Badlands Route 240 Sightseeing Loop Road, Scenic By Way Photos

The Badlands of South Dakota, a National Park, has a 40 mile loop road through an eroded landscape.
where many pullouts offer viewing of animals and of the eroded landscape. The loop road makes a good
option for east west travelers who can leave I-90 and enjoy the Badlands Sightseeing without
backtracking. A campground and RV park make a good stop: $10 per night, $5 with Golden Age pass.
($15 vehicle entry fee).

At the western end of the Badlands Loop road you find the town of Wall and its famous Wall Drug.
Five cent coffee, home made donuts, and acres of memorabilia for the shopper.

The Badlands lies at the southwestern corner of South Dakota near enough to Mount Rushmore,
Deadwood, Keystone and Rapid City to put plenty of activity within reach. For Interstate 90
travelers it is a good diversion and with its east west loop road it makes a handy detour while still
keeping direction. Two campgrounds within the park, one suitable for RVs make Badlands a
good stop: $15 per night. ( $15 Vehicle Entry fee, $10 Motorcycle, $7 biker or hiker)
Primitive camping is without fee. Inquire about Sage Creek back country camping.

The Badlands Route 240 Loop Road

So called a Scenic by way because it allows
you to leave route I-90 and sightsee along
route 240 in The Badlands and then
connect with I-90 again.
The eroded landscape on the southwestern
corner of South Dakota called the Badlands is
a popular stop on the way to Mount
Rushmore, Deadwood, Keystone or Bike
Week in Sturgis
For Interstate 90 travelers, the 40 mile east/
west loop road will be a welcome diversion
from highway travel.

Getting to the Badlands: The nearest large city is Rapid City South Dakota. Air service
reaches Rapid City from hubs in Denver and Chicago. Rental cars are available at the
airport. From Rapid City take scenic Route 44 east to Interior and into the park on Route
377 to the National Park Visitor center and campground. An alternate route is to take
Interstate 90 east out of Rapid City to Wall and find Route 240 to the Park entrance and
loop road.

Badlands Route 240 Sightseeing, Loop
Road: Badlands Scenic By Way, Photos

The Route 240
Loop Road through
the Badlands runs
parallel to Route I-90
for forty miles.
There are many
turnouts along the road
for sightseeing and the
viewing of animals.
Trailheads start at
some of the pullouts,
others have short trails
into the eroded cliffs
offering a closer look.

. ( $15 Vehicle Entry
fee, $10 Motorcycle,
$7 biker or hiker)

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Badlands Route 240 Sightseeing turnouts on
the Loop Road, the Badlands Scenic By Way

Badlands Route 240 Sightseeing Loop Road runs
through Badlands as the Scenic By Way. The
Scenic Byway allows you to leave route I-90 and
sightsee along route 240 in The Badlands and
then connect with I-90 again.

Loop Road
Photos

How to Reach the Badlands:

Air

The nearest large city is Rapid City South
Dakota. Air service reaches Rapid City from
hubs in Denver and Chicago.

Auto

Rental cars are available at the airport. From
Rapid City take scenic Route 44 east to Interior
and the National Park campground or take
Route route 90 east to Wall and find the Park
entrance and loop road.

Best Time To Visit Badlands South Dakota: May to
October   40 f at night 65 f days
The weather is perfect June, July, August but the mid day
temperature can reach over 100 f.    Cool in May and
September, Cold and winter snows October to April
Total snow 2 feet per year.   June is a wet month.   July
and August can have thunderstorms with hail.