Badlands National Park in South Dakota maintains eight hiking trails ranging in length from 1/4 mile to 10 miles. Hikers should carry water. Park rangers recommend wearing a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Carry rain gear on any hike lasting more than 30 minutes since weather conditions can change quickly. Badlands is a harsh environment for people due to lack of water and natural shelter but prepared hikers can enjoy its vast and diverse beauty safely. Hikers are required to stay on the trails.
Easy Trails
Window, Door and Fossil Exhibit Trails are rated as easy. Take 20 minutes to follow Window, a quarter-mile trail, leading to a natural window in the Badlands Wall at an elevation of 2,664 feet. Door has an accessible boardwalk for part of the trail. Allow 20 to 40 minutes for this hike. Fossil Exhibit is a fully accessible trail, which loops for 1/4 mile featuring exhibits of extinct animals and fossil replicas representing those found in the region long ago. Allot 25 minutes to walk this trail. Restrooms are available in the parking areas of these trails.
Moderate Trails
Cliff Shelf, Medicine Root Loop and Castle trails are moderate hikes. Cliff Shelf is a 1/2 mile looping nature trail of boardwalks and stairs which climb 200 feet in elevation. Spend 30 to 45 minutes on this hike. Medicine Root Loop is in a different biome (community of plants and animals) from the previously mentioned trails; it is a 4-mile trek through mixed grass prairie on this two-hour hike. Castle Trail is the longest trail in the park at 10 miles roundtrip along mostly level terrain among Badlands formations. Medicine Root intersects Castle making it possible to hike the Medicine Root leg on your return trip for variety of terrain and biomes. Allow five or more hours to traverse this trail.
Moderate to Strenuous Trail
The 1.5 miles Notch Trail wanders through a canyon, climbs a ladder and goes along a ledge for a breathtaking view of the White River Valley. Avoid this trail if you have a fear of heights or after a heavy rain. Be alert for dropoffs. Plan on two hours for this hike.
Strenuous Trail
Saddle Pass is a short strenuous trail. Climb up the steep Badlands Wall in only 1/4 mile to view the White River Valley. The trail intersects Medicine Root and Castle for those wanting a longer hike. Roundtrip for Saddle Pass takes almost one hour. Do not try it after rains.
Precautions & Guidelines
Stay on trails and watch for dropoffs. Be especially careful after rains when the rocks are slippery. Wear close-toed shoes or boots. Badlands’ thunderstorms produce lightning; return to your car for safety. Stay aware of current weather forecasts. Winter weather can be especially unpredictable. Rock formations may be unstable; take care when climbing buttes. Rangers recommend using good judgment and staying alert to remain safe. Mobile phones do not work in most of the park. Be aware of rattlesnakes. Stay at least 100 yards from wildlife. It is illegal to remove rocks, flower or animals. Check with a ranger regarding camping overnight in the backcountry.
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