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Badlands Loop Road, Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Photo: DimiTalen

Drives South Dakota The Black Hills and the Badlands

Badlands Loop Road

SD 240, Badlands Loop, Cottonwood Road · I-90 exit 131 → Wall

Sweeping40 mi1 hr 15 min2,300 ft climbHigh point ≈ 3,200 ftOne way
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The drive

The Badlands Loop Road, SD 240, is a two-lane paved road through the North Unit of Badlands National Park. This drive runs east to west, about 40 miles from I-90 at Cactus Flat to Wall, past the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. The park lists twelve overlooks from east to west, including Big Badlands, Panorama Point and Pinnacles.

The park protects sharply eroded buttes and pinnacles. A deeply weathered soil layer is exposed as the colorful Yellow Mounds, and Native peoples used the top of the Badlands Wall to watch for enemies and wandering herds. The Pinnacles Overlook is the last one at the west end, and the Sage Creek Rim Road meets the Loop Road just north of it.

Along the way

  1. I-90 exit 131 (Cactus Flat)
  2. Ben Reifel Visitor Center
  3. Wall (I-90 exit 110)
Elevation
2,300 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 3,200 ft
I-90 exit 131Wall
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
I-90 exit 131Wall
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • There is a park entrance fee, charged by card only, and passes are sold at the Northeast, Pinnacles and Interior entrance stations.
  • The road has steep passes and sections with reduced speed limits.
  • Keep at least 100 feet from wildlife.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Badlands National Park road conditions.

Questions about this drive

How long does the Badlands Loop Road take to drive?

The Badlands Loop Road from I-90 at Cactus Flat to Wall is 40.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 15 minutes without stops.

Is there a fee to drive the Badlands Loop Road?

Yes. Badlands National Park charges $30 per private vehicle for seven days, or $25 per motorcycle, and accepts cards only.

How many overlooks are on the Badlands Loop Road?

The park lists twelve overlooks from east to west, ending with Pinnacles Overlook.

Is the Sage Creek Rim Road part of the Loop Road?

No. The Sage Creek Rim Road meets the Loop Road just north of the Pinnacles Overlook, and it isn't part of this drive.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Badlands Loop Road, from I-90 exit 131 to Wall