Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are there hiking trails in Badlands National Park?
A: Badlands National Park has five trails, varying from one-fourth mile to eight miles in length for exploring park features. The two recommended trails are the Cliff Shelf Nature Trail (.5 mile) or Fossil Exhibit Trail (.25 mile). The remainder of the park is open to exploration using a topographic map and a compass, but please remember to leave rocks, animals and plants as you find them.

Q: What is the best time of day to view the Badlands formations?
A: Visually, the Badlands are at their best early or late in the day when deep shadows define their forms.

Q: How far is Badlands National Park from Mount Rushmore?
A: Cedar Pass Lodge in Badlands National Park, is located 114 miles or 1.5 - 2 hours from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and only an hour from Rapid City.

Q: What environmental awards or recognitions has Cedar Pass Lodge received?
A: Cedar Pass Lodge became a member of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Environmental Performance Track Program in September 2005.

Performance Track is a public/private partnership recognizing top environmental performance among participating U.S. facilities of all types, sizes, and complexity, both public and private. Program partners are providing leadership in many areas, including preventing pollution at its source. Currently there are 344 Performance Track Members in the United States.

Please click here for more information on the National Environmental Performance Track Program.

In 2003, Cedar Pass Lodge/Badlands Inn was certified to ISO 14001. Forever Resorts is the first U.S. multi-site hospitality, lodging and marina provider to be certified to ISO 14001:1996 for all its domestic operations. ISO 14001 is an internationally recognized standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS).

The benefits of initiating an EMS in accordance with ISO 14001 standards are many: identifying areas for reduction in energy and other resource consumption; reducing environmental liability and risk; helping maintain consistent compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements; benefiting from regulatory incentives that reward companies showing environmental leadership through certified compliance with internationally recognized EMS standards; preventing pollution and reducing waste; improving community good will; profiting in the market for "green" products and demonstrating commitment to high quality.