Badlands National Park in South Dakota is home to 244,000 acres of land that protects prairies home to bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets. The best way to explore Badlands is by hiking. One of the most incredible things about this park is that they have trails for all skill levels. Many of the hikes are short and take place on a boardwalk. This guide will cover the best hikes in Badlands National Park.
Tips & Tricks – Best Hikes in Badlands National Park
- Stay hydrated. Hydration backpacks are a lifesaver! 2 quarts of water per person per 2-hour hike.
- Group your hikes based on location. This will prevent you from driving from one end of the park to the other multiple times.
- Keep a safe distance from wildlife (100 feet) & keep your eyes peeled for rattlesnakes.
- There is a ton of wildlife. We saw most of it while driving Badlands Loop Road. Drive slow and enjoy it.
- Bring a hat. There is no shade.
- Swing by the Ben Reifel Visitor Center and check out the Fossil Preparation Lab. We had the best time watching them clean off the fossils & ask questions. This is also a great place to use flush toilets or refill your water bottle.
- Get an America the Beautiful Pass. For $80 you & your family can get into any national park for a year. *Families of 4th graders get in free with the Every Kid Outdoor Program. Badlands National Park does have an entrance fee. It is $30 for a private vehicle.
- Conata Picnic Area is a perfect spot for a picnic. There are plenty of picnic tables there.
- Badlands is busiest in the summer months.
Map of Best Hikes In Badlands National Park
Best Hikes in Badlands National Park
I started the list with the highest-rated trail first. The trails cover a range of distances and difficulties. Under each hiking trail, you will find its difficulty & length.
Badlands National Park has an open hike policy. This means that you can hike off-trail. Practice extreme caution while in an open-hike policy situation. Cell service can be non-existent in the backcountry, Badlands formations can be slippery while climbing up or down & keep your distance from wildlife and be cautious of rattlesnakes.
1. Notch Trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 1.5 miles
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Elevation Gain: 127 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: March – October
- Dog Friendly: No
This trail is a must! Notch Trail is my family’s favorite trail in Badlands. We thought that the log ladder was fun & the views were impressive.
*Notch Trail is one of the most popular trails & is known to get busy creating a traffic jam at the ladder. We went early in the morning and had no problems.
*Climbing the ladder can be mentally challenging for some with a fear of heights. You can do it, I know you can.
See recent reviews on Notch Trail.
2. Door Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 0.9 miles
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Elevation Gain: 22 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: March – October
- Dog Friendly: No
The Door Trail at Badlands starts as an easy hike on a boardwalk. If you choose to continue the trail after the boardwalk ends, you’ll have to do some rock scrambling to get to the end of the trail. Watch for drop-offs!
See recent reviews of Door Trail.
3. Castle Trail & Medicine Root Trail Loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 11 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 314 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: March – October
- Dog Friendly: No
This trail is pretty flat and very scenic. While on it you’ll pass by large rock formations and grass prairies with beautiful views of vistas. There is a great chance you might see some wildlife on Castle Trail & Medicine Root Trail Loop.
*Shelter & shade are hard to come by on this long trail. Make sure you pack accordingly (windproof rain jacket, sun hat, sunblock, first aid kit, plenty of water, rattlesnake bite kit, etc.)
See recent reviews on Castle Trail & Medicine Root Trail Loop.
4. Saddle Pass Trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 0.7 miles
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Elevation Gain: 216 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: March – October
- Dog Friendly: No
Saddle Pass Trail is pretty steep that climbs over the Badlands Wall offering views of White River Valley. This trail is a very difficult climb after heavy rains.
See recent reviews on Saddle Pass Trail.
5. The Window Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 0.3 miles
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Elevation Gain: 13 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: March – October
- Dog Friendly: No
The Window Trail is a very short hike that ends with spectacular views of the natural window in the Badlands Wall. This trail is perfect for kids.
Window Parking Area – It is about 2 miles north of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. The parking lot has plenty of parking spaces but they can fill quickly. Here you will find trailheads for The Window Trail, The Notch Trail, Door Trail & Castle Trail.
See recent reviews on Window Trail.
6. Cliff Shelf Nature Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 0.5 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 65 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: March – October
- Dog Friendly: No
Cliff Shelf Nature Trail winds through a juniper forest and passes by a few small ponds offering unique views of the Badlands. The small ponds occasionally attract deer & big horn sheep making this trail great for wildlife viewing.
