Places to Eat Near Badlands National Park
Restaurants Near Badlands National Park
If you’re looking for delicious places to eat near Badlands National Park in South Dakota, you’ve come to the right place! While few restaurants are nearby, what is available can be quirky, interesting, unusual, and good!
To better understand your options, you need to know where Wall, South Dakota, and Interior South Dakota are located. Wall (named after the Badlands Wall) is just north of the West Entrance of Badlands National Park on Interstate 90.
This location has the most options for restaurants near the Badlands. It’s also home to Wall Drug, the famous travelers stop with signs 200 miles in each direction. Wall has shopping, restaurants, bathrooms, fuel, and lodging.
Wall SD Restaurants
Wall Drug and Cafe – One of the best-known places to eat near Badlands National Park is in Wall. Inside, you’ll find the Cafe with various options and quality food. A visit here could take hours if you allow it. Do not leave Wall Drug without trying one of their donuts.
I am a donut connoisseur, and these ones make the top of my list. They’re delicious cake donuts with a thin, crispy outside and soft, moist, cake-like inside. Choices are plain, chocolate iced, maple iced, or vanilla iced. Here is the Menu for Wall Drug.
Red Rock Restaurant – Serving up local beef and pork, this restaurant is likely the most visited next to Wall Drug. It has tasty options and reasonable prices. Open until 8 PM.
The Salty Steer—Welcome to Wall’s newest gastropub, which opened its doors on June 6, 2023. The Salty Steer aims to please with various burgers, steaks, pasta, local craft beer, and everything in between. They’ve hand-picked and tasted every detail on their menu. It is great for all ages, and there’s something for everyone. It’s one of the most festival places to eat near Badlands National Park
Dairy Queen – I know It’s fast food, but It has blizzards, like the one out my window right now. It is suitable for the kids, and a Blizzard isn’t half bad at the end of a visit to the Badlands.
Interior SD Restaurants
Interior, SD, is located at the south end of Badlands National Park. This was called the town of “Black” for unknown reasons.
Interior is a tiny town with a population of just over 90 people. Options here are limited, but it’s the closest of places to eat near Badlands National Park. The people are friendly, and the food is good. You might hesitate at first, but trust me, it’s an experience you could write home about.
Cowboy Corner – This place serves as a filling station, supply store, and food stop. They serve lunch and dinner. It’s all homemade, and the meal being served can be found out ahead of time by calling 605-433-5333. The address is 500 SD HWY 377, Interior, SD.
Wagon Wheel Bar and Grill – Very few details can be found online, but I can tell you this is a blast from the past. Park out front, head inside, and walk back in time. I’ve had the burger and fries, and it’s very good. Ice-cold drinks and beer on tap can quench your thirst. Check out all the original beer signs and memorabilia as you enjoy your meal.
More Places To Eat Near Badlands National Park
Cedar Pass Lodge – Cedar Pass Lodge is nestled in the heart of Badlands National Park and offers an excellent opportunity for visitors to explore one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the United States. It also happens to be the closest place to eat near Badlands National Park. In fact, it is in Badlands National Park.
It provides easy access to the park’s attractions, such as its magnificent canyons, spires and buttes, lush trails, and wildlife viewing areas. It’s very convenient but also closed for the winter. When open, I recommend trying the Indian Taco.
Directly next to Cedar Pass Lodge is the gift shop. You can find some excellent books here, as well as Native American Arts and Crafts. If you’d rather sit outside, benches are made available, and usually, a few are free of guests. Watch out for the Magpie; they’re smart and have their eyes on you, just waiting for the food to drop.
Just next to the historic Cedar Pass Lodge is the Ben Reifel Visitors Center. While they don’t serve food, you should stop and visit. There’s an interpretive center and Rangers ready to answer any questions you might have. Learn about the history, fossils, geography and ecology of Badlands National Park.