According to my kids, hikes in Badlands National Park are among their favorite in ANY US national park (and they’ve been to a lot of them)! Let me help your family plan for some great hiking in this incredible South Dakota park!
What do you expect to see and feel when you visit the Badlands? Prairie dogs? Badlands formations? Extreme heat in the summer?
Check, check and check.
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.”
I’ve been to the Badlands multiple times, and each time, I find something new to love about this park. And so will your family!
Table of Contents
Best Hikes Badlands National Park: Interactive Map
Below you’ll find an interactive map that highlights each of the trail recommendations made in this article. You’ll be able to see the relative distance to hikes, as well as other park highlights like visitor centers, etc.
How to Use This Map:
Click on any of the trail recommendations marked with the bed icon in this color. A popup will open discussing the hike in greater detail.
Clicking the star next to the name of the map will save the map to your google account. To access it later on a computer or your smartphone, open google maps and select “Your Places”.
Best Hikes in Badlands National Park (for Families)
Without further ado, let’s dive into the best hikes in the Badlands for the most intrepid, daring hikers — Badlands hikers. Buttes, pinnacles, spires: You’ll get your fill of them, and it’s hiking you won’t see anywhere else.
Most Badlands popular trails are short and don’t take much time to hike, so you may be able to hit all the scenic paths in a day (but I wouldn’t recommend that, especially in the heat of summer).
The national park has only eight official trails, so we’ve listed just eight instead of the umpteen million you might find in another national park.
If you’re looking for a more comprehensive list of the best family-friendly things to do in Badlands National Park, check out this article, too!
1. Door Trail
Length: 0.25 miles
Difficulty: Easy
How to Get There: Drive on the Badlands Loop Road (Route 240) two miles east of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center to a large turnout on the east side of the road. Door Trail begins from the north end of the lot.
The stone in the Badlands dates roughly 75 million years ago to when a shallow, inland sea covered the Great Plains. Door Trail, a short, wheelchair-accessible boardwalk trail, leads you directly to the doorstep of that broken landscape, and these layers continue to dramatic canyons and spires.
You and your family can explore these features right before you by passing through a natural door at the end of the boardwalk — it’s how the trail got its name.
2. Window Trail
Length: 0.25 miles
Difficulty: Easy
How to Get There: Drive on Badlands Loop Road (Route 240) two miles east of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center to a large turnout on the east side of the road. Window Trail begins from the south end of the lot above Notch Trail and heads east.
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.
The path is an easy quarter-mile round trip on a well-constructed wooden boardwalk. You’ll end at a picturesque overlook, a “window” to the captivating Badlands scenery.
A great hike with a natural window offers a great option to see this unique part of the park.
3. Notch Trail
Length: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
How to Get There: The easily accessible Notch Trailhead is 2.5 miles from the northeast entrance of Badlands National Park along Highway 240. Once inside the park, follow the signs leading to the spacious parking lot designated for the Notch Trail.
One of the Badlands’ favorite hiking routes (and soon to be your kids’ fave, too!), Notch Trail stands out for its iconic log ladder and beautiful views. 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.
Your kids will get a huge kick out of the log ladder, which (don’t worry) isn’t a ladder climb at all — it’s a way to get your footing as you walk gently upward on the trail. (No young kids dangling off hundred-foot cliffs, moms.)
4. Saddle Pass Trail
Length: 0.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
How to Get There: The Saddle Pass trailhead is about two miles west of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, accessible via Highway 240, also known as the Badlands Loop Road.
A short, steep trail, you’ll find stunning panoramic views of the geological surprises of the Badlands landscape. You’ll see Saddle Pass Trail’s rugged terrain, eroded buttes and colorful White Valley rock formations, and your jaw will drop. You’ll experience 300 feet of elevation change on the Saddle Pass Trail.
5. Fossil Exhibit Trail
Length: 0.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
How to Get There: You can find the Fossil Exhibit Trail in Badlands National Park along Highway 240, five miles west of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.
What’s cooler than seeing fossils of sea creatures from millions of years ago?
The Fossil Exhibit Trail is a self-guided boardwalk that is entirely accessible, featuring fossil replicas and exhibits showcasing extinct creatures that once inhabited the region. The exhibits are designed to be tactile, allowing visitors to touch them, and Braille is integrated into the displays.
This brief boardwalk loop includes interpretive signs for an informative experience. For those seeking additional adventure, there’s the option to climb the captivating rock formations off the designated trail.
6. Medicine Root Trail
Length: 4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
How to Get There: From the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, turn Right onto Route 240 E. The trailhead will be 1.9 miles away on the left.
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. What can you tell your kids you’ll see on this trail?
Easy: rugged landscape, colorful rock formations and wildlife — butterflies, snakes, rodents and birds. Keep a wary eye out — you might see rattlesnakes, and watch out for cacti!
7. Cliff Shelf Nature Trail
Length: 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
How to Get There: You can access the Cliff Shelf Nature trailhead just past the Castle trailhead, about four miles south of the Northeast Park Entrance. It sits outside the cliff formation facing open space just through Cedar Pass.
Winding through boardwalks and ascending stairs, this loop trail traverses a juniper forest along the Badlands Wall.
If the sun hasn’t evaporated every molecule, you may also see a small pond near the trail, attracting wildlife like deer, rattlesnakes, quail, porcupine, bobcats and bighorn sheep. The short hike’s trail ascends about 200 feet in elevation, so it’s not tough to traverse.
