Details
Sage Creek Campground, Wall, SD, 57790
National Park ServiceLast Updated: November 26, 2025
Table Of Contents
Campground Overview
Introduction
Sage Creek Campground is a primitive campground. There is no charge to stay here and camping is available on a first come first serve basis. The campground rarely fills to capacity.
Campsite Details
Operating Hours
Bison often wander through this primitive campground, located on the west side of the park's North Unit. Access is located off of the Sage Creek Rim Road, an unpaved road that may temporarily close after winter storms and spring rains. The road provides limited turnarounds for large recreational vehicles. Camping is free of charge. Pit toilets and covered picnic tables are available, but no water is available on-site. A portion of the Sage Creek Campground is designated for horse use.
Weather
The Badlands weather is variable and unpredictable with temperature extremes ranging from 116° F to -40° F. Summers are hot and dry with occasional violent thunderstorms. Hailstorms and occasional tornadoes can descend on the Badlands with sudden fury. Winters are typically cold with 12 to 24 inches of total snowfall.
Amenities
Trash & Recycling Collection
Toilets
Directions
The campground is located in the Sage Creek Wilderness. It is accessible only via the Sage Creek Rim Rd which is accessible either by Highway 44 or Highway 240.
Rates & Fees
Sage Creek Primitive Campground
Tent camping and RV camping is allowed. The road in the campground as well as the road leading to the campground are gravel roads. When it rains these roads can become difficult to traverse. There is no fee to camp in this campground. No fires or open flame permitted.
Rules & Regulations
Fire/Stove Policy
The vast open prairies of the Badlands contain a variety of plants and animals. This variety and the relative openness make the Badlands a naturalist's paradise. In an effort to maintain the prairie grassland, fires are not allowed within Badlands National Park. You may use small, portable propane grills at your campsite for cooking.Regulations Overview
Sage Creek Campground is a free, first-come first-serve campground with 22 sites located on Sage Creek Rim Road, an unpaved road that may temporarily close after winter storms and spring rains. Motor homes, pull behind trailers, and other recreational vehicles greater than 18 feet in length are prohibited. This limitation does not apply to horse trailers. A portion of the Sage Creek Campground is designated for horse use. Pit toilets and covered picnic tables are available, but not water. Potable water is available at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Generators are not permitted. Due to fire danger, campfires are not permitted in this campground and collection of wood is prohibited. However, camp stoves or contained charcoal grills can be used in campgrounds and picnic areas. When using charcoal grills, ensure the charcoal is cool prior to disposal to prevent a trash fire.Accessibility
Wheelchair Access
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 is rough.
RV Allowed
Yes
RV Information
Motor homes, pull behind trailers, and other recreational vehicles greater than 18 feet in length are prohibited. This limitation does not apply to horse trailers. A portion of the Sage Creek Campground is designated for horse use.
RV Maximum Length
18
Trailer Maximum Length
18
ADA Information
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 is rough.
Trailer Allowed
Yes
Access Roads
Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
Classifications
Primitive Camping Areas
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