A Lesser-Known National Park's RV Camping Options Feature Full Amenities For Comfort And Style

As many avid travelers know, recreational vehicles offer the best of both worlds when it comes to outdoor adventures. On the one hand, RVs let you experience a mostly authentic camping experience in many of the nation's top outdoor destinations. On the other hand, RVs still provide many of the best modern amenities for travelers who don't want to abandon all contemporary comforts. By combining travel capabilities with mobile lodging necessities, RVs are a terrific way to explore the country without splurging too much on hotels or Airbnbs. 

RVs are particularly useful for national park visits. While some national parks like Congaree have banned RVs entirely, many others have excellent campsites with full RV compatibility, including electricity and water hookups. Popular national parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite are, unsurprisingly, the nation's best-known destinations for RV campers. But many lesser-known national parks are just as good, if not better, for once-in-a-lifetime RV adventures. 

Though it's not quite as well-known as iconic parks like Yellowstone, South Dakota's Badlands National Park is the perfect spot for experiencing one of North America's most distinct landscapes from the comfort of an RV. Whether you want to enjoy a scenic viewpoint in a well-equipped RV campsite or tough it out in a rugged, backcountry environment, Badlands National Park is a terrific destination for exploring the wonders of the American West. 

Badlands National Park protects a complex and mesmerizing landscape within South Dakota's broader "badlands" region. "Badlands" form when softer, clay-heavy in a relatively sparse and treeless ecoregion experiences prolonged water erosion over time. The result is an intricate vista of buttes, gullies, gorges, ravines, and hoodoos, often displaying vibrant colors thanks to the polychromatic clay in the soil. Badlands National Park may be the country's best example of this kind of ecosystem, with superb examples of colorful badlands and healthy populations of iconic American wildlife (including large herds of American bison). Though it doesn't have many trees, lakes, or towering mountain summits, Badlands National Park's combination of a remote location and large, open areas make it arguably the best national park for camping in the U.S. Because the park sits in relatively undeveloped areas of South Dakota, there aren't many motels or vacation rentals nearby. However, the area's flat terrain and lack of major obstructions make it perfect for navigating an RV or larger camper van. 

The park's Cedar Pass Campground is one of the best campsites for RVs in the entire National Park System. The campsite itself is quite flat and accessible for RVs and camper vans while also being surrounded by spectacular views of some of the most beautiful badland formations in the entire park. At the same time, the Cedar Pass Campground doesn't forsake modern amenities. The campground's RV sites feature service for both electric and non-electric RVs, including 30-amp and 50-amp hookups. RV campers also have access to water, flush toilets, pay showers, and septic tank dumps (for a $1 fee). 

Outside the park's borders, nearby lodging sites like the Badlands Hotel & Campground offer additional RV campsites with even more modern luxuries (including Wi-Fi and a pool!). On the other end of the spectrum, Badlands National Park campsites like the Sage Creek Campground offer more rustic camping experiences for thorough immersion into nature. You even have the opportunity to go full caveman with authentic backcountry camping in many rugged (but beautiful) areas of the park. Plus, with few obstructions to the east or west, Badlands has maybe the most stunning sunrise and sunset views in the National Park System. 

Even if you don't own an RV, you can always rent one from services like Cruise America for your Badlands vacation. Though the park is best known for its rough, rugged landscape, Badlands actually has some of the country's best scenic drives, so an RV rental can be a great investment. Routes like Sage Creek Rim Road and Badlands Loop Road provide exceptional views of the park's unforgettable geology while letting you stay in the comfort of your vehicle. You might even get lucky enough to see some of the park's famous bison on the side of (or, in some cases, on) the road! 

Nearby, the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site makes an interesting day trip for history buffs who want to learn about the region's more modern significance during the Cold War. Of course, you may also elect to simply relax in your RV and take in a magnificent landscape not found in many other places on Earth. No matter your preference, Badlands National Park has the perfect combination of natural wonders, modern convenience, and unique experiences for a perfect RV getaway.