Accessibility

Badlands National Park strives to make its facilities, trails, and programs accessible to all members of the public.

NPS Photo / Larry McAfee

 

 

Both of the park's visitor centers are wheelchair accessible.

NPS Photo

Visitor Centers

The Ben Reifel Visitor Center and White River Visitor Center are both accessible to wheelchair users and provide ramped entrances, reserved parking, and accessible restrooms. A tactile experience is located in the exhibit area of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, where visitors can touch and hold a selection of fossils and rocks. The introductory park film is open captioned for those with hearing impairments; listening devices are also available to assist with hearing the park film.

 

Campgrounds

The Cedar Pass Campground has two campsites that are fully accessible by wheelchair and one accessible site in the group loop. These sites are designated for wheelchair users, but are available on a first-come first-served basis. They may not be available if the campground is full. The campground has many level sites, which can be navigated by wheelchair users. Restrooms and the automated fee machine are accessible.

The Sage Creek Campground offers a rustic camping experience with no water available onsite. The area has accessible vault toilets, although the terrain in and around the campground can be rough.

 

Most overlooks include wooden boardwalks, making them accessible to Badlands visitors.

NPS Photo / Brad Barker

Overlooks & Trails

Most scenic overlooks and wayside exhibits are accessible to wheelchair users, many of which have recycled lumber or wooden boardwalks with gentle grades.

The Fossil Exhibit and Window Trails are accessible boardwalks. The first section of the Door and Cliff Shelf Trails are also accessible to wheelchair users.

 

Picnicking

The Bigfoot Pass Picnic Area has reserved parking, ramps, and an accessible vault toilet. The Conata Picnic Area has an accessible vault toilet but the surrounding terrain is rough.

 

Programs held at the amphitheater are accessible by wheelchair -- these programs often involve telescopes for solar or night sky viewings!

NPS Photo

Ranger Programs

Programs held at the Cedar Pass Campground amphitheater are accessible by a paved and well-lit path from reserved parking spaces in the parking lot. Evening presentations can be enjoyed from this location.

Talks held at the Fossil Exhibit Trail, other overlooks, or the Ben Reifel Visitor Center are accessible to wheelchair users. However, ranger-led hikes or walks are generally not accessible due to the rugged badlands terrain.

 

Concession Facilities

Reserved parking, ramps, wide doors, restrooms, and wide aisles make the Cedar Pass Lodge gift shop and dining room fully accessible. For additional information, contact the Cedar Pass Lodge directly by calling (605)-433-5460.

 

Normally, visitors can only access views from the top of Sheep Mountain Table with a four-wheel drive high-clearance vehicle. With the Virtual Visit, visitors can now enjoy these views from the comfort of a phone or computer!

NPS Photo

Virtual Visit

Badlands visitors of all abilities have the chance to explore the park through a virtual visit. This tour includes virtual overlooks, trails, facilities, and features. Each stop on the tour describes the significance of the site. Photo galleries at the top of each page include every stop on the tour.

 

Brochures

National parks are known for their unigrid brochures, and Badlands offers its brochure in a variety of options. Whether you need a foreign language, text-only, or audio-described brochure, you can access them online or by requesting one be sent to you.