🥾 Top Hikes in Badlands National Park – Walk Among the Wild Formations 🌄

#hikingtrails

Explore South Dakota’s otherworldly landscapes on foot! The Badlands offer short but unforgettable hikes through towering spires, layered canyons, and fossil-rich terrain. Here are the top trails you can’t miss:

1. Notch Trail ⛰️
Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
Why Go: Adventure awaits! Climb a wooden ladder, walk along a dramatic cliff edge, and reach a stunning canyon view. Short but thrilling.

2. Door Trail 🚪
Distance: 0.75 miles round trip
Why Go: Easy and accessible with boardwalk sections. Great for families and offers a walk-through-the-badlands feel with open terrain to explore beyond the trail.

3. Window Trail 🪟
Distance: 0.25 miles round trip
Why Go: A quick stop with a big payoff—views through a natural “window” in the rock to the rugged terrain below. Great at sunset!

4. Castle Trail 🏰
Distance: 10 miles round trip (or shorter out-and-back)
Why Go: The longest trail in the park. Wander through prairies, pinnacles, and all the unique geology Badlands is known for.

5. Fossil Exhibit Trail 🦴
Distance: 0.25 miles loop
Why Go: Great for kids and learners! Interpretive signs along the way highlight ancient creatures and real fossil discoveries.

💡 Tips for Hiking:
Start early to beat the heat 🌞
Bring water — there’s very little shade
Stay on trail to protect the fragile landscape
Watch for bighorn sheep and prairie dogs!

Post by EN the traveller | May 24, 2025

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