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1. Notch Trail
Lace up your hiking boots and get ready for the ultimate Badlands adventure! Climb a ladder, walk on the cliff’s edge, and soak in the views on the park’s most famous trail.
What You Need to Know
The Notch Trail is 1.5 miles long and is rated as moderately strenuous. It is not for anyone who has a fear of heights or small children who can’t follow directions. You’ll also want to stay away during or after heavy rains because the trail becomes quite slippery when wet.
Your hike begins in a small canyon. After a few minutes of hiking, you’ll reach the log ladder that climbs up to the top of the ledge. It’s easier to go up the ladder than down, so keep that in mind if you decide to continue. Beyond the ladder, you’ll walk along a ledge with a few steep drop-offs on one side.
Things mellow out for a minute before you reach the “Notch,” which is a saddle between two badlands. Be careful when you get here because the trail abruptly ends with a cliff and a significant drop to the valley below. Enjoy the views, and then return the way you came!
Pets are not permitted on this trail.
Getting Here
From the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, drive 1.9 miles northeast on Highway 240. Look for the large parking area on your right that mentions the Door/Window trail. Park here and then walk to the south end of the parking lot to find the beginning of the Notch Trail.
2. Roberts Prairie Dog Town
As you drive through the Badlands landscape, keep your eyes peeled for hundreds of mounds and burrows. These burrows house some of the park’s smallest and cutest mammals — prairie dogs!
What You Need to Know
Have a great time watching these animals pop out of their burrows and interact with the other prairie dogs. Listen carefully to hear them “bark” at you or each other. It’s a lot of fun to sit and watch them for a while!
Please do not feed the prairie dogs! Feeding them teaches them to be dependent on human food and can cause them to die of starvation during the harsh South Dakota winters.
Getting Here
The Roberts Prairie Dog Town isn’t the only place in the park to see prairie dogs, so definitely look out for them anywhere! But to get to the prairie dog town, drive south for 0.5 miles on Highway 240 as you enter the park through the Pinnacles Entrance. Turn right onto the Sage Creek Rim Road. This road is not paved but is typically suitable for passenger cars (check at the entrance station for current conditions). Drive on the Sage Creek Rim Road for 4.5 miles until you see the Roberts Prairie Dog Town on your right.
3. Panorama Point
Bring your camera and get ready for a beautiful badland vista that seems to be never-ending! Rising up and out of the nearby prairie land, this overlook truly provides a stunning panorama of the park.
What You Need to Know
There are a lot of fantastic overlooks along the Badlands Loop Road, so definitely stop your car at any pullout that looks interesting to you. Make sure you hit Panorama Point, though!
The fantastic thing about this overlook is how the badlands emerge from the prairie land. It’s fascinating — you’ve got to see this view to believe it!
Getting Here
From the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, drive west on Highway 240 for 9.4 miles. Look for the pullout on your left.
4. Cliff Shelf Nature Trail
Stroll through a fragrant juniper forest that hugs the side of the badlands! This lovely trail provides beautiful views of the valley and a great introduction to the unique Badlands scenery.
What You Need to Know
Trees are sparse in this national park, so you’ll love the change of scenery! This trail takes you to the base of the badlands that you stood on top of at the end of the Notch Trail.
This hike is only 0.5 miles roundtrip with about 200 feet of elevation gain. The trail surface is a mixture of elevated boardwalks, stairs, and gravel paths. Please stay on the trail and beware of rattlesnakes! Pets are not permitted on this trail.
Getting Here
From the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, drive northeast on Highway 240 for 0.6 miles. The Cliff Shelf Nature Trail parking is on the right-hand side of the road.
Click NEXT to see sights 5-8 (including the craziest colored rocks in the park!)
Hi- I just downloaded the three day itinerary. I want to get an AirBnB for my family- there are six adults– and i am wondering which towns might be best. We want to be near enough to a town to go for dinner, but still have a sense that we are in beautiful south dakota, with a little space and views. What towns do you suggest?
Thank you!
Hey Marge, I would probably start with Keystone or Hill City and see if you can find something that will work for you in that area!
Hi Ash!
My wife and I are considering a drive up from Kansas in the fall for a 10 day trip through SD that will include the Black Hills and the Badlands (and probably Devils Tower).
