In winter it snows heavily in the Badlands and the temperature is freezing cold. Trailhead address: Badlands Loop Road (SD 240), Badlands National Park, Interior, SD 57750. Badlands National Park Hikes and Things to do | The Planet D Those with very young children might prefer this trail as family? 3. It is located in central South Dakota and about 1 hour 30 minutes away from Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Annual Passes are also available for purchase. There's no shortage of hiking and backpacking destinations in the Black Hills and Badlands, with 1.2 million acres of Black Hills National Forest, nearly a quarter of a million acres of Badlands National Park and hundreds of miles of marked trails within those areas. Know your limits. If you are looking to make a reservation for either the Cedar Pass campground or cabins, you will need to contact Cedar Pass Lodge. Well share our favorite Badlands hikes with you, plus give you our best tips and tricks to help you plan! Behind that, you can see the walking path, and then the parking lot. To get to the trailhead: Take Badlands Loop Road (Route 240) two miles east of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center to a large turnout on the east side of the road for Door, Window, and Notch Trails. The Best Hikes in South Dakota's Badlands National Park - TripSavvy My recommendation, especially if you want to enjoy a full day with either sunrise or sunset at the park, is to stay in the small town of Wall, South Dakota, on your trip to Badlands National Park. This guide will cover the best hikes in Badlands National Park. Badlands and South Dakota will be a place you will dream of returning to, time and again. I love the collapsible water bottles to save space. The sandstone layers contain rich fossils. Water and lots of it! The Cliff Shelf Nature Trail is located in the southern part of the Badlands and takes you to a viewing platform raised high above the parks beautiful landscape. Many hiking trails follow the sides of steep ravines and go along the Badlands Wall. Its trailhead is at the Door/Window parking lot and winds its way through grassy areas and around rock formations all the way to the Fossil Exhibit Trail. Last updated: April 27, 2022. Preview trail Kid friendly Backpacking Camping Hiking Walking Running Views Wildflowers Wildlife Over grown Rocky No shade Fee No dogs Description Badlands National Park charges a fee to enter. The Amateur Photographers Guide to Badlands National Park. For detailed hours, check the official website. It has a huge parking lot, as it shares the same lot with three other trailheads. Follow the Castle Trail back to the junction with the Saddle Pass Trail, which you will then take back to your car. While we think the hikes in Badlands National Park that we mentioned above are really awesome and a great way to explore the park, off trail hiking is great way to experience solitude and escape the crowds. Venturing beyond that is basically at your own risk. Badlands National Park: The Complete Guide - TripSavvy Some parts of this trail can be slippery after a rainfall. If you don't see it at first, check your spam. You can learn more about fossils from the displays along the way. I felt, they were more majestic and grander than the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Hiking in Badlands National Park is a must-do when visiting this South Dakota gem. However, if you have a fear of heights and arent keen on doing the ladder portion of the Notch Trail, this is a good alternative hike in Badlands National Park. If youre properly prepared, you can certainly make your own off the beaten path hiking adventure in the Badlands! The Lower Plains once resembled the Upper Plains but were continuously eroded over a million years by the water of the White River to create the unusual topography known as the Badlands. 1. But before we get into the amazing hikes in Badlands National Park, take a look at our complete Badlands guide that goes over everything you need to know about planning your visit to the Badlands, from things to do, to best times to visit, to costs, camping, and more. Notch Trail: 4436 Reviews, Map - South Dakota | AllTrails If you venture on the Castle Trail or multi-day Sage Creek Loop, you will experience unforgettable vistas. Featuring interpretive exhibits that showcase a variety of replica fossils, the Fossil Exhibit Trail is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the creatures that once roamed those lands. The Medicine root trail offers a different perspective of the parks diverse ecosystem and a small respite from the crowds. Its mostly flat, but weaves its way in and out and up and down some fun Badlands formations. At the end of your hike, youll enjoy lovely vistas as you reach the trails highlight: the Notch, a natural opening in the Badlands wall that offers a mesmerizing view of the surrounding canyons. There is a dedicated parking lot for the Window, Door, and Notch trail, providing easy access to the trailhead. These cookies do not store any personal information. The Sioux Indians who lived in the Badlands were the first to name them; the native name for the area is mako sica, which literally translated is land bad and stands for the fact that they are dangerous lands to traverse. If youre a fast and strong hiker, you can definitely do all the maintained hikes in Badlands National Park in just one day! If you dont plan to hike off trail, theres really no need for anything more extensive in our opinion, as all the trails are well marked and easy to navigate, and many are short and interpretive trails that are impossible to lose your way on. However, as soon as you venture further into the backcountry or along any gravel more remote roads, you will lose cell reception fast. