Your Complete Badlands Hiking Guide: From Easy Boardwalks to Challenging Climbs

The window trail at Badlands National Park in South Dakota — Window Trail, Badlands National Park

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Best Hikes in Badlands National Park

There are eight developed hiking trails in Badlands National Park and the rest of the park has an Open Hike Policy giving you access to all 244,000 acres.

All of the developed trails in Badlands National Park start from parking lots along the Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240) making it really easy to access.

Whether you choose to hike to see the Badlands, fossil beds, sunrises, or wildlife like Prairie Dogs, Mule Deer, Bison, and Bighorn Sheep, the Badlands has a trail for you.

Door Trail: Walk Through the Badlands Wall

Trail Length: .75 miles round trip
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30 minutes
ADA Accessible: .25 mile boardwalk leads through a break in the Badlands Wall known as "the Door" to a panoramic view of the Badlands. After this point, the trail is not ADA Accessible
Starting Point: Northern end of large Door and Window parking area

This is a fun hike where a boardwalk leads through a break in the Badlands Wall known as "the Door" and straight to a view of the Badlands! Once off the boardwalk, you will feel up close and personal with these amazing rock formations!

The Door Trail shares a parking lot with the Window Trail and is an ideal spot to watch the sunrise!

The Window Viewpoint on the Window Trail at Badlands National Park — The Window Viewpoint on the Window Trail

Window Trail: Quick & Easy Badlands View

Trail Length: .25 Miles roundtrip
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Time: 15-30 minutes
ADA Accessible: The Window Trail is ADA Accessible
Starting Point: Center of Door and Window Parking Lot

The Window Trail is a short easy 150-yard walk along a boardwalk. The trail ends with a nice viewpoint that has a dramatic view of the Badlands.

I would consider this an easy hike suitable for young kids. It takes you to a natural "window", a great place to take in the view of the Badlands Wall and its eroded canyon.

Fossil Exhibit Trail Badlands National Park — Fossil Exhibit Trail

Fossil Exhibit Trail: Ancient History on Display

Trail Length: .25 miles loop
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Starting Point: 5 miles northwest of Ben Reifel Visitor Center on the Badlands Loop Road
ADA Accessible: Fully accessible boardwalk

The Fossil Exhibit Trail is a quick loop past replicas of fossils discovered in the Badlands. I really felt this was a great trail and easy access for people to get closeup and personal with the Badlands.

Castle Trail Badlands National Park — Castle Trail

Castle Trail: Badlands Longest Maintained Trail

Trail Length: 5.25 miles one-way
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 3 hours and 15 minutes is the average time to hike this trail
Starting Point: Fossil Exhibit Trail and the Door/Window parking area

The Castle Trail is the park's longest trail (maintained trail). It is considered a moderate hike is it is relatively flat but it can feel much worse for those ill-prepared.

There is virtually no shade and the summers get extremely hot so make sure to carry plenty of water, have a good pair of boots, and keep an eye out for rattlesnakes along the trail.

log ladder on Notch Trail Badlands National Park — The log ladder portion of the Notch Trail

Notch Trail: Famous Ladder Climb & Epic Views

Distance: 1.5 Miles Roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous hike
Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete
Starting Point: North end of the Door and Window parking lot

The Notch Trail is perhaps one of the most memorable and popular hikes within Badlands National Park.

This is the famous hike where you will take a planked log ladder up a Butte incline.

Use caution if the planks are wet or muddy as they become extremely slippery.

The trail travels through a small canyon, then up a ladder, past a dry 20-foot waterfall, and then ends at a natural wall.

Please keep an eye out for sharp drop-offs.

Badlands National Park Trail Map — Badlands National Park Hiking Trails map, Photo credit NPS

Saddle Pass Trail: Steepest Climb in the Park

Trail Length: .7 miles out and back trail
Trail Difficulty: moderate with just over 200" in elevation gain
Time: Approximately 30 minutes
Starting Point: Loop Road, 2 miles west of Cedar Pass

The Saddle Pass Trail is a short trail and the steepest trail in the park.

The trail climbs up the Badlands Wall for .25 miles to a view of the White River Valley then connects to the Castle Trail.

People who like to climb will enjoy this trail!

Cliff Shelf Nature Trail: Prairie Oasis Loop

Trail Length: .5 mile loop trail
Trail Difficulty: Easy to moderate 200 feet in elevation with stairs and boardwalks.
Time: 15-30 minutes
Starting Point: ½ mile north of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center

The Cliff Shelf Nature Trail winds through a wooded prairie oasis surrounded by Badlands.

You can wander in and out of small, tree-shaded areas and take advantage of the boardwalks as you wander.

A small pond occasionally exists in the area and draws wildlife, such as deer or bighorn sheep.

Medicine Root Trail: Mixed Grass Prairie Experience

Trail Length: 2 miles one way
Trail difficulty: moderate
Time: Medicine Root Trail itself is approximately 1 hour
Starting Point: Can be accessed by either Castle Trail Trailhead or the Saddle Pass Trailhead (look at the trail map)

The Medicine Root Trail is a trail that makes a loop off of the Castle Trail.

There is no best way to hike the trail but it does provide you with numerous options.

You can make a short hike up Saddle Pass Trail then make a loop trail with the Castle Trail and Medicine Root Trail.

You can start at one of the Castle Trail trailheads and make the Castle Trail and Medicine Loop Trail creating a Medicine Root Loop then head back to the trailhead you started or you can hike the entire Castle Trail one way and then hike back using the Medicine Loop Trail the other way.