Some questions:
1. Should Rapid City be our home base or should we stay in each place we visit….like Keystone, Deadwood, Spearfish, Badlands., etc? We do like visiting and exploring small towns.
2. Are the guided ATV tours worth taking in the Badlands or are we better exploring from our car?
3. Have you driven through the Sandhills of Nebraska? We are weighing driving through that scenic byway (2) vs going Sioux Falls to get there. I’m guessing not much to see in the eastern half of SD?
4. Finally, would we be better visiting in late August, early September, or late September? (our options)
Thank you for all your helpful info and your enthusiasm to help people get joy on their journey!
Brent & Cathy
Hey Brent and Cathy! You’ll find almost all of that info in my 5-day South Dakota Parks Itinerary. It includes everything in that area, including Devils Tower. You can find it here: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/south-dakota-itinerary/ If you have additional questions after reading through it and watching the walk-through videos, let me know!
Love all of the dirt in my shoes articles. Thanks for posting them.
You’re welcome!
Hello and thank you for all the detailed information! We are going to be there this June for the first time. Coming from Sioux Falls area and spending a day at the Badlands. How are the drives? Are there a lot of cliffs and drop/offs on the drives through the park? How far is the drive from the badlands to Rapid City? Thank you
You will be following the edge of the plateau for a good portion of the Badlands Loop, but nothing that feels treacherous. You’re about 1 hour from Rapid City. Have fun!
My wife, son, and I are planning to visit Badlands in June and I was wondering how feasible it would be to see Minuteman National Monument and Badlands in one day. my wife is not able to do the hiking and we are planning to do the Overlooks and limit ourselves to the paved hikes. we are also staying in Rapid City. any thoughts you have are appreciated
Yeah, you could make a long day of it and stop at Minuteman for an hour or two!
Anybody going first of May? Our first trip ever to SD
Badlands May 6 – 8 then to Deadwood til the 14th
We are so excited.
Hey Ash! How many days do you suggest for Badlands National Park? We would like to see the sights and do some hiking. Planning is overwhelming!
Thanks!
Hey Becky! You can get to everything on this list in one long day. We usually just day trip from Rapid City, but we have camped in Badlands to dig in deeper on occasion. Unless you’re wanting to hike one of the longer trails in the park, one day should do it :)
Perfect, thanks :)
Hi Ash,
We have 1.5 days to explore Badlands and will be coming from the west. I always like to start at the visitor center to get the lay of the land, watch video, etc before exploring; however the VC in this case is on the opposite side of the park. Do you think we should take I-90 straight to the VC and then work our way back over 240, stopping along the way or take 240 first and gradually make our way over to the visitor center last?
Also any ideas for an off the beaten path trail that won’t be as crowded in the summer? Thanks!
I would start your morning in the Notch/Window/Door trail area of the park and then head to the visitor center after that. There aren’t a whole lot of hiking options, but the Castle Trail or Medicine Root both stay pretty quiet compared to the other trails in the area. Have fun!
Hey Ash! I am visitng Yellowstone the last week of September and thought why not stop at The Badlands since I’ll be going through. Also wanting to hit Mount Rushmore and Wall Drug while im at it. What is the weather like the first week of October? And do you have any recommendations for towns to stay in surrounding the park? Thanks for all your insight! 😃
October can be lovely or a little iffy….last time I was there in October it snowed on us! But it’s a great time to be there and you’ll still have fun! I’m getting ready to release a ton of new articles for Badlands, Wind Cave, and Mount Rushmore here in the next few weeks, so if you can wait until then you’ll have more information than you’ll ever need for planning your trip there haha :)
Thank you for this extremely helpful information! I have been reading different websites trying to figure out the best way to see the Badlands, and this is the first site that is actually useful! I now know how to plan my route! Thank you, thank you!
You’re very welcome Rebecca! Enjoy Badlands!
Looking to go to badlands/Custer/crazy horse deadwood/sturgis for 10 days arriving and departing from Rapid city. Will be staying 1 nite cedar pass lodge, 4 nites hill city, 2 nites in deadwood. Could you please help with itineraries, do you offer any like you did for Yellowstone? Your itinerary was very helpful.
Hey Laurie,
Thank you for thinking of me! Unfortunately, I don’t offer itineraries for this area yet, but it sounds like you’ve planned out a great trip. Enjoy!
We’re going to be getting to the badlands around sunrise and are only staying for a bit before heading to Mt Rushmore. Where do you suggest we try to catch the sunrise?!
