Late autumn · Weather & things to do
Badlands National Park in November
Badlands National Park cools off: highs slip to 48°F (9°C), from 61°F in October, with lows of 27°F (-3°C) and about 0.5 in (12 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 63/100, 9th of 12.
- Avg high
- 48°F (9°C)
- Avg low
- 27°F (-3°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.5 in (12 mm)
- Humidity
- 65%
- Cloud cover
- 57%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 24 min
- Comfort score
- 63/100 · Good
What November feels like
It's cool, with highs near 48°F (9°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 27°F (-3°C), so expect frost and ice.
Precipitation is light, about 0.5 in (12 mm) of rain or snow, and since nights fall well below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 24 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around November
November sits mid-table; the best months are May and September & October.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 27°F.
- Snow becomes likely from November, so check road and trail conditions.
- Comfort slips from 86/100 in October to 63/100.
- Our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends May – Sep, so November falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for November
- Insulated jackethighs only 48°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 27°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Badlands National Park in November
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Fossil Exhibit Trail
Short accessible boardwalk with fossil replicas of ancient mammals.
Why now November scores 63/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Badlands Loop Road
SD Highway 240 through the park, with overlooks every few miles.
Why now Highs near 48°F and 0.5 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Door Trail
Easy 0.75-mile trail through a break in the Badlands Wall into eroded terrain.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Ben Reifel Visitor Center
Main park visitor center with a fossil prep lab and orientation film.
Wall Drug
Sprawling roadside stop since 1931 with 5-cent coffee, donuts and free ice water.
Nearby in November
- Black Hills in November~64 mi · highs 41°F, 0.6 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Medora in November~219 mi · highs 42°F, 0.5 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Rocky Mountain NP in November~297 mi · highs 35°F, 1.4 in rain or snow · 7°C (13°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 November: quick answers
Is November a good time to visit Badlands National Park?
It's middling, scoring 63/100. The best months are May and September & October, at up to 96. Expect highs of 48°F (9°C) and 0.5 in (12 mm) of rain or snow. Our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends May – Sep, so November is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Badlands National Park in November?
Average highs are 48°F (9°C) and average lows 27°F (-3°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Badlands National Park in November?
Not much: about 0.5 in (12 mm) of rain or snow falls across November on average, the 3rd-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 16.9 in (429 mm).
What should I pack for Badlands National Park in November?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 48°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 27°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Badlands National Park
Planning Badlands National Park in November?
Share this November plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.