Badlands Cedar Pass Lodge

Great photo opp at the entrance
A photographer's paradise
Welcome to the Badlands Inn
Guest Room at Cedar Pass Lodge
Have a seat & take in the view
Rainbow over the desert
Sunrise & wildlife
Kick your feet back & stay a while!
Stop in to find the gift for friends & family!
#NoFilter
Our retail store has gifts that you'll remember forever!
Sunset over the desert landscape

Summer Paradise in the Badlands

Working, living in, and exploring Badlands National Park promises to be something you'll never forget. A season spent at Cedar Pass Lodge delivers memories to last a lifetime.

With 64,000 acres of wilderness, hiking trails, colorful buttes, towering spires, and fossil deposits, the Badlands of South Dakota are one of the most awe-inspiring places in North America.

About Badlands Cedar Pass Lodge

Working alongside team members from all walks of life while serving guests from all over the world will provide you with great customer service skills, solid hospitality industry experience, and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live and work inside a national park! 

Located on South Dakota Highway 240 south of Interstate 90, our seasonal operation includes 26 guest units, a restaurant, a gift store, and an RV / Campground. We also operate Badlands Inn, which is 3 miles west of our main location in the town of Interior.

We're looking for enthusiastic team players with a great work ethic and sense of adventure! 

The Employee Experience

Hear more from Ben, one of our Retail Experts at Cedar Pass Lodge:

"The weather during the summer is beautiful, and the guests take a genuine interest in not only the park but also your life’s story and what brought you to the badlands of South Dakota. Working at Cedar Pass Lodge was the exact type of experience I hoped for when I decided to become a full-time seasonal worker. I truly enjoyed working with my coworkers and managers! I believe that the most important aspects of a job are the people and the atmosphere. The feeling in the air here is warm and relaxed; it’s truly a worker’s dream come true.”

Ideal Candidate

Our summer season runs from mid-April until mid-October, and our ideal candidate is available for the full span of our operating season. Applicants with the longest dates of availability tend to be given first consideration.

If you're willing to do your job to the best of your ability, while providing the very best guest experiences in Badlands National Park, you'll definitely be an asset to our team. While experience in retail, food service, and hospitality is a plus, we welcome anyone with a genuine, enthusiastic desire to join our team in the Badlands! 

Room and Board

We offer shared employee housing with in-house laundry.  The rent is $50/week.  Free Wi-Fi is available for staff use.

Staff housing and staff RV spots are located at our Minute Man location 11 miles North of Cedar Pass Lodge.  We offer a free shuttle to work and back to the housing. Staff housing is within walking distance to the pool, basketball court, and other employee-active areas.  

We also have RV and trailer sites with full hookups available for those who like to bring their home along with them on their adventures. 

Employee Perks

In addition to affordable housing, we also offer staff VIP passes to most area attractions, Wi-Fi, and a discount every day at our gift shop and in our dining room.

We plan occasional shuttle rides to surrounding towns for shopping and take group trips to Mount Rushmore Monument, Crazy Horse, and the Black Hills attractions. 

Getting Here and Getting Around

We provide rides to and from the airport and bus depot for pick up and drop off at the beginning and end of the work season.

Rapid City Regional Airport - 4550 Terminal Road, Rapid City, SD 57703  - phone 605-393-9924

Jefferson Bus Depot @ Milo Barber Transportation Center - 333 6th Street, Rapid City, SD 57701  - phone 605-348-3300 

Our remote location is also well suited for those able to bring a vehicle to explore the wonders of our area on days off.

For Fun

You'll have the unique opportunity to live, work, and play in one of the most beautiful places on earth, surrounded by nature and peacefulness with miles of trails to hike, geologic splendor, and unrivaled scenic vistas to view.

There are many other sights nearby that are also must-see, including Mt. Rushmore, Wind Cave, Custer State Park, The Famous Wall Drug, and Crazy Horse. Rapid City is an hour and a half away, for those who like the occasional glimpse of city lights.

Other recreational opportunities vary but include exercise and game rooms, group sports, picnics, and shopping trips. There is no public transportation, but we do have scheduled company van trips throughout the season.

How to Apply

Use the APPLY HERE button below to view our available positions, and access and submit our online employment application. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email us!

Cedar Pass Lodge/Badlands Inn
20681 SD Highway 240
Interior, SD 57750

Phone: (605) 433-5460


Contact Badlands Cedar Pass Lodge