Overlanding in Badlans Nat Park?

[SquatchOnTheGo]

Has anyone done any overlanding that included vehicle camping within Badlands or Black Hills?

 

[grubworm]

there isn't any dispersed camping in the actual badlands park, but the road coming off of hwy 90 going to the badlands entrance has boondocking. we didn't boondock in the area because we wanted the security of a campground to leave the trailer and have the truck freed up for easier driving, but there was a lot of folk boondocking right off that road before the actual entrance. lots of open area.
the black hills has a lot of dispersed camping and we spent days driving all thru there and saw a lot of great spots to set camp. they didn't allow open fires, but were pretty lax on everything...most areas I saw didn't have anything like toilets or trash cans, so you pack in and pack out there. very scenic and very remote. a lot of sites were fairly private and spaced out really well.

the badlands were OK, but we pretty much saw everything in half a day including a little hiking. the black hills were enjoyable and there is a lot more to see and do there. I could see maybe spending one night boondocking at the badlands, but i'd think the black hills would be the place to focus more on. I think the black hills has something like 5 or 6 national parks in it and the Mickelson trail goes thru it and is a very scenic route to go on

 

[SquatchOnTheGo]

there isn't any dispersed camping in the actual badlands park, but the road coming off of hwy 90 going to the badlands entrance has boondocking. we didn't boondock in the area because we wanted the security of a campground to leave the trailer and have the truck freed up for easier driving, but there was a lot of folk boondocking right off that road before the actual entrance. lots of open area.
the black hills has a lot of dispersed camping and we spent days driving all thru there and saw a lot of great spots to set camp. they didn't allow open fires, but were pretty lax on everything...most areas I saw didn't have anything like toilets or trash cans, so you pack in and pack out there. very scenic and very remote. a lot of sites were fairly private and spaced out really well.

the badlands were OK, but we pretty much saw everything in half a day including a little hiking. the black hills were enjoyable and there is a lot more to see and do there. I could see maybe spending one night boondocking at the badlands, but i'd think the black hills would be the place to focus more on. I think the black hills has something like 5 or 6 national parks in it and the Mickelson trail goes thru it and is a very scenic route to go on

Thx a ton for the great input! Super helpful.

 

[AnonymousDog]

There is dispersed camping just outside the north entrance to the park but if you're looking for something secluded and remote, that ain't it. The views are unbelievable though and you'll sometimes get bighorn and bison roaming through the area so it's worth checking out.

Sage Creek Campground within the park is primitive camping with a couple of pit toilets and not much else. I spent a few nights there last year and loved it. The bison will walk right through your camp and you have to be careful and give them the right of way as they can be aggressive. I saw a guy get charged when he got too close to one. It has around 20+ sites and it can fill up fast. Most sites are around a loop but there are a few pull off sites that you can snag if you get there early. Even though the camp can fill with people the area itself is remote and is beautiful. The prairie dogs will come right to your camp too.

I've been through the Black Hills but I haven't camped there but I know there's dispersed all over the area. I'm hoping to make a return trip to the Badlands and the BH this year. It's a beautiful area.

The "Wall" out the north entrance:


Sage Creek Campground:

 

[ThundahBeagle]

I'd love to return to that area. Black Hills were beautiful but we didnt camp there.

As others have said, only regular campgrounds withing Baldlands -which was the must stunning part of our trip.

Two pictures taken from the Cedar Pass camp. One of a nice view, the other when I turned back around 180°:

 

[SquatchOnTheGo]

There is dispersed camping just outside the north entrance to the park but if you're looking for something secluded and remote, that ain't it. The views are unbelievable though and you'll sometimes get bighorn and bison roaming through the area so it's worth checking out.

Sage Creek Campground within the park is primitive camping with a couple of pit toilets and not much else. I spent a few nights there last year and loved it. The bison will walk right through your camp and you have to be careful and give them the right of way as they can be aggressive. I saw a guy get charged when he got too close to one. It has around 20+ sites and it can fill up fast. Most sites are around a loop but there are a few pull off sites that you can snag if you get there early. Even though the camp can fill with people the area itself is remote and is beautiful. The prairie dogs will come right to your camp too.

I've been through the Black Hills but I haven't camped there but I know there's dispersed all over the area. I'm hoping to make a return trip to the Badlands and the BH this year. It's a beautiful area.

The "Wall" out the north entrance:
View attachment 291060View attachment 291061View attachment 291062

Sage Creek Campground:
View attachment 291063View attachment 291064View attachment 291066

Great Pics! thx for taking the time to respond, super helpful info.

 

[AnonymousDog]

This big boy visited my camp at Sage Creek.

 

[highboy4x4]

This big boy visited my camp at Sage Creek.

THAT is AWESOME!!!!!

 

[Outdoordog]

I've always wanted to visit. It's on the bucket list.
Would love to find a tyrannasaur tooth...