When to visit Badlands without the crowds
Badlands (South Dakota, United States) is calmest in January, February, March, April, October, November and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in June, July and August. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals.
Best months
May–Jun & Sep
When everyone heads home
The first week of September.
Tip
Stay the night: it is one of the darkest skies in the US, and July middays top 35 °C.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1/5 · calm | 1 °C (34 °F) | New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| February | 1/5 · calm | 2 °C (35 °F) | Presidents Day |
| March | 1/5 · calm | 9 °C (48 °F) | |
| April | 1/5 · calm | 14 °C (57 °F) | |
| May | 3/5 · moderate | 20 °C (68 °F) | Memorial Day |
| June | 4/5 · busy | 28 °C (82 °F) | Juneteenth National Independence Day |
| July | 5/5 · busy | 31 °C (88 °F) | Independence Day |
| August | 4/5 · busy | 30 °C (86 °F) | Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (August) |
| September | 3/5 · moderate | 26 °C (78 °F) | Labour Day |
| October | 2/5 · calm | 16 °C (61 °F) | |
| November | 2/5 · calm | 10 °C (49 °F) | Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day |
| December | 1/5 · calm | 3 °C (37 °F) | Christmas Day |
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (National Park Service, Badlands National Park, 2023-2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Badlands without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually January, February, March, April and December (crowds 1/5). In April the average high is 14 °C (57 °F). All the calm months: January, February, March, April, October, November and December.
When is Badlands most crowded?
The busiest season is June, July and August. The first week of September.
What is the weather like in Badlands?
Average highs range from 1 °C (34 °F) in January to 31 °C (88 °F) in July, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What festivals are there in Badlands?
The main ones: Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (August) (August).
More places in South Dakota
- Mount Rushmore (Black Hills) calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August