Badlands National Park is an incredible park with so many surprises. Hiking is my favorite way to experience this breathtaking place, and I can’t wait to tell you all about my favorite easy hikes in Badlands National Park!
No matter your age, ability, or skill level, there is a fabulous hike in the Badlands for you. The best easy hikes in Badlands are the Door Trail, the Window Trail, the Cliff Shelf Trail, the Fossil Exhibit Trail, and the Notch Trail.
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. You will love hiking through the Badlands, so let’s talk about your options!
What are the Best Easy Hikes in Badlands?
Most trails in Badlands National Park are short and flat. Each trail listed below provides an amazing way to dig deeper into this park and see the best scenery!
Door Trail
The Door Trail leads to a gorgeous overlook of the craggy Badlands and then leads you off the beaten path for an even more adventurous experience!
Door Trail Information
Distance: 0.9 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 22 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No
The Door Trail starts as a boardwalk that runs for 0.1 miles to the first viewpoint. This portion is very easy and fairly flat, making for a relaxing walk. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you walk — you might see Bighorn Sheep, snakes, goats, and deer near this trail!
When you get to the end of the boardwalk, you’ll find the popular overlook that showcases a beautiful group of rock formations. You can enjoy the view and then turn around here if you want to keep to the boardwalk area.
If you want an extra dose of adventure, look for the yellow ground markers beyond the overlook area. You can follow these markers through the rocks to reach a second overlook. This portion of the hike is a bit harder than the boardwalk, but it’s still considered an easy hike.
Location
The Door Trail begins on the east side of the park. You’ll find it about 2 miles north of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center along Highway 240.
The parking lot for the Door Trail is also used for the Window Trail and the Notch Trail, so you can park once and hike all three trails!
Window Trail
Some of the best views you can get in the Badlands are from the trail, and the Window Trail is no exception! Hike this easy, beautiful, short trail to see some spectacular rock formations up close.
Window Trail Information
Distance: 0.3 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 13 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No
You’ll start this hike on a boardwalk that leads all the way to the end of the trail. The whole trail is under half a mile and almost completely flat, so expect a nice and easy walk.
This hike is called “the window” because of the gap in rocks at the viewpoint that gives you an inside look into the beautiful geological features of the Badlands. It really is a one-of-a-kind experience—you can walk up to the rail and get a close-up look at some of these towering rock towers that were formed by oceans, rivers, and wind for tens of millions of years!
The boardwalk is ADA accessible, too, so it’s a great place to go to enjoy the park with your entire group.
Location
The Window Trail begins on the east side of the park. You’ll find it about 2 miles north of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center along Highway 240.
The parking lot for the Window Trail is also used for the Door Trail and the Notch Trail, so you can park once and hike all three trails!
Cliff Shelf Trail
If you want to add a little greenery into your Badlands experience, the Cliff Shelf Trail is the perfect place to go. You’ll love walking through this unique landscape that clings to the dramatic rock cliffs.
Cliff Shelf Trail Information
Distance: 0.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 64 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Restrooms: No
Pets Allowed: No
The Cliff Shelf Trail has it all—amazing rock formations, beautiful views, wildlife sightings, and some benches for you to rest along the way if you get tired. This trail does have more elevation gain than some of the other easy trails due to its route along the cliffs.
One unique thing about the Cliff Shelf Trail is that it takes you by a couple of ponds and forests, which is a nice change of scenery and a perfect complement to the other gorgeous hikes nearby!
Keep in mind that there are also some stairs and boardwalks on this trail, so plan for a bit of a climb as you hike along the trail.
{ALTERNATIVE} The Saddle Pass Trail is nearby. This trail is short, but it is super steep and hard to get your footing. If you are considering hiking this trail while in the area, don’t expect an easy trail!
Location
The Cliff Shelf Trail begins on the east side of the park. You’ll find it about 0.5 miles north of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center along Highway 240.
Fossil Exhibit Trail
The Fossil Exhibit Trail provides a cool way to learn more about the scientific discoveries that have occurred in Badlands National Park!
Fossil Exhibit Trail Information
Distance: 0.7 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 0 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No
The Fossil Exhibit Trail is a completely flat boardwalk trail that travels among some dramatic badland formations!
Along the trail you’ll find many informational signs that share more about the fossils that have been discovered in Badlands National Park. These interactive exhibits are complete with tactile recreations of the fossils, so feel free to touch the panels and read about how this fascinating landscape has changed over millions of years!
