Mid-spring · Weather & things to do
Badlands National Park in April
Badlands National Park warms up: highs climb to 61°F (16°C), from 51°F in March, with lows of 34°F (1°C) and about 2.0 in (50 mm) of rain.
It scores 82/100 for comfort, 4th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 61°F (16°C)
- Avg low
- 34°F (1°C)
- Rain
- 2.0 in (50 mm)
- Humidity
- 59%
- Cloud cover
- 61%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 13 min
- Comfort score
- 82/100 · Great
What April feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 61°F (16°C), good for long walks.
Mornings start much cooler: lows average 34°F (1°C), about 15°C (26°F) below the afternoon high.
About 2.0 in (50 mm) of rain falls in a typical year's April.
Plan around April
April is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (May and September & October).
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (April – June), which brings about 7.7 in (196 mm) in total.
- Comfort improves from 66/100 in March to 82/100.
- Our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends May – Sep, so April falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for April
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 34°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Badlands National Park in April
April is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Door Trail
Easy 0.75-mile trail through a break in the Badlands Wall into eroded terrain.
Why now April scores 82/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Notch Trail
1.5-mile trail with a log ladder climb to a ledge over the White River Valley.
Why now Highs near 61°F and 2.0 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Pinnacles Overlook
Wide view across spires and layered buttes at the park's west end.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
Cold War missile site with a visitor center and the Delta-09 silo viewing window.
Cedar Pass Lodge Restaurant
The park's only restaurant, known for Indian tacos and bison burgers.
Nearby in April
- Black Hills in April~64 mi · highs 51°F, 2.1 in rain or snow · 5°C (9°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Medora in April~219 mi · highs 56°F, 1.5 in rain · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Rocky Mountain NP in April~297 mi · highs 43°F, 2.6 in rain or snow · 10°C (17°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Badlands National Park in April: quick answers
Is April a good time to visit Badlands National Park?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 82/100 against a best of 96 in May and September & October. Expect highs of 61°F (16°C) and 2.0 in (50 mm) of rain. Our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends May – Sep, so April is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Badlands National Park in April?
Average highs are 61°F (16°C) and average lows 34°F (1°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Badlands National Park in April?
Not much: about 2.0 in (50 mm) of rain falls across April on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 16.9 in (429 mm).
What should I pack for Badlands National Park in April?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 34°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Badlands National Park
Planning Badlands National Park in April?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.