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Sage Creek Campground, Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Submitted by Snubnosed in Alpha

About.com Rating 5 Star Rating
User Rating 4 Star Rating (1 Review) Write a review

From , former About.com Guide

Snubnosed in Alpha - I found this campground in 1992 on my first Badlands visit. The main campground was full, and they directed us out to Sage Creek. I've camped there every summer for several years.

Campground Review

This campground is basically a field in the middle of the Badlands. You must carry your own water, and the only toilet facilities are a couple of pit toilets. I know of few places as good for appreciating the night sky, and you may awaken to bison walking through your campsite. One of the great things about this campground is the people who frequent it. You are likely to meet some good kids in their twenties on a road trip who are staying here because it is free. A lot of people do not bother with pitching a tent, but opt instead for sleeping on the ground under the stars (in dried buffalo poop). The Badlands/Sage Creek stay has typically been on the way to or from Yellowstone or other bigger attractions. But my memories of eveings at Sage Creek are the ones that have stuck. Nice place.

User Reviews

 4 out of 5
Sage Creek Wilderness, Member Kerouacky

Sage Creek Campground, in the South Dakota Badlands, is indeed a great place. I've used it on a number of occasions as a jumping-off point for hikes in the Sage Creek Wilderness, which starts right across the creekbed. You can see antelope and bison. The antelope are hard to get close to. The bison -- you don't want to get too close. On one hike, my friend John and I did an overnight trip across to the other side of the wilderness area. We didn't pack enough water; ended up at the Conata picnic area begging tourists for water. We looked like a couple of starving chipmunks. Wildlife aside, there is no better place to sleep under the stars. It's pretty incredible.

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