Circle View Guest Ranch

We very much enjoyed our stay at the Circle View Guest Ranch. Owners Philip and Amy Kruse work hard to ensure you feel at home on their bed and breakfast-style ranch. Located a just a few miles South of the Badlands park, you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast, comfortable beds, and plenty of room to explore. The ranch borders both the park and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The guest house set atop a hill provides unspoiled views of this beautiful area. There is a shared kitchen, recreation room, and dining room for visitors’ use. During our stay we enjoyed camp fires, feeding the burros and collecting rocks all within yards of the house. You’ll also want to hike down to see an original 1880s homesteader cabin that sits along the White River. The cabin can even be reserved for the night. We certainly recommend that you consider staying with the Kruse family. Check out their website for all the details.

Circle 10 Motel & Campground

The Circle 10 is located just off Interstate 90 at exit 131. They are very close to the east entrance of the park. The motel is an L shaped set up with only 8 rooms. Reservations should be made by phone. The campground is open year round, but the motel is seasonal, opening in early summer through the hunting season. They are under new ownership for the 2008 season. Unfortunately for those who might have enjoyed the Circle 10 restaurant in the past, it is also under new management. We’ll miss that good home cooking. However the restuarant will be opening this year open with a more limited menu.

605-433-5451 or 800-231-3617

KOA Campground

Here’s another option that I can’t say too much about just because we didn’t stay there ourselves. However we did do a drive by and this campground did seem to have a few unique things going for it. First, it is located on the banks of the White River. Second, they actually do have large shade trees which once you’ve seen the competition which be a major plus in the South Dakota sun. Third, they are located just a few miles (maybe 5) outside the park (west on Hwy. 44) . I looked around for some other reviews and the ones I found were very positive. Apparently, they also have a pool, playground, and mini-golf. You can check out the details here.

Badlands Budget Host Motel

This is a relatively inexpensive option ($55-$65) for an air conditioned motel room with coffee maker and pool. They also have a 60 unit campground which doesn’t look like much from the road. Check it out for yourself here.

Badlands Inn

This motel consists of 18 units and is operated by Forever Resorts which also manages the Cedar Pass Cabins. Their rates are posted as $80 per night which includes satellite television, phone, air conditioning, and a coffee pot.

Badlands Ranch & Resort

Located just past the KOA on Hwy. 44 this is a bit of a newcomer to the area. Dan Daly of the Rapid City Journal reports “It’s one of most ambitious of the reservation resorts. It looks like a KOA-style campground next to a mom-and-pop motel next to a hunting lodge next to a dude ranch. Owner Jake Sharp grew up on the reservation, left for 35 years. He owned motels in Wyoming and Montana. And now he has returned.” We haven’t even had the opportunity to drive by this place so I can’t give my opinion yet. Check out their website and see what you think.