However you choose to hike, on this trail, you can expect to see the mixed-grass prairie with flowers and butterflies. Just be careful as the rattlesnakes like this area as well.

Backcountry/ Open Hike Badlands National Park: Explore 244,000 Open Acres

Badlands National Park has an Open Hike Policy giving you access to all 244,000 acres.

This means that when you decide to go for a great hike in Badlands National Park, you are allowed to explore the park off-trail. Just remember there are still rules that apply to hike in the backcountry.

Stay at least 100 feet away from wildlife
No Pets are allowed
Carry plenty of water!
Carry the 10 essentials for outdoor survival including a detailed map of Badlands National Park
Fossils, plants, animals, artifacts, and rocks are to remain as you find them

Hiking in the backcountry means that your own personal safety is up to you, especially when not on a busy trail where you can request help from another park visitor.

It is always wise to let someone know when you are leaving, where you plan on hiking, and when you plan on returning.

Remember the Badlands get extreme heat in the summer and extreme cold in the winter. There is little protection from the sun so make sure to wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen.

Make sure to look for trail markers and recognizable waypoints as it is easy to get confused and lost in the maze of the Badlands.

Always pay attention and know when sunrise and sunset are, especially after the Summer Solstice (the first day of summer).

This is when the days start to get shorter and when I have received most of the lost hiker's calls while working as a Park Ranger.

Hikers simply head out too late to go for a hike and is impossible for them to get back before it gets dark.

Backcountry hiking in Badlands National Park

Can I bring my pet on a Badlands Trail?

Pets are prohibited on trails. Pets are also prohibited from public buildings, backcountry areas, Badlands Wilderness Area, and prairie dog colonies.

Areas where you can take your pet are in developed areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, gravel roads, paved roads, and parking lots.

Pets must be on a leash at all times no longer than 6 feet in length and always clean up animal waste and dispose of it in trash receptacles.

Badlands National Park Tours

⭐️ 4.6 of 5 Stars - Badlands National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour - Click here for Rates and Availability.

Learn all about the park's overlooks, hiking trails, history, and more as you travel along the Badlands Wall with this private self-guided app tour. The app's virtual narrorator shares fascinating facts about the national park, from local culture to fossils, while letting you explore at your own pace and terms.

⭐️ 4.8 of 5 Stars - Badlands NP Private Tour - Click here for Rates and Availability.

Enjoy a private tour of the park and stop at famous features including a stop at Wall, South Dakota. Learn about the history of the area and spend the day discovering the rare geology of the Badlands.

Additional Lodging in Badlands National Park

⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Cedar Pass Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.

Stay amongst the stunning scenery of Badlands National Park with eco-friendly cabins with modern amenities. Don't forget to stop in the Cedar Pass Restaurant for time-honored classics from the Great Plains reimagined, crafted with locally inspired ingredients.

⭐️ 3.7 of 5 Stars - Badlands Inn - Click here for Rates and Availability.

Just past the entrance gate, and minutes from the hub of Badlands National Park's visitor center is the Badlands Inn, a great basecamp for your Badlands adventure. We had a clean, spacious room, with a nice comfortable bed. Rooms included free parking, free Wi-Fi, coffee maker, toiletries, refrigerator, air conditioning and more.

Badlands Lodging near the park

⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Best Western Plains Motel - Click here for Rates and Availability.

Free continental breakfast, an arcade/game room, and a gym are just a few of the amenities provided at Best Western Plains Motel. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. In addition to a business center, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

⭐️ 4.1 of 5 Stars - America's Best Value Inn Wall - Click here for Rates and Availability.

America's Best Value Inn is a short 4 minute walk to the National Grasslands Visitor Center, and 7 minutes to Wall Drug. Badlands National Park is 7.2 miles away, and Minnuteman Missile National Historic Site is 6.9 miles making a great hub for area attractions

They offer free continental breakfast, a free daily manager's reception, and laundry facilities. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a bar and a gym.

Click on the map below to see additional vacation rental and lodging options near the park.

Badlands National Park Entrance Fee

Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.

Park Entrance Pass - $30.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $25.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

Annual Park Entrance Pass - $55.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.

$25.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)

$50.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats

$60.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats

$150.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats

Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.

Additional Information about Badlands National Park

Complete Guide to Badlands National Park - Your guide to exploring Badlands National Park
Things To Do in Badlands National Park - List of activities to do in Badlands National Park. Activities include driving the Badlands Loop Road and Sage Creek Rim Road, exploring the Ben Reifel Visitor's Center and fossil preparation lab, and attending a night sky program from one of the park ranger programs held at the park Amphitheater
Badlands Inn - Lodge is located just 1 mile outside the park, just a short distance from the park entrance near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center
Cedar Pass Lodge and Cabins - Located near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, the Cedar Pass Lodge offers spectacular views of the Badlands formations, a restaurant, a gift shop, and convenience store, and much more.
Badlands Camping Guide - Complete camping guide to camping in Badlands National Park
Cedar Pass Campground - The park's main front country campground is located near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Each site has covered picnic tables
Sage Creek Campground - located in the Sage Creek Wilderness Area, the Sage Creek Campground is for those who like solitude and like to get away from the crowds
History of Badlands National Park - Learn more about the park before exploring this National Treasure!

Door Trail and Window Trail Intersection at Badlands National Park — Door Trail and Window Trail Intersection

Additional National Park Service Sites near Badlands National Park

There are several National Park Sites located in the Black Hills of South Dakota making it one of the best All-American Road Trips in America! Listed below are other parks to visit and camping options: