Go West Young Man- And Did I Ever!

Saw a variety of wildlife, and most exciting was to view buffalo grazing. A sidetrip to the Wall, SD was a journey back in time. It was based on the old west. It was cool!

Quick Tips:

The biggest tip to portray would be to be more prepared with the surroundings as the different things to see outdo a vacation when not pre-planned.

You may contact Badlands park in advance: Badlands National Park
P.O.Box 6
Interior,S.D. 57750
phone:(605)433-5361
Fax(605)433-5404
or you may email them: badl@us-national-parks.net

Best Way To Get Around:

It is best to have visited with your own car and bigger than the small Geo Metro Convertible for which i had used for such a long journey out west. The west is one more reason to love our country even more. If the east was so spacious and beautiful, then all would be harmony!

If you want an open year round campground while watching the stars, this is one of their two campgrounds. From April to September, there is water, flush toilets and tables. After these months, only chemical toilets and water are available. So, when traveling from the direction of East, bring some tree leaves as toilet paper. LOL. Just kidding!

Laundry, service station and groceries are about 3 miles away. There are no shower facilities at all. No Kidding! The cost is $10.00 per night;with a 14 day limit, during regular season. The nearest town is Interior, S.D.

You may reserve group camping by writing to the park in advance. A 10 person group is a minumum.

Group Camping
PO Box 6
Badlands National Park
Interior, SD 57750
Fax: 605-433-5404

If not excited with camping, sleep at Wall, S.D.

Sage Creek Primitive Campgrounds is located 35 miles from the park entrance. There are pit toilets and tables. No fee is charged, 14 day maximum stay. The closest town is Wall, SD. RV camping is possible, dirt road leads to campgrounds, but the road is drivable. Access may be restricted in winter due to weather.

Backcountry camping is permitted. No fee or permit is required, but providing information to a ranger and signing trailhead logs is recommended. Backpackers may camp anywhere in the park that is at least one-half mile from any road or trail and not visible from park roads. Because only the Castle Trail strays far from the main road, most backpackers set out cross-country on routes of their own, In this case, topographic maps are strongly recommended, if not essential. In the North Unit, the 64,250 acre Sage Creek Wilderness is ideal for backpackers. Leave your car at the primitive campground, and follow Sage Creek into the wilderness.

No Open Fires are permitted due to the fire hazard risk. Carry your own stove, food and water, and bring it all out with you plus a little extra. Leave it better than you found it, please.

Room rates are between $39-$104, based on season of year. There is a restaurant adjacent to it. Coffee is available in the lobby. There's a heated outdoor pool, game room and free parking. Cold weather hook-ups. You will also find in-room coffee makers and free local phone calls and modem lines.

Room rates are between $40-$85 based on season. They have free local phone calls, and it is within walking distance of the famous Wall Drugstore. The hotel is located about 7 miles from Badlands Park. The beds are all queen size with cable with Showtime. Free coffee provided in the morning.

Room Rates here are between $59-$139 a night. They are located at the west entrance of the Badlands. Handicapped rooms/facilities, FAX, ice machine, iron, microwave, in-room movies, outdoor pool, truck parking, smoke detectors, Telephone, television with cable, TV remote control. The Inn is located close to the Wall Drug.

It is like traveling back in time to the 'Old West.' There are buildings surrounding this town that resemble the cowboys era. The concept of such a name is as weird as it gets. Although the journey was worthwhile even though the name of the town is odd. No trip to the Badlands is complete without a stop-over in Wall. The souvenirs are great too!

This is the place of a lifetime! The four presidents' faces in granite are a site to see, especially, during the morning and afternoon sun. While you are there, check out their souvenir shop. The gift ideas are endless. Once you have seen Mt. Rushmore, you have seen it all.