Sage Creek Campground
Open year-round on a first-come first-served basis. No reservations accepted. Sage Creek Rim Road is unpaved and may temporarily close after winter storms or heavy spring rains.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued May 30 at 2:17PM MDT until May 30 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 252 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN SOUTH DAKOTA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 5 COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST SOUTH DAKOTA CUSTER FALL RIVER OGLALA LAKOTA IN WEST CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA MEADE PENNINGTON IN WYOMING THIS WATCH INCLUDES 1 COUNTY IN NORTHEAST WYOMING WESTON THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF BUCKHORN, CLARETON, CUSTER, DOWNTOWN NEWCASTLE, EDGEMONT, FAITH, FOUR CORNERS, HERMOSA, HILL CITY, HOT SPRINGS, KYLE, MORRISEY, OGLALA, PINE RIDGE, RAPID CITY, ROCHELLE, STURGIS, UNION CENTER, UPTON, AND WALL. THIS INCLUDES THE TRIBAL LANDS OF THE PINE RIDGE RESERVATION.
About
Sage Creek Campground offers a rustic, primitive camping experience in the heart of Badlands National Park's Sage Creek Wilderness. This free, first-come first-served campground features 22 sites and rarely fills to capacity, making it an accessible option for spontaneous trips. The campground sits along Sage Creek Rim Road, an unpaved road that may temporarily close after winter storms and spring rains. Facilities are minimal but functional: vault toilets (including accessible options) and covered picnic tables are provided at each site. There is no potable water on-site; campers must bring their own or obtain water at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Due to fire danger, campfires and wood collection are strictly prohibited throughout the campground. However, portable camp stoves and contained charcoal grills are permitted for cooking. Motor homes, pull-behind trailers, and recreational vehicles exceeding 18 feet in length are prohibited, though this restriction does not apply to horse trailers. A designated portion of the campground accommodates horse use. An active prairie dog colony is present in the campground area, and visitors should be aware that plague can occur in prairie dog populations.
Directions
The campground is located in the Sage Creek Wilderness and is accessible only via Sage Creek Rim Road. This unpaved road can be reached from Highway 44 to the north or Highway 240 (Badlands Loop Road) to the east.
Location
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | No |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 18ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 18ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| badl_information@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (605) 433-5361 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Photos
Community Posts
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