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The Window Trail is a short yet rewarding hike that offers spectacular views of the Badlands Wall, a 100 mile long ridge that spans across the South Dakota plains. Badlands has an Astronomy Festival with incredible sky viewing opportunities in the first week of July; August provides ample chances to view the Perseid Meteor Shower. This is where you will find the Badlands Loop Road, Sage Creek Wilderness Drive, and the top hikes and overlooks in the park. You need a great pair of hiking shoes with amazing grip to hike inside Badlands and scale up to the Badlands Wall. These combination options wouldnt really decrease your mileage for the day versus doing the entire Castle Trail as an out and back, but it would allow you to see different scenery along most of the hike instead of repeating the entire trail twice. Saddle Pass Trail is a 0.25 miles (roundtrip) short but strenuous trail that quickly ascends the Badlands Wall and has great views over the White River Valley from the top. We also saw the many mounds and layers of soil making up the Badlands and learned stories about the Lakota Indians tribe. You just need to wet the towel before use, wring it to remove water, and then snap it it becomes ice cold and is perfect to wipe yourself with. This lovely and unexpected loop trail will immerse you in the parks remarkable juniper forest. I was totally unprepared for that revelation called the Dakota Badlands. 1. The Lodge does often get full in peak season and around holidays; alternatively, you can also stay at the hotels located in the Badlands Wall Drug area. While the North unit is managed by NPS, the South unit is all Lakota Nation. The 11 Best Hikes in Badlands National Park And the beauty is, you can completely tailor the length of this hike by turning back at any point. Castle Trail: 820 Reviews, Map - South Dakota | AllTrails It's also one of the most breathtaking! No question. The road extends about 5 miles from Highway 27 before it reaches the top of the table and a scenic overlook. This is most important for Saddle Pass and Notch trails. Starting from the Conata Picnic Area, this is a 2.5 mile one way social trail (meaning its unmarked and unmaintained by the park). Notch Trail. Days, when the temperature is 100-114 F, can also occur during the summer months. Some of the best hikes in Badlands National Park are short and easy. If you are interested in camping at Badlands National Park, there are two campgrounds. You can purchase passes directly from the National Park Service website. Then the trail continues along a ledge; we recommend hikers to be on the lookout for steep drop-offs and exercise extra caution if visiting after heavy rainfall. The Badlands feature some pretty large animals such as bison and bighorn sheep, which can pose a threat to humans if they are provoked. Also, check the weather forecast for rain or thunderstorm before you begin hiking. While summer is a peak season to visit, temperatures are frequently hovering around the 90 F mark and it is crucial to carry plenty of water, keep yourself hydrated, start hiking in the early morning, wear hats, and apply sunscreen to beat the terrible heat. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The Bad Lands grade all the way from those that are almost rolling in character to those that are so fantastically broken in form and so bizarre in color as to seem hardly properly to belong to this earth. Theodore Roosevelt, the great conservationist President. Carry a high SPF, waterproof one like the Neutrogena Non-greasy sunscreen stick. See tours 2. While short in length, the Saddle Pass trail requires moderate fitness due to its steep and rocky terrain. If youre short on time or only want to do a few representative trails in the Badlands, we would recommend The Notch Trail, the Door Trail, and the Fossil Exhibit Trail. I am generally afraid of heights and do not like ladders, but I was determined to give Notch Trail a try. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Check them out here for more information on places near Badlands National Park that you can put on your South Dakota itinerary, such as Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, and Mt. Badlands is also just a day away from Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton so you can easily see all three national parks on a grand road trip in the area. We hiked in the early morning and then again in the late afternoon while relaxing at our campsite at noon. in Badlands National Park. The Castle Trail is a 5-mile, point-to-point trail that wanders through the "backcountry" of Badlands National Park. The trails listed in this post are true gems and really showcase the parks awe-inspiring landscapes. Walking through the badlands at the start of the Castle Trail hike in Badlands National Park. 3. Or you can simply take this trail up to the Castle Trail, and walk as far down the Castle Trail in either direction as youd like before turning around and retracing your steps back to your car. Although, if you intend to wander off-trail in the backcountry, make sure you have some backcountry experience and have proper devices for navigating. At A Glance Hikes in Badlands National Park Three Hikes Accessed From One Parking Area Door Trail Window Trail Notch Trail More Designated Hikes in Badlands National Park Cliff Shelf Trail Fossil Exhibit Trail Castle Trail Backcountry Hiking in Badlands National Park Thanks for Your Support At A Glance All our recommendations are for hiking in good weather; we have no experience of hiking the Badlands during snow / in winter. The landforms also photograph beautifully in the early morning after sunrise and in twilight an hour after sunset. Don't Miss These 8 Best Hikes In Badlands National Park At 5 miles long one way, the Castle Trail is the longest marked trail at Badlands. The Door Trail is a short boardwalk (accessible) trail that leads to a break in the Badlands Wall called the Door. The Badlands can experience some pretty dramatic weather extremes that are important to be aware of. Wed recommend sticking to these, or at least always keeping them in sight. Time: 3-4 hours. From driving a scooter through a monsoon in Thailand to moving to Nepal for 7 months, my life is a constant adventure. However, it is good to note that June is considered the rainiest season for the park. Check park conditions and trail/road status here. The Saddle Pass Trail is a steep and challenging hike that ascends to the top of the Badlands Wall and rewards hikers with panoramic views over the White River Valley. This will help avoid hiking in the midday heat, but also help you avoid the midday and afternoon crowds that can be found on hikes in Badlands National Park. The Sage Creek Campground is a primitive campground without potable water; it doesnt take reservations and can be used to secure a last-minute first come first served campsites. The Castle Trail is the longest hike in Badlands National Park. 5. We really felt like we were on the moon on this Badlands National Park hike! For non-pass holders, the entrance fee is $15 weekly per car or $7 weekly per person. Saddle Pass Trail (Badlands National Park) - Tripadvisor NPS Photo Please note: Many activities in the park have been affected by COVID-19 pandemic response. Annual Passes are also available for purchase. Its actually quite a bit of a walk from one side to the other, so come expecting that! Carry along a hiking rain jacket to stay dry in case of rain. The national park and hikes are in remote areas and the only food source is what you carry along with you. Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open throughout the year except on major holidays while White River Visitor Center is open only in summer. There are 8 official hiking trails in Badlands National Park: Door Trail - Easy Window Trail - Easy Notch Trail - Moderate Cliff Shelf Nature Trail - Easy to moderate Fossil Exhibit Trai l - Easy Castle Trail - Moderate Medicine Root Loop - Moderate Saddle Pass - Moderate to strenuous In fact, you can see the stairs of the Nature Trail right from the Notch Trail overlook. *. Your email address will not be published. Let us know in the comments! Youll walk along a boardwalk that stretches out into the geological formations and can interact with the tactile exhibits as you go. You can check the average monthly temperatures here to get an idea of the weather in Badlands National Park. Plan the perfect trip to Badlands National Park with this free printable travel planner. Elevation: Flat. The park accepts America the Beautiful National Parks Pass. The most popular variation of the hike starts with a marked path next to the Castle Trail and ends at the intersection between the Castle Trail and the Saddle Pass Trail. The Medicine Root Trail is a unique hike in Badlands National Park in that it wanders through prairie rather than badland formations, though you do get a view of the Badlands off in the distance. From here you can venture back down Saddle Pass or continue on to explore Castle and Medicine Root. In my opinion, the point of doing Notch is the hike itself. Start at one end of the Castle Trail and hike to the junction with the Medicine Root Trail. The best way to explore Badlands is by hiking. It can either be done as a very long out and back 10 mile hike, or, even better, you can do this as a shuttle hike if you have a second car in your group. You can park at the Door and Window Trail parking area and cross the street to begin the hike. Im going to give you a disclaimer up front. The Badlands have many prairie dogs that can appear harmless but can carry the plague. The trail is consistently flat and traverses the parks rolling grasslands and winds through colourful rock formations. My husband