If you’ve ever wanted to go hiking on another planet, the Badlands National Park is your next best bet. The canyons, spires, and buttes rising from the ground in brilliant colors and textures are otherworldly. With vast prairies and barren sediment resembling a desert, you would never expect that the Badlands were formed after millions of years of extreme conditions of wind and water. The national park is now home to a variety of wildlife including bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs, in addition to the richest fossil bed in the world. What better way to experience it all than with a hike on the trails at the Badlands National Park.
I’ve compiled this detailed list on several of the hiking trails below. But first there are some things you should know before you head out to the Badlands.
Things To Keep In Mind
Before you go to the Badlands, there are some very important ground rules that everybody needs to know in order to protect themselves and the park. I’ve also covered some common questions that visitors have about the park.
Tread Lightly
First things first, the sediment formations that make the Badlands unique are highly fragile. Do NOT walk on or climb on the narrow slivers of sediment – even if you see other people doing it. They are not as strong as they look and will crumble under your feet – if not traumatically, it will slowly over time. As stated before, it took millions of years for those beautiful ravines and pinnacles to form. However, that can all be destroyed with a single careless act. Please do your part to preserve the park for everyone to enjoy by staying on the trails in Badlands National Park.
Don't Venture Too Close to the Prairie Dogs
Another point to keep in mind: prairie dogs are carriers of bubonic plague. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been fearful for tourists who venture too close for pictures of the prairie dog towns. All it takes for an infection to occur is a bite from an infected flea or touching an infected animal. While the bubonic plague can be treated with medications if caught early, it can cause serious complications and even death in humans and their pets. (Read more about bubonic plague from the CDC here). In fact, some parts of Denver were forced to shut down when prairie dog colonies were known to be infected with bubonic plague in Summer 2019. Protect yourselves and keep your distance from those adorable rodents.
Admire the Buffalo From Afar
The final important ground rule for the Badlands National Park: leave the buffalo alone. Do not get out of your car to take photos of them. Do not roll down your windows to touch them. Do not honk at the buffalo. And absolutely do NOT approach the buffalo. American buffalo are very territorial and aggressive creatures. They will charge you (or your car) if you get too close or if they feel threatened, and there’s no promising you won’t be gored. They are wild beasts, but they’re also majestic and grand. Admire them safely from a distance. If a buffalo shows any response to your presence, then you are too close.
Note: Buffalo may become curious as you’re driving by and lick the salt off your car, but don’t fret. Be patient until the roadway is clear, then drive away slowly.
How Long Does It Take to Drive The Badlands Loop?
It takes about 1 hour to drive straight through the Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway (Hwy 240) from the Pinnacles Entrance to the Northeast Entrance. However, it will likely take you longer than that if you want to stop at all the turnouts and overlooks for pictures and memories.
If you’re coming from Rapid City, try to stop for a bathroom break before entering the park, because there are no bathrooms until you reach the Fossil Exhibit trailhead (~30 mins if you go straight from the Pinnacles Entrance). After that, there are bathrooms at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center and the Door/Window parking.
You can see the park maps and trail details at the following websites:
Keep in mind that there is no food in or around the Badlands National Park (other than Wall Drug, which I have no experience with, so I cannot confidently recommend making a stop there). You will want to plan accordingly. After a long day’s worth of adventure, you’ll be super hungry.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Into the Badlands National Park?
At the time of writing this, entry into the Badlands National Park costs $30 per vehicle for up to 7 days, or $15 per person for up to 7 days. For full details, visit the National Park Service page here.
What to Bring
While the majority of the hiking trails in the Badlands National Park are pretty short, I recommend packing lots of water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat since there is no relief from the sun in the barren land. I also recommend bringing plenty of snacks to hold yourself off until you can get back to Rapid City. In addition, wearing closed-toed shoes is more optimal for the terrain and for the small chance that you encounter a prairie rattler. Finally, bring a rain jacket just in case, as the weather can change quickly out in the Badlands.
For a full packing list, be sure to check out this Day Hiking Gear Checklist that I made. Also, make sure you’re dressed for success by reading my article about Hiking Clothes for Women.
