Explore South Dakota - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
Fun, easy trail. My 5yo made it all the way to the end!
reviewed Short, easy trail! Great views and taste of the Badlands. Good for all skill levels. Restrooms are available at the beginning of the trail (bonus!).
Nice trail!
Beautiful trail! Slippery ice in places, but doable!
partially closed for construction. the visitors center and shops are also pretty torn up with construction works.
Nice easy trail. The ladder is a fun element to go up and down. No waterfall as of 3/27. Beautiful views with an overlook at the end of the hike
It has become one of our favorite winter hikes. Start at Sylvan Lake on trail 4. When you get to Little Devil's Tower trailhead get on the highway to Cathedral Spires trailhead. When you leave the Spires, go up to trail 4 to return to Sylvan Lake. That makes a nice 5.5 mile loop!
Boardwalk is very nice, super windy but beautiful!
Nice and short out and back. Good quick way to get into the badlands and feel the size of the rock (dirt?) towers. Leads to a cool overlook with a couple other off trail places to explore. Ladder is fun, a bit shakey but nothing too bad. The lady in front of us did it with no hands.
Great scenic trail even with the snow. Very easy for all.
I wasn’t sure about this when I saw the ladder, but there are great views at the top and well worth the climb.
Strenuous at time but worth it. Might make a good quick ovetnighter.
Totally worth trudging through some snow but didn’t do the whole thing be cause of snow and ice.
The loop as of now is completely closed for maintenance. But on the bright side there was literally no one there and the parking fees were waived! Cool to see these guys chillin in the rocks.
Starts as a easy board walk and leads into the buttes. You follow little trail markers until the “end of trail sign” gorgeous 360 views of the buttes that surround you. Loved this hike. Would recommend doing this if you see badlands!
Went early in the morning around sunrise. There was not a soul on the trail the entire time we were there. Gorgeous views of the buttes, and an overlook at the end. Really loved this trail the most of all the Badlands hikes I did.
Made me feel like Val Kilmer.
Trail is only marked by the occasional pole as you scramble through rocks. Pretty views but no shade so probably quite toasty in the summer. Easy addon to the Window and Notch trails since they share the same parking.
Great hike at sunrise with no one else around through a mini canyon to The Notch at the end. There's a wobbly wooden ladder that likely gets backed up when it's crowded. The trail was also washed out in a few spots along the ridge. so had to be careful at times.