loves the Northface Mens waterproof jacket for its comfort and multiple pockets. The trail dramatically stops at the Notch and offers amazing views of the White River Valley. The landscape inside Badlands is notorious for its rough gravelly texture, uneven terrain, and extreme dryness. It makes for the perfect easy hike, with the road cutting between beautiful rock formations as you go. Hotel and food options in Wall are somewhat limited but we had a very comfortable stay at the Best Western Plains Motel. Some can even hold a small portable camera for easy access. If being very close to Badlands National Park is not super important to you then you could stay in Rapid City, South Dakota. From dramatic rock formations to the unique plant and animal life, the park offers a diverse range of experiences for all you fellow nature lovers out there. In this Badlands National Park hiking guide: Castle Trail/Saddle Pass Trail/Medicine Root Trail, Tips for hiking in Badlands National Park, Best time to hike in Badlands National Park, What to pack for hiking in Badlands National Park, More things to do in and near Badlands National Park. Watch for drop-offs. Many of the hikes are short and take place on a boardwalk. Trailhead Traveler's Recommended Best Hikes in Badlands National Park Castle Trail Badlands National Park - Castle Trail, Photo by Eugene Eric Kim This is the longest trail in the park and can be used to access some of the trails below to make an 'ultra' Badlands circuit hike. Door Trail Distance: 0.75 miles | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Elevation Gain: Minimal | Time: 30 minutes If you want to get up close with the amazing rock formations of the Badlands without a full-on hike, this is a great option. We would say the best time to hike in Badlands National Park would be the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, mostly due to weather considerations. The Badlands and South Dakota strongly imbibe values of the American Heartland; life here is hard, rustic, and simple. Keep at least 100 feet from any wildlife you encounter on the trails in the Badlands. How to get to the Saddle Pass Trail in Badlands National Park: This Badlands hike is located along Badlands Loop Road, about half way between the Visitor Center and the Fossil Exhibit Trail. Things to do in Badlands National Parks: best hikes, scenic drives & tours The Door in the Badlands Wall allows hikers to go beyond the boardwalk and into the rugged landscape for great views; we recommend exercising usual caution. The Window Trail is a flat walk out to a viewpoint over the Badlands, and there are some features to observe or play on along the way. Whether youre seeking a leisurely stroll or desire to take on a bit of a challenge, Badlands National Park has it all. Notch Trail Hiking Stats Distance: 1.5 miles round trip Difficulty: Easy The best place to stay for hiking in Badlands National Park is camping in the park itself. 6. MOUNT RUSHMORE - Read our Mount Rushmore guide to get tips to plan your visit. While you can explore wherever, there are posts in the ground that you can follow to take you through the rock features and guide you back to the maintained trail when youre done. Plan Your Visit. In this post, well dive into the best hikes in Badlands National Park, guiding you through the untamed beauty of this remarkable natural wonder. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Hubby and I love GuideAlong and have spent literally days driving through the United States following along with multiple tours. I mean, who doesnt love traversing canyons, climbing wooden ladders, and exploring endless lookout points? 1.5 miles out and back. This region of the Badlands is honestly the place where we felt most like we were on the moon! Includes a climb up a log ladder plus some areas of scrambling. purchasing the Black Hills, Rushmore, Devils Tower & Badlands National Park Tour, Badlands National Park itinerary for one perfect day in the park, How to hike Notch Trail in Badlands National Park, Frontcountry camping at Cedar Pass Campground or Sage Creek Campground. The Cedar Pass Campground is the largest with 96 sites; some with electrical hookups. The 9 Best Hikes in Badlands National Park By Wendy Altschuler Updated on 01/31/22 Peter Unger / Getty Images See disclaimer. The Pinnacles Overlook is one of the first stops on the loop if you're driving from west to east. Badlands National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour. This hike is ten miles roundtrip and is relatively flat and easy for most of the way. There are a few options for you: While you can see a lot of Badlands from driving the Badlands Loop Road and enjoying the scenic overlooks, my opinion is that you shouldnt pass up the opportunity to explore what you can on foot. In the far distance in the right is the Badlands Visitor Center. Besides hiking, Badlands offers plenty of things to do in the area for visitors. So lace up your hiking shoes, pack your camera, and prepare for an unforgettable time through the best scenery the Badlands has to offer. Youll find the stunning Badlands National Park nestled in the picturesque landscapes of southwestern South Dakota.