8. Castle Trail
Length: 10 miles round trip (but you don’t have to do the full trail)
Difficulty: Moderate
How to Get There: You can access this hike in two directions: You can either access the trailhead at the Fossil Exhibit Area or through the parking lot for the Door, Window, and Notch Trails.
The park’s lengthiest trail spans five miles (a 10-mile round-trip, about three hours long) between the Door and Window parking area and the Fossil Exhibit Trail.
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.
Truthfully, based on my own family experience here, I wouldn’t recommend trying to do this whole trail. There just isn’t a need, and there’s no great “prize” at the end of that 10-mile trek. It’s a fun trail to do in bits and pieces. Just do as much as you’d like, then double-back.
The scenery is very similar throughout the trail, and it can be scorching trying to do ten miles in direct sun, even without kiddos in tow.
Best Time of the Year to Hike the Badlands
During the winter, in-park accommodations and dining facilities are closed, and visitor centers shut down or operate with reduced hours. For optimal visits, consider the shoulder seasons, from mid-April through May and from September to early October.
If, like many families, you find yourself in the Badlands during summer break, the intense heat may drive you toward the shorter hikes. Consider planning your hikes during the cooler parts of the day — early morning or late afternoon.
If you decide it’s a good idea to visit during winter, you may find some trails less accessible due to snow and ice. However, you may be amazed at what you see in this national park during the winter — its mixed-grass prairie can be beautiful!
Ultimately, the ideal time for hiking the Badlands depends on your family’s preferences regarding weather and the scenery you want to experience.
How to Prepare for Hikes in the Badlands
Passing through the Badlands isn’t like visiting any other national park, unless you’re talking about Death Valley. It’s like descending on a desert, with temperature extremes ranging from 116 degrees to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. It pays to prepare yourself and your family members.
Familiarize yourself with the trails we’ve listed above and choose the right one for your family’s age, fitness level and hiking experience. If you’re unsure which will work best for your family, stop at a visitor center to talk with a park ranger.
- Check weather conditions: Always check current weather conditions and trail statuses before planning your hike. Check the forecast before you head off for your hike. If you start in the early morning, you could find that conditions change quickly, so consider dressing in lightweight clothing with moisture-wicking properties.
- Bring water: Carry a ton of water with you — more than you think you’ll need! It’s easy to dehydrate, so fill that Camelback or water bottle! Don’t forget the snacks, too.
- Wear the right shoes: Wear hiking boots/shoes with good traction. Despite its great views, the terrain is highly unlevel and rocky.
- Add sun protection: Apply a liberal amount of a high-SPF sunscreen to every family member, and consider adding a hat and sunglasses for more protection.
- Avoid trails during/after heavy rains: because of the terrain, trails in this park can get extremely muddy, so avoid trails on very wet days.
- Wildlife awareness: Watch for dangerous wildlife, such as rattlesnakes and bison. Keep a safe distance and avoid disturbing them. Know what to do if an animal crosses your path.
- Wheelchair accessibility: Check to see which trails are wheelchair accessible before you choose the right hike for you. If you have a family member who uses a wheelchair, you’ll be happily surprised by the number of wheelchair-accessible trails because of the boardwalks available.
- Check for trail changes: Check with the park’s visitor center or website for more information about trails, picnic areas, including those that can affect trail accessibility. The park staff can offer great details about the number of trails, conditions and hiking guidelines.
Hike Safely in the Badlands — and Have Fun, Too!
Your family may never see another landscape quite like this one. The Badlands has one of the most unique scenic landscapes in the country. You’ll never forget the spires and desolate landscape the Badlands showcases.
Fortunately, you can see it all with a front-seat view, and it doesn’t have to be through your car windows. Getting out on the trail allows you a different perspective, and you can see it all through South Dakota’s most popular trails, including Door, Notch and Castle Trail.
The best things in life are free, and while you’ll still have to pay the National Park Service to enter the park (with a standard entrance fee of $15 to $30 unless you have an annual or senior pass), hiking is free. If you’re looking for a short walk (aka an easy hike with low elevation gain), the Badlands hikes are a great place for adventure.
More Badlands National Park (& Other Amazing US National Parks) Tips
Looking for more information about Badlands NP, or family hiking recommendations in more amazing US national parks? Be sure to check out these articles, too:
- BEST 19 Family Things To Do: Badlands NP South Dakota (+ Interactive Map)
- 15 Amazing Family Things To Do in South Dakota (+ Interactive Map)
- Wildlife in Badlands National Park: 8 Animals To Spot
- Badlands National Park Cabins: Cedar Pass Lodge Guide
- 11 Best Hikes Shenandoah National Park (For Families)
- 17 BEST Yellowstone National Park Hikes for Families
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park: 8 TOP Easy Hikes
- Everglades National Park Hiking: 11 Best Family Treks
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This looks so fun. I’ve only been there once, and we were just passing through so we stopped to play but didn’t really do a lot of hikes. Great photos! Visiting from the Love Your Creativity linkup. Pinning to save and share.
I love this! The Badlands was my favorite of the National Parks we visited a few years ago. And I am so glad to have found your website because I am wanting to visit a couple of national parks in early fall, and you have plenty to choose from here! Have a great day!
Aren’t the Badlands great?! I loved that park as a child, and got a new appreciation for the park as a parent. And I’m so glad you found us, too! I hope we can be helpful in your future park plans!!