Best Time to Visit Badlands National Park
The best months to visit Badlands National Park are April, May and October — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. July is the crowd peak (245,621 monthly visits); December is quietest at 4% of peak.
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- Notch Trail Closure for Repairs (Park Closure)
- Navigation (Caution)
Monthly crowd curve
Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.
Badlands month by month
| Month | Verdict | Avg visits | % of peak | High / Low | Precip | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Shoulder | 11,401 | 5% | 35°F / 9°F | 0.3″ | 9.3h |
| February | Shoulder | 11,230 | 5% | 39°F / 13°F | 0.5″ | 10.5h |
| March | Shoulder | 25,661 | 10% | 50°F / 22°F | 0.9″ | 11.9h |
| April | Best window | 38,395 | 16% | 60°F / 33°F | 1.9″ | 13.4h |
| May | Best window | 108,524 | 44% | 70°F / 44°F | 3.5″ | 14.7h |
| June | Peak crowds | 219,991 | 90% | 80°F / 54°F | 2.7″ | 15.4h |
| July | Peak crowds | 245,621 | 100% | 89°F / 60°F | 2.3″ | 15.1h |
| August | Peak crowds | 207,686 | 85% | 88°F / 58°F | 1.6″ | 14h |
| September | Shoulder | 137,202 | 56% | 79°F / 47°F | 1.2″ | 12.6h |
| October | Best window | 65,693 | 27% | 63°F / 34°F | 1.8″ | 11.1h |
| November | Shoulder | 20,259 | 8% | 49°F / 21°F | 0.6″ | 9.7h |
| December | Shoulder | 10,544 | 4% | 37°F / 12°F | 0.3″ | 8.9h |
Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station WASTA, SD US (22 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.
How many people visit Badlands each year
Badlands National Park had 1,139,361 recreation visits in 2025, 4% more than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2021, with 1,224,226. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 1,102,207 visits a year, which makes it the 25th most-visited of the 63 national parks.
| Year | Recreation visits | vs. year before |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,139,361 | +4% |
| 2024 | 1,094,245 | +5% |
| 2023 | 1,046,400 | +4% |
| 2022 | 1,006,809 | −18% |
| 2021 | 1,224,226 | +34% |
| 2020 | 916,932 | −6% |
| 2019 | 970,998 | −4% |
| 2018 | 1,008,942 | −4% |
| 2017 | 1,054,325 | +6% |
| 2016 | 996,263 | +1% |
| 2015 | 989,354 | — |
Calendar-year recreation visits as published by NPS Visitor Use Statistics. 2020 is shown here but left out of the monthly averages above, because the COVID-19 pandemic makes it unrepresentative. See how every park compares: all 63 parks ranked by visits.
What to pack for Badlands in April
Computed from April's weather normals — Badlands's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 33°F
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Badlands?
April, May and October rank best for Badlands on VisitWhen's computed score — the strongest balance of low crowds (NPS data), comfortable weather (NOAA normals) and daylight.
What is the most crowded month at Badlands?
July: an average of 245,621 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). The quietest is December, at 4% of the July peak.
When is Badlands least crowded with decent conditions?
December. It is the park's quietest month (4% of the July peak, 10,544 average visits) without harsh-season weather.
How many people visit Badlands per year?
Badlands National Park had 1,139,361 recreation visits in 2025, 4% more than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2021, with 1,224,226. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 1,102,207 visits a year.
What is the weather like at Badlands through the year?
The warmest month is July, with average highs of 89°F. The coldest nights come in January, averaging 9°F. The wettest month is May, with 3.5″ of precipitation. (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, WASTA, SD US station.)
Dive into a month
Comparing parks for the same trip? See how Badlands ranks against all 63 parks in April, May and October.
Last verified 2026-09-24 · all parks