Failed Boondocking at Badlands National Park

Our attempt to boondock at Badlands National Park....and our backup plan once boondocking didn’t work out. These are our tips and tricks for a big rig so you can have a positive boondocking experience at Badlands National Park.

[@SuperSushidog]

We're on "the wall" now. We're FTers who like to boondock most of the time, but it's our first time here. We arrived in our 35ft Class A with toad 3 days ago on 4/30 on a Sunday. Yesterday we drove the entire loop on the wall. The road is pretty rough in spots, but it's passable if you go slow. There are tons of boondocking spots available now, so I guess it depends on the time of year you visit. When we got to the wall, we took a right and went south, all the way to the end where we were able to get level and had beautiful views over the badlands in two directions. You can't beat free. Cedar Pass CG is where most folk dump and fill cause it's only $1. We stopped there on the way in to dump and will visit the inexpensive campground in Wasta to dump on the way out to Mt. Rushmore. They only charge $5 to dump and fill if you don't spend the night for $20. They have electricity, but no water or sewer hookups, though all sites there are pull-through and it's right off the I-90 by a gas station. If you visit Wall Drugs you've gotta get the Bison hotdog. It's lean, plump and very tasty. I'll probably get another one before I leave. Sure it's a tourist trap and a little pricy, as you'd expect, but it was delicious. And don't forget to pour yourself a nickel cup of coffee while you're there. The best restaurant in town is the Red Rock, both for quality and price. You can't miss it because it's by the giant wooden jackalope.

[@RVHomeschool]

Thank you for sharing all of that great advice. I’m glad you had a good time 😃.

[@tangobravo8889]

Believe me, there are those of us that “love” the fact you can’t get any further with that big RV. Stick with the cell phone towers for that wilderness experience 👍

[@mdimp1468]

Couldn’t agree more

[@TerryX2Explore]

We've seen so many YT videos on this boondocking spot! I would imagine it is really crowded now! The Badlands are so beautiful! We were there in NOV. and there were very few people there but it was sooo cold.... ;-) Amazing park! Nice share! 💙Terry and Terri

[@RVHomeschool]

I think we hit it on a really busy weekend.

[@vandannadale2689]

Nice video of the dispersed area and Badlands sunset! Just FYI, the Cedar Pass Campground has been there -AS a campground-since the 1950s (family camped in the 60’s when I was a kid.) Your conjecture about it possibly having been a picnic area is understandable because that is how it looks! But it was built at a time when campers almost exclusively pulled trailers, hence the non-back-in/pull alongside setup. I’ve always thought the funky little covered picnic tables were cool. It’s a fairly historic campground as National Park campgrounds go. Thanks! Safe travels! ✌🏼

[@RVHomeschool]

That’s a cool bit of history. Thanks for sharing.

[@Endless_Skyway_Adventures]

We literally camped on the spot you left. You have to understand that your choice of rig limits your ability to stay in certain places. We sold our 26 foot travel trailer for this reason and we have a van and cargo trailer conversion now that is much more nimble. You have a beautiful and no doubt comfortable rig. But in this instance it cost you an opportunity for fantastic boondocking.

[@RVHomeschool]

Yep, we are not the RV setup for rugged boondocking. Sometimes it works out. This time it did not.

[@auroranite]

Enjoyable viewing. thank you for sharing.

[@RVHomeschool]

Thank you for watching.

[@carleymiller4760]

Nice informative video thanks for sharing

[@RVHomeschool]

Thanks. I think it’s only right to share our failures along with the good stuff related to RVing.

[@nicolemyers4584]

Glad to hear it worked out. We’re taking our five kids across the country to Yellowstone on a month long trip in July. Due to Covid, the cost of renting RVs has skyrocketed, which was our original plan. We are now renting a 15 passenger van we can sleep in if absolutely necessary in terrible weather and are tent camping. Our original plan was also boondocking in that same spot, however, we got nervous about the though of severe storms on the edge of a cliff in a tent. We have since booked a spot at the Cedar Pass campground, which gives us the safety of a storm shelter. I picked a nice more secluded site based on internet recommendations. I feel better about decision since watching your video and hope you had a nice trip anyways.

[@RVHomeschool]

Glad to hear you are still making a trip work. I’m amazed at the RV rental prices too but camping and using the passenger van should work. Campgrounds tend to have nice bathrooms and you can be just as comfortable. A kid never forgets their trip to Yellowstone. I’m sure you’ll make wonderful memories. We have a podcast (RV Homeschool) on Yellowstone that might have helpful hints for you. Have fun.

[@nicolemyers4584]

Great. I’ll check it out.

[@bradleytucker7639]

Don't go at the end of July that's right before Sturgis bike rally yeah it's going to be full the rally is always the first weekend of August and the whole week not a good time

[@RVHomeschool]

That makes sense. I’ve heard from others who went to the wall in the summer and had no problem with crowds. But it was mad crazy when we went. Didn’t even think about the Sturgis crowd.

[@johnsonhunglo1993]

Why do they call it 'Badlands'?

[@RVHomeschool]

French trappers called it ‘bad lands to travel across’. They are large barren rocks surrounded by grasslands. They have unique striation in the rock layers that show their history. They are also really cool.

[@jasonbowman7190]

Can anyone pull over to the side of the road and sleep in 🚗 if no more room in site locations.. also free camping in park?

[@RVHomeschool]

Most of the parks prohibit overnight parking. So no, can’t sleep in cars. But, many parks have first come camping and with just a car it would be easier to fit in any spot. Camping is not free but usually around $20.