If you love rugged natural beauty, interesting geological features, and opportunities to see wild animals, Badlands National Park should be at the top of your travel bucket list. One of America’s most road trip-worthy parks, this South Dakota park is a peaceful place to go for a hike, set out on scenic drives, and admire the starry night skies.
Because of its remote location, there aren’t many options in the area for overnight accommodations. But to help you plan your trip, here’s a roundup of top places to stay near Badlands National Park if you don’t feel like camping in the wilderness.
Super 8 by Wyndham Wall - Wall
Travelers also enjoy staying at the Super 8 by Wyndham Wall near Badlands National Park when they need a comfortable home base after outdoor adventures. The Super 8 in Wall is just off of I-90 and a short drive from local attractions. This Wyndham-brand hotel offers free breakfast and coffee, free Wi-Fi, free parking, and a business center. There are cribs available for babies, hairdryers in the rooms, and a 24-hour reception desk. In addition to visiting the national park, other top sites to see nearby are the Sage Creek Wilderness Area and Buffalo Gap National Grassland (which also happens to be a top boondocking destination in the U.S.).
Badlands Frontier Cabins - Wall
If you’d like more of a cabin experience for your trip to South Dakota’s Badlands, consider booking accommodations at Badlands Frontier Cabins. There are 33 custom-built log cabins here with modern amenities. Each cabin has its own private bath and is serviced by housekeeping staff. It is just six miles from the cabins to the entrance of the national park. Wall Drug is six blocks away, and restaurants, a lake for fishing, and a golf club are nearby. All of the rooms have refrigerators, microwaves, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and heat. Pet-friendly cabins are available for a fee of $50 per pet per night.
Best Western Plains Motel - Wall
Best Western Plains Motel is close to the Badlands, Minuteman Missile Site, and Mount Rushmore, all of which are fabulous things to do when in South Dakota. Guests staying here will enjoy the daily complimentary full breakfasts with waffles, pastries, yogurt, fruit, juices, and coffee. There is a golf course near the motel and rodeo and parade festivities in July. The hotel rooms come with free Wi-Fi, in-room coffee, and ironing supplies. The hotel is pet-friendly, and there is a pool. If you’d like to bring your pup along, up to two dogs (weighing 80 pounds or less) can stay in a room for a rate of $30 per day.
Cedar Pass Lodge - Interior
Cedar Pass Lodge dates back to 1926 and was the first establishment in this area that later became designated as Badlands National Park. It is located just down from the Bed Reifel Visitor Center and is the only lodging available inside the park. The lodge has cabins and camping options for visitors, as well as a gift shop and restaurant. You can book a cabin here that is Gold Level LEED certified and eco-friendly. The new cabins resemble the original 1928 cabins but feature modern amenities, private bathrooms, and beautiful furnishings. The cabins also have coffeemakers, hair dryers, TVs, mini-fridges, and microwaves.
Courtyard Rapid City - Box Elder
To treat yourself to a little luxury during your trip to the national park, book a room at the Courtyard by Marriott Rapid City. This hotel is near the Rapid City Regional Airport and many of the area’s top attractions. It has 174 hotel rooms and suites with amenities to help you feel right at home. The hotel has a gym, onsite bistro, meeting space, and outdoor spaces to enjoy. There is free Wi-Fi for guests and complimentary onsite parking. Pets are not allowed at this hotel.
Days Inn by Wyndham Wall - Wall
You’ll be close to Badlands National Park when you book a room at the Days Inn by Wyndham Wall. The hotel is just off of I-90 and within walking distance of the famous Wall Drug Store, one of America’s coolest roadside attractions. Amenities offered at this hotel include free coffee and breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free parking, a fitness center, and a business center. There are refrigerators and microwaves in the motel rooms for guests to use. Early check-in and mobile check-in are options here, as well as laundry services and cribs for little travelers.
Americas Best Value Inn Wall - Wall
The Americas Best Value Inn Wall is conveniently located off of I-90 at Exit 109 or 110. It is close to Badlands National Park and just a half-mile from the Wall Drug Store. The hotel is 29 miles from the national park, 21 miles from Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, and 79 miles from Mount Rushmore, one of the most beautiful landmarks in America. With this motel, you’ll get free and hot continental breakfasts each morning, a seasonal outdoor pool, and free Wi-Fi. Inside the rooms, you’ll find cable TV, a coffeemaker, a mini-fridge, a microwave, and a desk with a lamp. This pet-friendly hotel welcomes pets for a fee of $50 plus tax per night per pet.
Welsh's Motel - Wall
With Badlands National Park being one of the best road trips in the U.S. to take with the kids, you’re going to need a family-friendly spot like Welsh’s Motel to crash for a night or two. This motel is a low-key, budget-friendly, and pet-friendly motel that does not have an active website but is also located near Badlands National Park at 312 South Boulevard in Wall, South Dakota. It is a family-friendly place with all ground-floor units and the rooms are non-smoking and come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and coffee and ice available 24/7. The Badlands are just a short seven-minute drive to the south, and the Wall Drug Store is four blocks away. Rooms have air conditioning, and you can park your car right outside your door.
Ann's Motel - Wall
Ann’s Motel is a locally owned motel in Wall, South Dakota, which puts you close to Badlands National Park. The motel is low-key and retro, with clean and comfortable rooms. It’s always fun to stay in a roadside motel like this when you are on a road trip through the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota – one of America’s most breathtaking road trips might we add! The rooms have comfy beds, coffeemakers, TVs, and bathrooms. It’s a family-friendly place to help you stay within your travel budget and explore the area from a convenient location.
Econo Lodge - Wall
Econo Lodge in Wall puts you close to the outdoor recreation in Badlands National Park and is an affordable option. It is just off I-90 and 10 minutes from the Pinnacles entrance of the national park. The hotel has a heated seasonal outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, and a free grab-and-go breakfast each morning. It is a pet-friendly hotel with free coffee, exterior corridors, and truck parking available too.
Travelodge by Wyndham Wall - Wall
For your trip to the Badlands, you can book a room at Travelodge by Wyndham Wall, and also be less than 10 minutes from the famous Wall Drug Store. The motel is off of I-90 and is a seasonal motel that is closed from January 1 to March 31. The amenities at this Wyndham-brand hotel include an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, free parking, and pet-friendly rooms. The rooms have mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffee/tea makers. Guests with children enjoy staying here because there is a small playground and cribs available. Various accessible amenities are also available to assist travelers with special needs.
Sunshine Inn Motel - Wall
Quality and value lodging near Badlands National Park is available at the Sunshine Inn Motel, which has great rates and is just seven miles from the national park. This is a clean and comfortable motel in downtown Wall and just a block from the Wall Drug Store. There are restaurants, shops, and museums to explore right around the motel’s location. The prices for rooms range from the upper $80s to the upper $90s, plus tax. Complimentary coffee, tea, juices, sweet rolls, and doughnuts are provided at the motel. The Sunshine Inn is only open between May 1 and October 10, but the staff will take future reservations and answer questions throughout the year. Ten percent discounts are available for seniors, active duty and retired military members, and first responders.
