🥾 Notch Trail (1.5 miles, 127 feet elev. gain): This trail is definitely the one that gives you the most bang for your step. Relatively short and moderate, highlights include its famous ladder and an impressive end-of-hike overlook.
🥾 Castle Trail (10.3 miles, 305 feet elev. gain): If you want to get away from the crowds and enjoy the wildness of the park, you’ll love this trail. There are plenty of spots along the trail for backcountry camping as well. Consider adding the Medicine Root Trail (+1 mile) to your route. If you don’t have time for the full trail, stop by Saddle Pass Trail (0.7 miles, 216 feet elev. gain) to sample the Castle Trail.
🥾 Door Trail (0.9 miles, 22 feet elev. gain) or Window Trail (0.3 miles, flat): These trails are neighbors to each other and provide similar experiences. Do both if you want, but you’ll likely be satisfied with just one.

🚗 Badlands Loop Road: Take a leisurely drive along this road that winds through the park’s iconic geological formations. Stop at whatever pull-offs look good to you, but I recommend Big Badlands Overlook, Burns Basin Overlook, Pinnacles Overlook, and Yellow Mounds Overlook.
⛺ Camping: As with any national park, try to snag a campsite to enjoy the park more fully. Cedar Pass Campground takes advance reservations and Sage Creek Campground offers first-come, first-serve camping. You can also backcountry camp along the Castle Trail.
🔭 Stargazing: Badlands is not an International Dark Sky Park, but it is still known as a great place to watch the night sky. Ranger programs are available to help guide you through the clear night sky.
📷 Stronghold Unit: The southern part of Badlands receives much less traffic, making it appealing for those seeking more rugged adventure.

🏙️ Wall: The town of Wall sits just north of Badlands and includes several touristy hotspots, like the famous Wall Drug.
🗽 Minuteman Missile National Historic Site: This fascinating historic site is just north of the park. Check out the Delta-09 missile silo if you want to view a disarmed missile and consider booking a tour of the Delta-01 Launch Control Facility.
🏙️ Rapid City: The city sits a little over an hour from Badlands, making for a great “home base” if you’re visiting the area and are not interested in camping. There are plentiful outdoor activities located near the city, like those listed below. The city houses many hotels and restaurants.
🏞️ Wind Cave National Park: There’s another national park about 2 hours from the main entrances of Badlands. If you’re spending time in the area, be sure to check it out.
🏞️ Custer State Park: While it’s not a national park, Custer State Park is absolutely beautiful and worth a visit. Located near Wind Cave & Mount Rushmore, the park features a rewarding hike that takes you to the highest point in South Dakota.
🗽 Mount Rushmore National Memorial: While Mt. Rushmore is overhyped and overrated, you’d still be silly not to stop by this famous spot in the Black Hills for an hour or so while you’re in the area.
🏞️ Devils Tower National Monument: Sitting about 2.5 hours from Badlands, this impressive natural monolith is a great sightseeing and rock climbing spot.
🏞️ Theodore Roosevelt National Park: This park in North Dakota is almost 5 hours north of Badlands. If you are taking a trip to South Dakota, consider taking an excursion to this hidden gem of the NPS.

📅 When to Visit: Summer is the most popular time to visit, despite the common afternoon thunderstorms and high temperatures. While we enjoyed our visit in July, I’d suggest visiting in the Spring or Fall, when the weather is more mild and the crowds are thinner.
⌚ How Long to Visit: You can stop in the park for an afternoon and get plenty out of it, but I’d suggest 1-2 days to experience the park to its fullest potential. If you want to spend longer there, consider exploring the lesser-traveled Stronghold Unit to the south.
🚗 How to Get There: To visit Badlands, you need a car to access the park and navigate its roads. Rapid City – which is about an hour west – is a great jumping-off point.
🛏️ Where to Stay: Within the park, Cedar Pass Campground offers advance reservations and Sage Creek Campground offers first-come, first-serve options. You can also camp in the backcountry along the Castle Trail. If you don’t want to camp, look for a motel or Airbnb in Rapid City.
🧳 What to Bring: Bring all your hiking essentials, including sturdy boots or shoes, water, sunscreen, and snacks. If you want to explore the Castle Trail, bring your camping & backpacking gear.

✅ DO avoid the afternoon sun & heat by enjoying the park in the mornings or evenings.
✅ DO report fossils that you discover by taking a photo and reporting its location to a ranger at a park visitor center.
❌ DON’T move fossils from their original location.
❌ DON’T approach wildlife. While this is always true, it’s especially important in Badlands. Bison may charge you, and prairie dogs can carry bubonic plague.
❌ DON’T climb on the rocky formations whenever possible, as this will speed up the natural erosion process.