I’d take one of the suggestions here: https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/badl-sunrises-sunsets.htm
Very cool. It’s not firm yet but I’m really looking at going to Badlands as a spring break trip. I’m thinking it’s going to be too hot for a summer trip.
It will be less busy too!
Hi! If one is coming from the east should one still start in Wall? Thank you so much.
No, it would make more sense to enter the other entrance, complete the in-park activities, and then head over to Wall at the end of the day. Have a great time!
Hi Ash,
Thanks for your great suggestions! We are heading to SD next Friday, we are taking our 2 kids, a small dog and our camper. We will be in the Custer area for 7 days and planning on stop at Badlands on the last day on our way home. My questions is about our dog, I know he is not allowed on trails, so could we leave him in the RV (with AC on, of course), while we hike the Notch Trail? He is very quite, and used to stay by himself when we go explore places when we camp. We know he will be completely fine, we’re just thinking about the Park rules. Thanks!
It’s discouraged because of the heat in the area during the summer, but ultimately that decision would be up to you. Enjoy Badlands!
Help!
I am lost trying to decide how long to stay and where in the Badlands to Deadwood area! We are trying to go in September for 11 nights. Not sure the path to follow. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Badlands
Wind Cave or
Rushmore
Crazy Horse
Custer State Park
Black Hills
Devils Tower
Deadwood
Hi Wanda! You can stay in the Rapid City area and only be about an hour from many of those places. Otherwise, you could stay a few nights in Keystone/Custer/Hill City for Mt Rushmore, Wind Cave, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, and Deadwood. And then you can find something closer to Badlands or Devils Tower if you want!
Thank you Ash! So excited to finally go to Badlands but also excited to find many other places in the area to visit.
Hi Ash, Thank you for the information on the Badlands. Super helpful!
We will be staying in Rapid City and would like to arrive in the Badlands early in the morning, hoping to see more wildlife. We would like to visit Wall Drug on the way out in the afternoon. Would it be best to take 44 to the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, then the Loop Rd to Wall? Is 44 an interesting drive?
Hey Mary Ann,
Yeah, you could totally do that…44 is more scenic than the freeway, but it’s all pretty flat :) You’ll want to drive a little past the Reifel VC if you’re wanting to hike the Notch, but otherwise you can just take the loop road back over to Wall with no problem.
Hi Ash!
As a South Dakotan, I’m very proud of our state, Mount Rushmore, Badlands, and the Black Hills. You did a great job covering these sites! Thank you for sharing all the information with your followers.
Thanks Paula! South Dakota is one of my very favorite states to visit — you live in an amazing place!
Thank you so much for this wealth of information! My family is traveling through South Dakota from the east as we head towards Yellowstone (your itinerary for Yellowstone has been a huge help in our planning). We’d like to spend a day to a day and a half hitting the top sites in Badlands NP, Wind Cave NP, Custer State Park, and possibly Mount Rushmore. We have a 7 and 9 year old. Any suggestions on the order for us to see things or the absolute best things to take in since we’ll have such limited time and young travelers with us?
You could easily spend a couple of weeks in that area exploring all the fun stuff! I would choose 2 things to do at each place you’re wanting to see — you won’t be able to see it all, but you can definitely do some memorable things. I’d make a list of options and have everyone in your family choose the thing that they don’t want to miss!
Hi Ash, We want to plan a trip to the Badlands Nat. Park and other areas of interest. We’ll be camping in a pop up and would like to know when is the best time to visit (Spring or Fall) and any info on the campgrounds in the area that you are familiar with. We’d also like to purchase an itinerary but will do that later. The ones for Yellowstone and Grand Teton were really helpful.
I like Fall in South Dakota…it’s a little less unpredictable than Spring. I’ve camped in Badlands National Park, and it’s fine. It’s an interesting set up for trailers, but it works and is in a good location. If you’re wanting to base your trip closer to Mount Rushmore, I like Rafter J for an RV park. The campgrounds in Custer State Park are also nice!
Hi Ashly, thank you for your site and the 8 things not to miss. We have wanted to go to the Black Hills and Badlands for a long time, then I lost my leg. Now Im in a wheel chair. This trip is still on my bucket list. Is it wheel chair friendly? Do you have any recommendation for people with disabilities or mobile impairment? Hoping to go next Spring after this Covid stuff. Really love the Native American history. Is there any Pow Wows, museums, or points of interest besides the Crazy Horse monument? Lots of questions sorry. Thank you for your help in making a monumental trip and making my dream come true.
