Best trails in Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park in South Dakota is a visually fascinating and unique series of buttes and spires scattered throughout a sparse prairie. It has the world's richest fossil beds from the Oligocene epoch.
Top trails
- (8624)·Moderate·1.2 miAfter meandering through a canyon, this fantastic trail climbs a log ladder and follows a ledge to “the Notch” for a dramatic view of the White River Valley. The trail begins at the south end of the Door and Window parking area. Watch for drop-offs. Not recommended for anyone with a fear of heights.
- (3910)·Easy·0.8 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrThis popular trail takes you to an observation area known as "The Door," which offers visitors a stunning view of the Badlands' landscape. After the boardwalk, some stairs descend to a primitive trail marked with yellow posts that meanders through Badlands' bedrock. This portion of the trail is uneven and more challenging. The National Park Service maintains this trail. Accessibility: Equipment Visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers may need all-terrain tires or...
- (2335)·Easy·4.0 mi·Est. 1–1.5 hrThe Medicine Root and Castle Trail Loop offers a variety of terrain, including rock scrambling. As you hike, you'll be treated to stunning views of badland prairies and rock formations. Further along, you'll be able to see the south face of the Badlands Wall. From here, you'll also get expansive vistas of the White River Valley and the town of Interior, South Dakota in the distance. The trail features mud hills, open areas, washes, gullies, and mineral beds. Keep an eye out for bison, cacti,...
- (2266)·Easy·0.3 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrThis short, family-friendly stroll ends in a beautiful viewpoint of the rugged, rocky canyon below. Accessibility: This trail is likely accessible for visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers. According to the park website, this trail is wheelchair-accessible. Accessible Parking: Number of designated accessible spaces: 3 at the trailhead; Number of van-accessible spaces with access aisles: 3; Parking lot surface: paved. Trail Details: Trail surface: wooden boardwalk...
- (1652)·Hard·0.6 miWhen hiking the Saddle Pass Trail, you'll be greeted with a beautiful 360-degree view from the top. The trail can be challenging, with steep, rocky, and slippery parts. It's advisable to wear hiking boots with good traction to tackle the loose gravel and climbing-like sections. Due to loose soil, be particularly cautious on the descent.
- (1751)·Easy·0.5 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrThis nature trail climbs over staircases and boardwalks, showcasing beautiful views of the valley and beyond. Interpretive panels along the route display information about the natural history of the area. The trail also passes by a few small ponds. This trail is not maintained during the winter months. There is a large parking lot with parking for cars, busses, and RVs at the trailhead.
- (1461)·Moderate·10.3 mi·Est. 3.5–4 hrThis is the longest route in Badlands National Park. While it is relatively flat the entire way, the trail offers no shade throughout, so bring water and appropriate clothing. This trail features many iconic Badlands formations. The trailhead is equipped with backcountry camping registration kiosks. This trail can be made one way if you can shuttle or be picked up on the far side.
- (828)·Moderate·7.8 mi·Est. 2.5–3 hrThis peaceful trail explores a more secluded and quiet area of Badlands National Park. The terrain is relatively flat, and it traverses through grassy meadows, grassland, and interesting rock formations. Parts of the trail can be overgrown with prairie grass, so long pants are recommended. There is no shade on this route, so bring plenty of water and sun protection.
- (1077)·Easy·0.2 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrThe Fossil Exhibit Trail is a self-guided, fully accessible boardwalk featuring fossil replicas and exhibits of extinct creatures that once lived in the area. The exhibits are tactile, so please feel free to touch. Braille is incorporated into the exhibits. Accessibility: There are 2 designated accessible spaces in the paved parking lot off of SD-240 at the east end of the trail. Both of them are van-accessible with striped access aisles. The trail surface is a wooden boardwalk with edge...
- (495)·Easy·0.4 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrThis popular stop on the Badlands National Park loop road is one of the highest elevation spots in this part of the park. At the overlook, you'll see great views of the Sage Creek Wilderness area. You can even see the Black Hills in the distance on a clear day. Keep your eye out for Bighorn Sheep (and their lambs in the spring). The sheep are known to gather near the overlook.
Visitor info
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Fee covers the entry of an individual that is hiking, bicycling, etc... for 7 days
Fee covers the entry of a private vehicle and its occupants for 7 days
This pass admits a single, private, non commercial vehicle and its occupants into the park. This pass does not include camping or give any type of discount at stores inside the park. Valid for one year from month of purchase.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
No entrance pass required for US citizens and residents on these days:
February 16 — Presidents' Day
May 25 — Memorial Day
June 14 — Flag Day
July 3 — Independence Day weekend
July 4 — Independence Day weekend
July 5 — Independence Day weekend
August 25 — National Park Service's birthday
September 17 — Constitution Day
October 27 — Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
November 11 — Veterans Day
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The Ben Reifel and White River Visitor Centers are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have accessible parking and restrooms. The park's introduction film includes closed captioning, and assisted listening devices are available for loan.
National park brochures are available in text-only, audio-described, and foreign-language formats online or by mail.
Evening ranger-led programs at the Cedar Pass Campground amphitheater are wheelchair accessible via a paved and lit path from the reserved spaces in the parking lot. Programs at the Fossil Exhibit Trail and the Ben Reifel Visitor Center are also wheelchair accessible.
Additional information about accessibility at Badlands National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/badl/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
The Ben Reifel and White River Visitor Centers are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have accessible parking and restrooms. The park's introduction film includes closed captioning, and assisted listening devices are available for loan.
The Cedar Pass Lodge gift shop and dining room are wheelchair accessible and have accessible parking and restrooms.
The Bigfoot Pass Picnic Area has wheelchair accessible parking, ramps, and an accessible vault toilet.
The Cedar Pass Campground has two individual wheelchair accessible camping sites, one accessible group site, and many other level campsites. The restrooms there are wheelchair accessible.
The Sage Creek Campground has wheelchair accessible vault toilets but is rustic and has uneven terrain.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