Make sure to keep an eye out for rattlesnakes and other wildlife in this area, as sightings are common.
Location
The Fossil Exhibit Trail is found along Highway 240 (the Badlands Loop Road), about 5 miles west of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.
The Notch Trail
If you only have time to complete one epic hike in Badlands National Park, make it the Notch Trail! You’ll have an awesome adventure as you explore the beautiful rock formations in this park.
Notch Trail Information
Distance: 1.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 127 feet
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Kid-Friendly: Yes, with assistance
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No
One of the reasons why this hike is so great is the epic ladder that you’ll encounter halfway through the hike! You’ll have to climb up to keep going on the hike, and sometimes the bars can be difficult to climb. Be sure to wear hiking shoes with good traction.
In addition to the ladder, you’ll also travel along the cliff edges in some areas. I hike this trail with my young kids all the time, but they stay close, follow instructions, and need assistance to get through the fun obstacles as we hike.
Like all the other trails at the Badlands, the Notch Trail has a unique, ruggedly-beautiful viewpoint at the end of the trail. You’ll walk past some steep cliffs and around tall rock formations, making this hike feel majestic and magical.
Be sure to plan for the weather, as the summers are hot, and the trail gets slippery after rain or snow storms.
{ALTERNATIVE} Hike the Window or the Door Trails if you are looking for something easier in the area.
Location
The Notch Trail begins on the east side of the park. You’ll find it about 2 miles north of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center along Highway 240.
Traffic and crowding in the South Dakota Parks can be terrible.
Did you know that it’s common for parking lots to be full and sights to be packed with people, especially during the busy summer season?
Are you hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people?
Stay ahead of the crowds with this South Dakota National Parks Itinerary. You will see all the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
What are the Best Wheelchair-Friendly Trails in Badlands?
Hiking in the Badlands is an amazing experience, and there are lots of great trails that are easily accessible in addition to being beautiful! Check out the official Badlands website for more information about accessibility at the park.
My favorite wheelchair-friendly trails in Badlands National Park are:
- The Window Trail
- The Door Trail
- The Fossil Exhibit Trail
You’ll find information about all three of those trails in great detail at the beginning of this article.
Badlands Hiking Regulations
To protect Badlands and leave it better than you found it, please follow these regulations:
- Don’t take anything. Rocks, fossils, flowers, sticks, etc., must stay in the national park. If you find something cool, take a picture of it, but please don’t remove it.
- You can hike off-trail in Badlands National Park! Sticking to the maintained trails is not required in this park, but please take care and leave no trace as you explore the badlands.
- Don’t feed or approach the wildlife. These animals need to be able to find food on their own in order to survive, and they often become aggressive and transmit diseases to humans if fed. Maintain a safe distance from the park’s wildlife to avoid injury or death.
- Rainstorms can create unsafe hiking conditions. The badland formations in this park get extremely slippery when wet, so use extreme caution hiking
- Pets are not allowed on most park trails. If you bring your pets to the park, they must be leashed and picked up after at all times.
What are the Best Longer Day Hikes in Badlands?
If you’re an avid hiker and you’re hoping to venture deep into Badlands National Park, check out these longer trails!
You can do either of these hikes separately, but I recommend combining the Medicine Root and Castle Trail into a loop. This hike is spectacular as it takes you through several rock formations and meadows of prairie grass, where you’re likely to spot some local wildlife!
The Sheep Mountain Table Road is an off-the-beaten-path option that is perfect for off-roading! This road is located 4.5 miles south of Scenic on SD Highway 44, where you’ll have a scenic drive to the top of the table with an amazing view! From that point, you can either continue driving in a high-clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicle to the end of the road or get out and hike the rest of the way.
I hope you enjoy these easy trails in Badlands National Park — happy hiking!
More Badlands Trip Planning Information
South Dakota Parks Itinerary — a detailed hour-by-hour sightseeing schedule.
How to Get to Badlands — the best airports and roads in the area.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Badlands? — itinerary ideas.
The Best Time to Visit — what to expect during each month of the year.
Weather, Hours, and Closures — important weather info and common closures.
Where Should I Stay? — the best options in and around the park.
All About Camping — learn about the park’s campgrounds and how to get a site.
8 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit — the top 8 spots.
The Best Things to Do — activities for every adventurer.
The Ultimate Badlands Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
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