Which national parks in South Dakota need a reservation
South Dakota has 2 national parks in this catalog: Badlands National Park and Wind Cave National Park.
None of South Dakota's national parks in this catalog require a timed-entry permit to drive in.
What people usually mean by a reservation in South Dakota is a hike permit, a campground, or one road. Those bookings keep their own scope.
National parks in South Dakota
- Badlands National Park
Eroded buttes and mixed-grass prairie in South Dakota. Striped rock layers, open sky, and hot summers.
- Wind Cave National Park
A cave under mixed-grass prairie in South Dakota. Cave tours below; bison and prairie dogs on the surface.
What actually needs booking in South Dakota
| Park | Drive-in reservation | Other bookings | Park page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badlands National Park | Not required | Cedar Pass campground | Timed entry and tours |
| Wind Cave National Park | Not required | Elk Mountain campground | Timed entry and tours |
Related lists
Common questions
Which national parks in South Dakota need a reservation?
No sourced park in South Dakota requires a timed-entry permit to drive in. Hike permits, campgrounds, and single-road bookings are a separate system.
Do you need a reservation to enter a national park in South Dakota?
No timed-entry permit is required to drive into the South Dakota national parks in this catalog.