer State Park

• Black Hills

• Cosmos Mystery Area

• Historic Adams House

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in South Dakota.