Hiking in Badlands

Badlands National Park SD hiking trails map along Hwy 240 (Badlands Loop Road). Near Ben Reifel Visitor Center: Door, Window, Notch, Cliff Shelf trails. West: Saddle Pass, Medicine Root, Castle. NW: Fossil Exhibit. No pets on trails.
Established Hiking Trails in Badlands National Park

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There are a variety of options when it comes to hiking in the Badlands. Whether you're looking for a short, easy boardwalk trail or a more challenging 10-mile trail through Badlands terrain, there is a hike in the park for everyone. All designated trails are within a few miles of the visitor center.

Download a copy of the park trail map (200K PDF).

Rules & Tips

  • Always carry water! Two quarts per person per two hour hike is recommended.
  • Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are strongly encouraged. Rain gear is also recommended, since weather conditions can change rapidly.
  • Wear sturdy boots or shoes to protect your feet from cactus spines and snake bites.
  • Keep a distance of at least 100 feet from all wildlife encountered during your hike. If wildlife reacts to your presence at all, you are too close.
  • Remember that all park resources—fossils, plants, animals, artifacts, and rocks—are to remain as you find them. All visitors are entitled to the same sense of discovery you experience when traveling the park trails, and collecting these items is illegal.
  • If you are unsure where to hike, consult with rangers at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. They can provide advice about trails, as well as recommendations for different fitness and experience levels.

Official Park Trails

 
Two hikers walk along Door Trail in Badlands National Park, following a marked path through rugged badlands formations and layered rock cliffs in the background.
Hikers on Door Trail

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Door Trail

Easy - 20 minutes round trip
Boardwalk - 0.26 mi/0.4 km round trip

This hike begins with an accessible 226-yard boardwalk leading through a break in the Badlands Wall known as “the Door” to an overlook viewing the Badlands. Beyond the boardwalk, a series of posts mark the remainder of the trail through the Badlands formations.

 
Overlook at the end of Window Trail in Badlands National Park, featuring expansive layered rock formations, eroded ridges, and deep gullies stretching to the horizon under a partly cloudy sky.
View at the end of Window Trail

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Window Trail

Easy - 20 minutes round trip
0.26 mi/0.41 km round trip

This short, accessible, boardwalk trail leads to a natural window in the Badlands Wall with a view of an intricately eroded canyon.
 
View from above the ladder on Notch Trail in Badlands National Park, looking out over rugged canyon walls, layered rock formations, and a sweeping valley below along the trail route.
View of the Notch Trail Ladder from above

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Notch Trail

Moderate to Strenuous - 1.5 to 2 hours round trip
1.25 mi/2 km round trip

This trail leads through a canyon, climbs up a rope ladder, and follows a ledge to “the Notch” for a dramatic view of the White River Valley. Watch for dropoffs and loose gravel.

Notch trail is NOT recommended for anyone with a fear of heights. The trail can be treacherous during and after rains. Caution is advised. Good hiking boots with ankle support are also reccomended.
 
Trailhead for Castle Trail in a barren badlands landscape, with a small wooden footbridge and a sign marking the trail entrance, surrounded by pale, eroded rock formations under a clear blue sky.
Trailhead to Castle Trail

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Castle Trail

Moderate - 5 hours round trip
10.2 mi/16.45 km round trip

This is the longest established trail in the Badlands stretching from the Door and Window parking lot to Fossil Exhibit Trail. This relatively level path passes through Badlands formations. Castle Trail can be divided into shorter hikes. Bring plenty of water.
 
A narrow dirt path winds through dry, golden prairie grass toward rugged, layered rock formations under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds along the Medicine Root Trail.
Medicine Root Loop Trail

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Medicine Root Loop Trail


Moderate - 2 hours round trip
4.18 mi/6.73 km round trip

This trail provides the opportunity to explore the mixed-grass prairie while enjoying views of the Badlands in the distance. Medicine Root trail can by accessed by parking at the pull-off along Old Northeast Road or by hiking Castle or Saddle Pass trails to their intersections with Medicine Root trail.
 
A boardwalk trail leads to a dirt trail surrounded in shade by juniper trees.
Juniper Trees along Cliff Shelf Nature Trail

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Cliff Shelf Nature Trail


Moderate - 30 minutes round trip
0.86 mi/1.38 km round trip

This loop trail is a combination of boardwalks, stairs, and natural paths that climbs approximately 200 feet in elevation. The trail weaves through juniper trees perched along the Badlands Wall and is a popular area for birdwatching.
 
A worn trail forks in two directions headed up a steep butte with a cloudy blue sky overhead.
Steep Section of Saddle Pass Trail

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Saddle Pass Trail


Strenuous - 40 minutes round trip
0.68 mi/1.09 km round trip

This short trail aggressively climbs up the Badlands Wall to a summit overlooking the White River Valley where it connects with Castle and Medicine Root Loop Trails. Saddle Pass trail is treacherous during and after rains and can be dangerous during extreme heat. Caution is advised.
 
People walking along a board walk trail with informational signs along the way, and Badlands buttes in the background.
Hikers on Fossil Exhibit Trail

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Fossil Exhibit Trail


Easy- 20 minutes round trip Boardwalk
0.34 mi./0.55 km round trip

This fully accessible boardwalk loop trail features fossil replicas and exhibits of now extinct creatures that once roamed the Badlands area.

Last updated: April 22, 2026

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

25216 Ben Reifel Road
Interior, SD 57750

Phone:

605 433-5361

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