Hey Mary,
Thanks for reaching out! Most sites in the area have wheelchair-friendly trails and viewpoints, so I definitely think you should take your bucket list trip! Each NPS site has a section of their website that outlines the park’s accessibility, like this one for Badlands: https://www.nps.gov/badl/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm In addition to Badlands, Mount Rushmore, and Crazy Horse, I also recommend looking into Devils Tower (lots of Native American history) and Custer State Park. The Rapid City area has several museums as well. I hope you’re able to take your trip in 2021!
Thank you for your great information!
‘We are planning a three-day trip to South Dakota in Sept. and would like to visit Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park and the Badlands. Since we will be coming from the east on I-90 and want to make the best use of our time what would you recommend as to our order of visiting these sights and what town might be most centrally located for us to stay?
I’d stop at Badlands first, then Mount Rushmore and Custer. Anywhere in that area is pretty central…Rapid City, Keystone, Hill City, etc. Have fun!
Hi Ash, great recommendations thanks so much! We are visiting in late Sept and have 1 day dedicated to the Badlands. We are staying in Lead.
Can you recommend:
-The best driving route to take with Lead as the start/stop point,
-Your favorite 2 trails (each with only a 1-2 mile loop back to the car) to explore and
-Any ATV guided tours in the area?!
MUCH appreciated!
It doesn’t really matter because you can drive the whole loop no matter which way you come into the park :) But, I would probably drive from Lead to the Northeast Entrance and hit the Notch Trail and the Door Trail first thing in the morning. Then you can drive the loop and stop at all the viewpoints. As you leave the park after driving the loop, you’ll be right by Wall Drug in the afternoon or early evening so that you can stop in for some food and explore that crazy place!
I’m not sure about any ATVing in the area. Have a great trip!
Hi Ash. Thank you for this helpful information. Will be visiting the park early part of Sept 2020. Do you also have info for Grand Teton NP and Yellowstone NP?
I do! You can find it all here: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-parks/
Great info! We are driving from Kansas City to the Badlands, staying overnight in the Frontier Cabins and then touring the badlands the following day and driving to Rapid City afterwards. Does that sound like that plan should work? Would we be better off stopping at Wall Drug and the cabin first or will we hit the badlands before we get to Wall?
You’ll hit an entrance to the Badlands before you get to Wall, so I’d tour the Badlands first and then hit Wall Drug on our way out. That will set you up perfectly for getting to Rapid City at the end of the day. Have fun!
Hi, Ash! Thank you so much for your extremely informative page! We had a fantastic time following your tips and guidelines!
Love South Dakota ❤️
Glad you enjoyed it! South Dakota is one of my favorite states!
If you could pick a single point for observation within BLNP that would provide a most spectacular and beautiful view, where would that be?
I really like Panorama Point for beautiful Badlands views. Have fun!
Hi!!
Are the top 8 things you mentioned all open now even with Covid?
Thanks!
Michelle
Most things are, but the status can change at any time. Be sure to check the current conditions at nps.gov/badl for the most up-to-date info. Have fun!
Hello, minimum how many hours you will need to drive/explore through badlands? (staying in Rapid city for a day and half)… Thanks
At least a half-day if you want to drive through the park, complete a shorter trail, and stop in at Wall Drug :)
Thank you! Good information on difficulty of trails.
Thanks Mel. Enjoy your trip!
Ash, I just sent a message but forgot to ask, are you available to be a step on guide for our tour group in 2021?
I’m honored! But I don’t currently offer any in-person guiding services. Thanks for thinking of me though :)
Hello Ash,
Is there a suggested route through the badlands with a tour bus, where we’d do lunch stop at Wall Drug and then head to the Missile Site?
Most people drive the whole Badlands Loop Road from Wall to the Visitor Center. You can easily get to the missile site from there. Have fun!
Thank you for this list! Such a gift while planning my trip. Best to you.
My pleasure! Have a great trip!
My family and I have always wanted to go to the Badlands, and it looks like we might be going in 2020 in our converted sprinter van! Thank you so much for providing this awesome information! – Annette
It’s beautiful! Enjoy!