About this campground
A 1,220-acre site featuring interesting archeological, paleontological, wildlife, and geologic resources. It is the site of the Battle of the Badlands, fought between the United States cavalry led by General Alfred Sully, and a coalition of the Lakota and Dakota Sioux native American tribes. The battle was fought on August 7-9, 1864. In addition to a Battle of the Badlands interpretive site, the site also contains portions of the 1864 and 1876 military trails, and the 1876 Snow Camp of the Custer Expedition to the Little Bighorn battle. It is contiguous with the Square Buttes SIA. The area also contains several uncommon plant species.
Nearby federal campgrounds
- Custer Snow CampDakota Prairie National Grasslands4 mi
- Little Missouri National GrasslandDakota Prairie National Grasslands8 mi
- Initial RockDakota Prairie National Grasslands13 mi
- Grand River National GrasslandDakota Prairie National Grasslands96 mi
- Blacktail Picnic AreaDakota Prairie National Grasslands108 mi
- Cedar River National GrasslandDakota Prairie National Grasslands108 mi
Explore more South Dakota camping
Battle of the Badlands Interpretive Site doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby South Dakota campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.
Browse South Dakota camping →Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.