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Best time to visit · South Dakota, United States
May and September & October are the best time to visit Badlands National Park on the climate data: September scores 96/100, with highs around 78°F (26°C) and 1.4 in (35 mm) of rain. April, June and August are good shoulder-season months. The toughest months are December – February, mainly because of cool days.
Highs run from 36°F to 93°F across the year, and the yearly total is about 16.9 in (429 mm) of rain and snow.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high | 37°F3°C | 38°F3°C | 51°F10°C | 61°F16°C | 72°F22°C | 85°F29°C | 93°F34°C | 89°F32°C | 78°F26°C | 61°F16°C | 48°F9°C | 36°F2°C |
| Avg low | 18°F-8°C | 17°F-8°C | 26°F-4°C | 34°F1°C | 45°F7°C | 57°F14°C | 65°F18°C | 61°F16°C | 51°F11°C | 37°F3°C | 27°F-3°C | 19°F-7°C |
| Rain/snow | 0.3 in8 mm | 0.5 in13 mm | 0.9 in24 mm | 2.0 in50 mm | 3.1 in78 mm | 2.7 in68 mm | 1.9 in49 mm | 1.9 in47 mm | 1.4 in35 mm | 1.3 in34 mm | 0.5 in12 mm | 0.4 in11 mm |
| Humidity | 71% | 68% | 62% | 59% | 57% | 54% | 49% | 52% | 53% | 61% | 65% | 72% |
| Cloud | 64% | 66% | 64% | 61% | 59% | 50% | 41% | 41% | 41% | 54% | 57% | 64% |
| Comfort | 49 | 48 | 66 | 82 | 86 | 81 | 68 | 78 | 96 | 86 | 63 | 49 |
Source: NASA POWER (public domain), 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km satellite and reanalysis grid, so coasts and valleys can differ from what's shown. The grid cell sits at about 824 m (2,704 ft), close to Badlands National Park's own ~807 m. Precipitation includes snow as melted water; daylight is calculated from latitude. Check a forecast before you go.
The coldest season, with highs of 36–38°F (2–3°C) and lows down to 17°F (-8°C). It's the driest season, with only about 1.3 in (32 mm) of rain or snow, 7% of the year's total. December – February are cold enough for snow. Comfort scores bottom out in December – February; the season averages 49/100.
Temperatures climb through the season, from 51°F highs in March to 72°F by May. About 6.0 in (152 mm) of rain or snow falls across these months, 35% of the year's total. March is cold enough for snow. Comfort peaks here: May ranks with the year's best, and the season averages 78/100.
The warmest stretch of the year, with highs of 85–93°F (29–34°C). It's the wettest season, with about 6.5 in (164 mm) of rain, 38% of the year's total. Lows bottom out around 57°F (14°C). June and August score well without being the very best (season average 76/100).
Temperatures slide from 78°F highs in September to 48°F by November. About 3.2 in (81 mm) of rain or snow falls across these months, 19% of the year's total. November is cold enough for snow. Comfort peaks here: September & October rank with the year's best, and the season averages 82/100.
By comfort score: 6 Great, 3 Good and 3 Fair. Great months: April – June and August – October. Tap a month for its own guide.
May and September & October are the best time to visit Badlands National Park on the climate data: September scores 96/100, with highs around 78°F (26°C) and 1.4 in (35 mm) of rain. April, June and August are good shoulder-season months. The toughest months are December – February, mainly because of cool days.
May is the wettest month, averaging about 3.1 in (78 mm) of rain. January is the driest, with about 0.3 in (8 mm). The yearly total is around 16.9 in (429 mm).
February is the coldest, with average lows of 17°F (-8°C) and highs of 38°F (3°C). The warmest is July, with average highs of 93°F (34°C).
Not very: summer (June – August) humidity averages 52%, and highs peak around 93°F (34°C), so heat matters more than mugginess.
On average, yes: lows fall below 32°F (0°C) in November – March, bottoming out around 17°F (-8°C) in February.
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