Hiking trails in the Badlands won’t disappoint—your family will be in awe of the dramatic, end-of-the-world scenery like the Hunger Games. There’s a reason the Lakota people first called the area of land “mako sica,” or “land bad.”
This short trail shows everything you should see of the stratified badlands geology. You’ll see a top-notch perspective of the Badlands, stretching toward the park’s eastern limits.
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The trail ascends a log ladder and traverses a ledge to reach “the Notch,” which offers a striking panorama of the White River Valley and views of the Badlands.
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You’ll see Saddle Pass Trail’s rugged terrain, eroded buttes, and colorful White Valley rock formations, and your jaw will drop.
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The Medicine Root Trail, which runs between the Castle Trail and starts near the Old Northeast Road, allows your family to explore the geology and diverse flora of the Badlands.
If the sun hasn’t evaporated every molecule, you may also see a small pond near the trail, attracting wildlife like deer, rattlesnakes, quail, porcupines, bobcats, and bighorn sheep.
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The popular trail’s mostly level terrain works well for families looking for the length but a relatively small incline. If you’re adventurous, you’ll find the registration kiosks for backcountry camping at the trailhead.