Updated October 2026
Badlands National Park Weather by Month
Badlands National Park is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 88°F and a low of 58°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 37°F and an average low of 10°F. May is the wettest month, with about 3.2 inches of precipitation.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 20.6 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Badlands National Park can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
88°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
10°F avg low
Wettest month
May
3.2 in avg
Longest days
Jun
15.2 h of daylight
Average weather at Badlands by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F | 10°F | 0.5 in | 9.1 h |
| February | 40°F | 13°F | 0.7 in | 10.3 h |
| March | 51°F | 21°F | 1.3 in | 11.6 h |
| April | 59°F | 30°F | 2.4 in | 13.2 h |
| May | 69°F | 42°F | 3.2 in | 14.5 h |
| June | 80°F | 52°F | 3.1 in | 15.2 h |
| July | 88°F | 58°F | 2.2 in | 14.9 h |
| August | 88°F | 55°F | 2.0 in | 13.8 h |
| September | 78°F | 45°F | 1.5 in | 12.3 h |
| October | 63°F | 30°F | 1.7 in | 10.8 h |
| November | 49°F | 20°F | 0.8 in | 9.4 h |
| December | 39°F | 11°F | 0.5 in | 8.8 h |
| Year total | 19.9 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00396736, 20.6 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Badlands is at that time of year.
Badlands weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 37°F in January, between 39°F in December and 40°F in February, with average lows between 10°F and 13°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 1.7 inches of precipitation, about 9% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 8.8 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 51°F in March to 69°F in May, with average lows between 21°F and 42°F. The average low is at or below freezing in March and April. Together the three months average 6.9 inches of precipitation, about 35% of the yearly total. Daylight lengthens from about 11.6 hours in March to 14.5 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs climb from 80°F in June to 88°F in August, with average lows between 52°F and 58°F. Together the three months average 7.3 inches of precipitation, about 37% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 15.2 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 78°F in September to 49°F in November, with average lows between 20°F and 45°F. The average low is at or below freezing in October and November. Together the three months average 4 inches of precipitation, about 20% of the yearly total. Daylight shortens from about 12.3 hours in September to 9.4 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
The Badlands weather is variable and unpredictable with temperature extremes ranging from 116° F to -40° F. Summers are hot and dry with occasional violent thunderstorms. Hailstorms and occasional tornadoes can descend on the Badlands with sudden fury. Winters are typically cold with 12 to 24 inches of total snowfall.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Badlands
Averages describe a typical month, not this week. For current conditions and the seven-day outlook, the National Weather Service issues a forecast for the park's reference point at 43.69°N, 102.48°W. It covers that one spot, so other elevations in the park can differ from it, as they do from the averages above.
National Weather Service forecast for Badlands National Park →
Weather and crowds together
July is both the warmest month and the busiest, with about 2.9× the visitors of the park's average month. December is the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Badlands National Park. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Badlands.
Where to stay near Badlands
Picked a month for Badlands National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Badlands
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Badlands National Park, with an average high of 88°F and an average low of 58°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 20.6 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Badlands National Park, with an average low of 10°F and an average high of 37°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
May is the wettest month, with about 3.2 inches of precipitation. January and December are the driest, at about 0.5 inches each. The station records about 19.9 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Daylight at Badlands National Park runs from about 8.8 hours a day in December to about 15.2 hours in June, computed from the park's latitude.
Weather at nearby parks
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108 mi away · warmest in July (87°F)
127 mi away · warmest in July (85°F)
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00396736), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.