The Hiking Trails
1. Notch Trail
At 1.3 miles roundtrip, Notch Trail is probably the most well-known and the most Instagrammed hiking trail in Badlands National Park. It features a steep rope ladder, making an otherwise easy trail somewhat challenging (moderate). At the top, the trail follows a ledge which leads to a nice view of White River Valley and the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Notch Trail can be accessed at the south end of the Door and Window Trails parking area, which is a 2-mile drive east from the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.
2. Window Trail
Just besides the Notch Trail is the Window Trail. Window Trail is so short at .2 miles round-trip, I wouldn’t even really consider it to be a hike. It is obviously very easy. However, don’t let that deter you from the expansive view of the orange canyon at the end of the boardwalk.
To get to the Window Trail, head to the south end of the Door and Window Trails parking area, which is a 2-mile drive east from the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.
3. Door Trail
The soaring Badlands Wall “breaks” at the section known as “the Door.” The Door Trail goes right through this break to take you deeper into the park where you can experience the rugged, eroded terrain of the Badlands up close. It is an easy .75 mile round-trip hike that starts on a boardwalk leading to an impressive overlook. Then the trail takes you down to explore a bit of the Badlands yourself. However, keep in mind that wandering too far from the trail can easily cause hikers to become disoriented and lost.
Look for the trailhead for the Door Trail at the north end of the Door and Window Trails parking area, which is a 2-mile drive east from the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.
Many photographers have reported the Door Trail as the best spot to capture the sunrise in Badlands National Park.
4. Castle Trail and Medicine Root Trail
Across the street from the Door and Window Trails parking area, you can also access the Castle Trail which features views of the Badlands National Park prairies. As a result, there is the possibility of encountering buffalo, bighorn sheep, deer, and prairie rattlers. The trail is rated as easy. However, at 10.5 miles round-trip (or 5.2 miles point-to-point), it can turn out to be quite a difficult hike with the sun beating down. Some hikers suggest that you will get the same experience with only walking a mile or two, then turning around. Although, the hikers who do follow the trail through also have the option of taking the 4.5-mile long Medicine Root Trail that loops off of the Castle Trail. At the end of the Castle Trail, you will end up at the Fossil Exhibit Trail.
Castle trail can be accessed from either side, across from the Window and Door Trail parking area or at the Fossil Exhibit Trail.
5. Cliff Shelf Nature Trail
The Cliff Shelf Nature Trail is a personal favorite of mine, because it offers a different perspective of hiking in the Badlands National Park. You get to experience both the grand sediment formations along the Badlands Wall and the unique flora of the park. The trail goes up and down a boardwalk path that leads to a lovely overlook of a Badlands horizon mixed with the greenery of White River Valley. It is an easy .6 mile loop trail located a half mile east of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.
6. Saddle Pass Trail
Unlike the other hiking trails in Badlands National Park, Saddle Pass Trail goes straight up with an elevation gain of over 200 ft. On this trail, you will climb to the top of the Badlands Wall to a beautiful 360° view of everything Badlands, including the ravines, pinnacles, and buttes. Even though the trail is only .7 miles round-trip, I highly recommend wearing shoes with good tread, because the terrain is loose, making it a moderately difficult trail to hike.
To get to the Saddle Pass trailhead, look for the parking about 2 miles west of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.
Note: Saddle Pass Trail will not be possible to hike if it rains in the area. The terrain at Badlands National Park absorbs all the water, creating slick, clay-like mud that will densely coat the bottom of your shoes.
7. Fossil Exhibit Trail
This is another trail that I would consider as more of a walk than a hike. The Fossil Exhibit Trail is an easy .4 mile round-trip stroll on a boardwalk. Alongside the boardwalk are informative signs about fossils and layers of rocks that explain exactly what you’re seeing in those unique formations.
You can find the Fossil Exhibit Trail 5 miles west of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, which is also 18 miles in from the Pinnacles Entrance.
Those are all the main hiking trails that visitors of the Badlands National Park enjoy the most.
As always, be respectful and protect our land so that everyone can enjoy its beauty. Follow the “Leave No Trace” guidelines by packing out what you pack in.
If you have any specific questions about hiking in the Badlands, leave them in the comments section below. For more information about traveling to South Dakota, check out my Complete South Dakota Travel Guide.
Until next time, happy hiking and I hope to see you out there on the trails!
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