See recent reviews on Cliff Shelf Nature Trail.
7. Fossil Exhibit Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 0.4 miles
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Elevation Gain: 9 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: March – October
- Dog Friendly: No
Fossil Exhibit Trail is a boardwalk with fossil replicas and exhibits of the now-extinct animals that once lived there. This is a fully accessible trail that even includes braille in the exhibit signs.
See recent reviews on Fossil Exhibit Trail.
8. Castle Trail
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 10.3 miles
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Elevation Gain: 305 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: March – October
- Dog Friendly: No
Castle Trail is the longest trail in Badlands. The trail winds through Badlands formations. There is no shade so come prepared. Castle Trail starts at the Window Parking Area where you will travel 5 miles to the Fossil Exhibit Trail and then head back.
*Backcountry camping registration kiosks can be found in this parking lot.
See recent reviews on Castle Trail.
What to Pack for Badlands
Here is a list of must-haves for tackling the best hikes at Badlands National Park. I’ve linked my family’s favorite products to help you out. For hiking shoes and moisture-wicking clothes, I linked to our favorite brand as everyone prefers different styles of these products. To be honest, we will wear moisture-wicking clothes from anywhere, but prefer this brand when we can get it on sale. The same can be said for hiking shoes. Whatever you choose to wear doesn’t need to be expensive, it just needs to be comfortable and get you through your vacation.
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Helpful Resources To Plan Your Badlands Trip
Helpful Resources We Can’t Live Without
Accommodations- We love and swear by HiltonHonors, but when we want to stay someplace different, we use Hotels.com. You can search for deals on hotels, cabins, houses & more.
Getting There- Roadtripping with our car is how we prefer to travel. That being said, Skyscanner has great deals on flights and RVShare has deals on RV rentals.
Other Favorites-
Save money on gas- Upside
Find pit stops on your route- RoadTrippers
Deals on local food & attractions- Living Social
Explore top city attractions at a fraction of the price- CityPASS
Looking for gear? See the best deals on clothing & gear here, & best travel essentials here.
Looking for road trip food ideas? Check out food for road trips you’ll love.
Learn how to travel on a budget.
See the best hiking apps
Things to do Near Badlands National Park
- Mount Rushmore in Rapid City, SD
- Custer State Park in Custer, SD
- Black Hills National Forest in Pennington County, SD
- Crazy Horse Memorial in Crazy Horse, SD
- Devil’s Tower National Monument in Devils Tower, WY
- Wall Drugstore in Wall, SD
- Feed prairie dogs at Badlands Ranch Store in Phillip, SD
Other unique places to hike –
Hiking Smith Rock State Park – The Complete Guide with Dogs
Stephen’s Gap Cave – Everything You Need to Know
Hiking Oregon’s Tamolitch Blue Pool – The Ultimate Guide
50+ Waterfalls in New York in 3 Days
20 Easy Hikes in Yellowstone National Park
Don’t forget this one on food for road trips-
Food for Roadtrips – Ideas You’ll Actually Love
FAQ-Best Hikes In Badlands National Park
Is the Badlands good for hiking?
Badlands is a great place for hiking. There are plenty of short, easy trails and a few longer trails up to 10 miles in length. Badlands National Park is a perfect spot to hike regardless of your skill level. There’s something for everyone.
How much time do you need in the Badlands?
It really depends on what you want to see and do. Most of the Badlands can be seen in a half-day. You don’t need more than 1 day at Badlands unless you truly want to see everything while taking your time.
How long does it take to hike Castle Trail Badlands?
Castle Trail typically takes around 3 hours & 20 minutes to complete.
Where is the best place to hike in Badlands National Park?
Notch Trail is the best place to hike in Badlands. It is the most fun and exciting trail.
What is the longest trail in Badlands National Park?
The longest trail in Badlands National Park is Castle Trail. This trail is 10.3 miles and typically takes an average of 3 hrs. 20 min. to complete.
Final Thoughts on Best Hikes in Badlands
That’s a wrap on the best Badland trails. Many of the suggested trails would be great for day hikes in Badlands National Park.
Share your favorite trails or the trails that top your bucket list in the comments. We’d love to hear all about them.
Badlands is very scenic with a plethora of wildlife and hiking trails for all skill levels, making it the perfect National Park for families.
Pin Now, Travel Later
Thank you for including tips on what to bring aside from places good for hiking, especially when hiking with kids. These tips will help lessen the stress as all the needed items are packed inside the bag.