We knew, when we left Dude Ranch, we were headed directly to the Badlands Boondocking area (aka Nomad View) just outside of Wall, SD. I’ve seen this place in so many videos and photo’s I thought it was almost obligatory for us to camp here!
This boondocking area is well marked on Google Maps and easy enough to find. You’ll be able to see RV’s on the cliff wall from Hwy 240. Not to mention you’ll see the cell towers.
If you are headed south from Wall, SD on Hwy 240 you’ll want to skip the first entrance to this area, if your in anything like a Class A, or C (there is a very steep hill you have to climb, if you come in from that direction). Keep driving until you see a cell tower on your right. Pass the cell tower about a half mile and you’ll see another green cattle guard and two cell towers on your left. Use this entrance. The road is much better!
We chose this area because you’re only 2.5 miles from the entrance to the Badlands National Park and 8 miles from Wall, SD, which is home to Wall Drug (you saw all the signs, right?) Wall Food Center is the only grocery store in the area. They do carry all the necessities and prices aren’t at the “tourist” level (which is nice to find).
Verizon cell service and internet are very good. We have no issues streaming videos, etc.
There are no amenities in this area. No vault toilet or water source. Bring with you what you need and please remember to pack out what you packed in.
This boondocking area is huge! As you can see in the photo above, we’re in the Class A (40′), there’s a class C behind us and a 40′ 5th wheel behind them. I’ve seen all size rigs in here and no one has had to squeeze in. Plenty of room! And this boondocking area goes on for a couple of miles.
Now, let’s talk about the wind. A couple years ago I saw a picture and read an article of a 5th wheel being blown over the cliff. That had me a little on edge for coming here, not gonna lie. The camper was not occupied when it went over, so thankfully no one was injured.
The wind pattern here is a bit strange to me. It will blow 5-8 mph during the day or none at all and then between 8-11 p.m. we could be up to 10-15-18 mph. The wind direction changes a lot. Just something to make note of when you’re 25′ from a cliff. We’ve not yet experienced any Badlands thunderstorms, so I could change my opinion at any moment. We are fighting 90 – 100 degree weather and we’re prepared for pop up thunderstorms. Thankfully we haven’t experienced the 50-60 mph gusts I’ve read about nor any thunderstorms.
I would say, do your research, look at reviews and always know the non-cliff side is available for boondocking as well. I’ve read a lot of stories where people simply moved if the weather got to rough.
It’s not called the Badlands by chance. Safe Travels and Happy Boondocking!
Links to places in this post: Badlands National Park, Wall Drug, Wall Food Center
From this location we explored the Badlands National Park, Wall Drug, and The Minuteman Museum.