Booking choice: The Badlands and Wall Drug day, 7 hours. Book this Compare the options below
Badlands National Park lies about 75 miles east of Rapid City along I-90, and Mount Rushmore about 23 miles southwest of it. From one to the other is roughly 95 to 100 miles.
This guide covers whether one day is enough, how the Badlands Loop Road works, fees, passes and hours, and the tours from Rapid City to each.
The quick answer
You can do both in one long day by car, but it means around 200 miles of driving and short stops. Most visitors give each its own day. On GetYourGuide there is no single tour that combines them: the Badlands tours and the Mount Rushmore tours are separate days from Rapid City.
Can you do the Badlands and Mount Rushmore in the same day?
Yes by car, with an early start and short stops, but it is about 200 miles of driving; two days are more comfortable.
A one-day plan usually runs Mount Rushmore at opening for the morning light, Rapid City for lunch, then the Badlands Loop Road in the afternoon and evening, when the colours are strongest. It works, but you trade time at both places for time on the road. Split over two days, you can add Crazy Horse and Custer State Park to the Rushmore day, and sunrise or sunset to the Badlands.
How far is the Badlands from Mount Rushmore?
About 95 to 100 miles, around an hour and three quarters by car, via Rapid City and I-90.
The park's two main entrances are about 3 miles south of I-90 exit 131 (Interior / Cactus Flat) and about 7 miles south of exit 110 (Wall). Rapid City sits between the two sights, which is why most tours and many visitors use it as a base.
Can you just drive through Badlands National Park?
Yes. Most visitors drive the Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240), a paved two-lane road with more than a dozen overlooks, in one to two hours.
The road connects the two I-90 exits, so you can drive through and continue your journey. Stops include the Big Badlands, Panorama Point, Yellow Mounds and Pinnacles overlooks, and the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Some sections are steep. With more time, the Sage Creek Rim Road continues west from the Pinnacles area.
What does the Badlands charge, and is it open 24 hours?
The Badlands charges a 7-day entrance fee, payable by card only, and is open 24 hours a day, every day.
Unlike Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park has an entrance fee, and the America the Beautiful pass covers it. It is not one of the eleven parks with the 2026 nonresident surcharge. Roads can close in winter or in extreme weather.
Which tours go to the Badlands from Rapid City?
Small-group and private Badlands days from Rapid City; none on GetYourGuide combines them with Mount Rushmore.
The small-group day on this site drives the Loop Road with a stop at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, an optional visit to the Minuteman Missile visitor center and a long stop at Wall Drug for lunch; its listing includes park admission and guide tips. For Mount Rushmore, book one of the Black Hills days separately.
The Badlands Loop Road, the visitor center and Wall Drug in a small-group day from Rapid City.
Book thisHow should you split two days?
Day one for the Black Hills (Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park), day two for the Badlands and Wall.
- Day 1, Black Hills: Mount Rushmore in the morning, Crazy Horse and the Wildlife Loop Road or Needles Highway in the afternoon; the Evening Lighting in summer.
- Day 2, Badlands: leave Rapid City early or late for the best light, drive the Loop Road, stop in Wall.
- Base: Rapid City sits between both and has the airport; Keystone is better for day one only.
Day one sorted: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park with hotel pickup.
Book thisIs Wall Drug worth a stop?
As a break on the Badlands day, yes: it is a large roadside store in the town of Wall, on I-90.
Wall Drug is a classic road-trip stop with food and shops, close to the park's western entrance. The Badlands tour on this site allows time there for lunch.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Badlands close to Mount Rushmore?
About 95 to 100 miles apart, with Rapid City between them.
Does my national park pass work at the Badlands?
Yes, the America the Beautiful pass covers the Badlands entrance fee; it does not cover Mount Rushmore parking.
When is the best time of day for the Badlands?
Early morning and evening, when low light brings out the colours in the rock bands.
Is there a tour that does both the Badlands and Mount Rushmore?
Not on GetYourGuide at the time of writing: the Badlands and Black Hills tours run as separate days.
Ready to book
Choose your tour
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on each of these tours. Entry to Mount Rushmore itself is free.
Badlands & Wall Drug Day from Rapid City
The Badlands Loop Road, the visitor center and Wall Drug, park admission listed
Black Hills & Monuments Small-Group Day
- Pickup and drop-off in Rapid City, Keystone, Hill City, Deadwood, Lead or Sturgis (per the listing)
- Admission to all attractions on the route, as stated on the listing
- A fully narrated tour in a small group of up to 14
Rushmore, Crazy Horse & Wildlife Loop Day
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or Airbnb in Rapid City
- Mount Rushmore parking fee and state park admission (per the listing)
- Crazy Horse Memorial admission is listed among the admission fees
