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Best trails in Badlands National Park

Best trails in Badlands National Park

4.5(24,632 reviews)

·

United States
#22 of 60 national parks

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

Showing results 1–10 of 25
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Visitor info

Hours & contact
Open 24 hours
Passes & fees
Starting at $15
Accessibility
General park hours
Every day • Open 24 hours
Phone
(605) 433-5361
Entrance pass
Motorcycle

Fee covers the entry of a motorcycle and its occupants for 7 days

$25
Purchase pass
Per Person

Fee covers the entry of an individual that is hiking, bicycling, etc... for 7 days

$15
Purchase pass
Private Vehicle

Fee covers the entry of a private vehicle and its occupants for 7 days

$30
Purchase pass
Annual pass
Park

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.

$55
Get details from the park
All U.S. national parks

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.

$80
Purchase pass
2025 Fee-free days

No entrance pass required on these days:

Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day

Overview

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.

Facilities

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.

Camping

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

Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.

Trail reviews for Badlands National Park

26,102 trailgoers Busiest in July
Jun 24, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

I had dismissed this trail as too long until a park ranger at the visitor center said to just hike out as far as I wanted and then turn back. I'm so glad she gave me that suggestion, as this was my favorite part of Badlands National Park. I parked at the Fossil Exhibit Trail parking lot, crossed the road, hiked out for 15 minutes, and then hiked back 15 minutes. It was hot, sunny, and windy. While most of the other trails were crowded, I had this trail to myself, only passing 5 people in 30 minutes. The views were spectacular. The trail is just marked with red poles. So glad I hiked part of this trail!

Parking: Entry fee, Free, Large lot
Castle Trail
May 22, 2025Road biking
Easy to parkNot crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Beautiful trail through the badlands national park. Medicine loop trail to the castle rock trail. About 4.5 miles. Very nice!!

Medicine Root and Castle Trail Loop
Sep 2, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

a large parking lot leads to one of the better short hikes in the park. Enjoy crawling through canyons and narrow notches as you soak up the beauty of the badlands. Scramble up a ladder and walk along ledges to an upper canyon with fascinating views of the valley and campgrounds below. I was enthralled with this hike. Long enough to make it feel like you were doing something, but very mellow and well marked. Don't miss it !

Notch Trail
Aug 31, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableDog-friendlyGreat conditionsGreat views

See all the clay features of Badlands NP

Difficulty: Easy
Castle Trail
Aug 30, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkBathrooms available

Cute, unique trail! It’s a short boardwalk with several fossil exhibits displaying various animals that used to live in the Badlands and had either adapted, moved, or died. Very interesting!

Difficulty: Easy
Fossil Exhibit Trail
Aug 29, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Preferred this one to the window trail due to the ability to explore a bit more but both great views of the Badlands if you want something quick and easy.

The Door Trail
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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Badlands National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Badlands National Park is Notch Trail, which has a 4.8 star rating from 8,128 reviews. This trail is 1.2 mi long with an elevation gain of 118 ft.

What is the longest trail in Badlands National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Badlands National Park is Sage Creek Loop. This trail is estimated to be 20.1 mi long.

How many trails are in Badlands National Park?

There are 25 trails in Badlands National Park. These trails have an average 4.5-star rating from 24,632 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Badlands National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Badlands National Park has you covered. Sage Creek Loop boasts the most elevation gain with 856 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Sheep Mountain Table Road, which will get you 623 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Badlands National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 3 camping trails in Badlands National Park and the most popular is Castle Trail with an average 4.6 star rating from 1,399 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Badlands National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there is 1 running trail in Badlands National Park which is Castle Trail with an average 4.6 star rating from 1,399 community reviews.

What are the best summer hikes in Badlands National Park?

Some popular summer hiking trails in Badlands National Park are Notch Trail, The Door Trail, Medicine Root and Castle Trail Loop, The Window Trail, and Cliff Shelf Nature Trail.

What are the best fall hikes in Badlands National Park?

Some popular fall hiking trails in Badlands National Park are Notch Trail, The Door Trail, Medicine Root and Castle Trail Loop, The Window Trail, and Saddle Pass Trail.

What are the best winter hikes in Badlands National Park?

Some popular winter hiking trails in Badlands National Park are Notch Trail, The Door Trail, The Window Trail, Saddle Pass Trail, and Medicine Root and Castle Trail Loop.

What are the best spring hikes in Badlands National Park?

Some popular spring hiking trails in Badlands National Park are Notch Trail, The Door Trail, The Window Trail, Medicine Root and Castle Trail Loop, and Saddle Pass Trail.

Are there any trails with scenic mountain peak views in Badlands National Park?

Yes, there is one trail with a scenic mountain peak view in Badlands National Park: Cedar Butte Trail.

Are there any trails with scenic viewpoints in Badlands National Park?

Yes, there are 13 trails with scenic viewpoints in Badlands National Park, including The Door Trail, The Window Trail, Pinnacles Overlook, Big Badlands Overlook, and Sage Creek Wilderness Loop.

Are there any trails with rivers in Badlands National Park?

Yes, there are 2 trails with rivers in Badlands National Park, including Sage Creek Wilderness Loop and Sage Creek Trail.