Even as National Parks go, this visitor center really stood out. The fossil lab was very cool with nice displays and scientists working on fossils. There is an excellent museum discussing the geology and biology of the area. Gift shop is well stocked.

Nice, clean visitor center in Badlands National Park. It has a little exhibit/museum explaining the climate and environment of the Badlands. The park rangers were very friendly and helpful in planning our visit. We ended up doing a few small boardwalk hikes and the Notch trail. Then we drove the Badlands loop trail and saw lots of longhorn sheep and buffalo along the trail. This was a beautiful and unique landscape designed naturally over the years. It looked like there was a lot of camping options as well.

Great trip. We arrived at approximately 12:30 pm and made our way inside the visitor center. Admission into the visitor center was free, which is always a plus. There were multiple informational plaques out for display, detailing the geography of the area and the various forms of wildlife that once existed in the park. There were also multiple artifacts out for display. There was a gift shop and restrooms inside the visitor center as well. Tip: I recommend spending 1 hour here if you truly want to see everything.

We arrived at the visitor center around 11:30am after driving out from Rapid City & seeing the Minuteman Visitor Center first. The visitors center was extremely crowded. The ranger told us most people arrive at around the same time & leave by 4pm. The center was extremely crowded to walk around. Come earlier in the am or late pm for less crowds. There were no tours given which I found highly unusual since it was prime tourist season. Maybe short staffed? The gift shop at the Cedar Pass lodge has cheaper prices, more items & is a lot larger. This visitor center is OK, the movie fine, but just not as good as some other NP visitors center- it could be better. Worth a stop though- just buy your souvenirs at the lodge. We stayed 2 nights at the lodge & even though at $235 night, plus lots of fees, found it expensive, it was worth it. If you like my review, I hope you’ll click the “helpful” button; those of us who write reviews live for those and it motivates us to do more.

This visitor center is very clean and well organized. The park ranger we talked with was very friendly and informative. She helped with weather forecast to shape how we wanted to organize our hikes and drives. Also suggested sights not to miss around the area during our visit to South Dakota.