Badlands National Park: East Side Hiking

Badlands National Park has unusual rock formations and canyons with vibrant colors and plenty of hiking trails to explore.

There are two areas of trails in the park on the east side. The first area includes the Door, Window, and Noth trails, which our family explored. Then we went down the road to the Cliff Shelf Trail which included far-off views. These hiking trails are along the South Dakota Highway 240 east side entrance section of the park.

This park encompasses 244,000 acres of striking geologic deposits that include fossils along with current residents of bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets.

This summer, I am detailing our road trip to the Dakotas and Mount Rushmore as a series for a family adventure you might want to do!

DOOR TRAIL

A .8 mile out and back hike that goes out into Badlands canyon area. Look for the trailhead on the north side of the large parking lot for Door, Window, and Notch trails.

*As you enter the Badlands canyon you find an information sign.*

The trail enters through the badlands through a break that is called “The Door.”

The first-quarter mile is a boardwalk that ends at an overlook.

Then you enter an area of spires and canyons.

We went past the boardwalk and my son began to climb on the mounds.

This area had some up and down that he could wander around. It ends at a point and here we looked out. I didn’t let him go any further since the area became more canyonlike from here on.

Final Thoughts

The beginning of the hike is easy on the boardwalk. Once you go off the boardwalk we headed into the harder-to-walk territory. He liked the chance to climb around and I stayed close so he didn’t go off too far where it was more treacherous.

NOTE: Find the restrooms in the central area of the parking lot.

WINDOW TRAIL

An easy .25-mile hike that leads to a natural window in the Badlands and intricately eroded canyon.

Hiking the Trail

First, we passed by a high gray spire before walking toward the lookout.

The view here was worth the short walk where the canyon went off in the distance as far as the eye could see. A metal railing protected you from tumbling down.

After taking in the view we headed back.

Final Thoughts

For a short easy boardwalk trail, it is worth the walk for the views. My son enjoyed looking out over the Badlands.

NOTCH TRAIL

Near the Window Trailhead, the 1.5-mile Notch Trail begins.

This trail goes further into the canyon and involves a log ladder that leads to a ledge or “The Notch” with dramatic views of the White River Valley. It is moderate to strenuous.

It is not recommended for anyone with a fear of heights and can be treacherous in heavy rains.

With a young kid, I didn’t think this would be a trail we would do, maybe when he is older.

CASTLE TRAIL

A five-mile trail, ten miles out and back, beginning across the road from the Door and Window trails parking area. It is the longest trail in the park and goes from the parking area to the Fossil Exhibit Trail in another part of the park. It is relatively level and passes through the Badlands formations. This would be too long for us to do.

ANOTHER TRAIL WE HIKED ALONG HIGHWAY 240

Cliff Shelf Trail

A .5-mile trail up the road from the Door and Window trails parking area. It is a loop trail that follows boardwalks and goes up some stairs through a juniper forest from its own trailhead parking area.

We did not do the full trail and explored the area near the lookout that has views of the White River valley below at the start of the trail.

*Boardwalk and stairs go up into the canyon*

It is an easy-to-follow trail since from the overlook and you can look up into the Badlands walls and see the full loop.

HIking some of the trail — *Hiking along part of the trail.*

Even if you don’t hike the whole trail it is worth the stop if only for the views.

My son is pictured by the large sign for the center.

BEN REIFEL VISITOR CENTER AT BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK

After hiking this trail, we stopped at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center where you can find maps of the park and ask Park Rangers for information on the trails and the park.

Address: 25216 SD-240, Interior, SD 57750

I will write about our next day at the park checking out the Saddle Pass Trail and the Fossil Exhibit Trail and then heading onto Wall Drug for lunch. This involves going to the west side of the park along the Badlands Loop Road / Highway 240!

DETAILS

Drive: From St. Louis take Interstate 70 west to downtown Kansas City then head north on Interstate 29 to Sioux Falls South Dakota then take Exit 396 for Interstate 90 westbound and then take exit 131 from Interstate 90 and go south on South Dakota Highway 240 to the entrance of the national park.

Hours: 24 hours

Admission: $30 per vehicle good for 7 days

Address: 21020 SD-240, Interior, SD 57750

OUR STAY: BADLANDS MOTEL AND CAMPGROUND

We stayed the night at the Badlands Motel and Campground. It is a simple motel with basic accommodations. Staying here though allowed us to visit the park easily the next day since this was on the less-visited side of the park. Also, the park is open 24 hours a day so we could have returned later in the evening or early in the morning for sunrise.

*Views of the Badlands from the motel grounds*

An added feature was it was near the national park and a small trail north of the campground provided views of the Badlands.

Address: 20615 SD-377, Interior, SD 57750

ATTRACTIONS ON THE WAY TO BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK

We drove to the Badlands National Park from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Along the way, we checked out other interesting sites.

Mitchell Corn Palace

In Mitchell, South Dakota you can stop at the world’s only Corn Palace. Each year the palace is redecorated with new corn, grain, and grass along its walls.

Hours: During the summer season it is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. although the main draw is the outside which you can see anytime.

Address: 604 N. Main Street, Mitchell, SD 57301

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

Just north of exit 396 is the Minuteman Missile Visitors Center. At the center, you can learn about the Cold War through exhibits and possibly take a tour of a ballistic missile control center.

Hours: 8 a.m. 4 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday, Closed Sunday and Monday

Address: 24545 Cottonwood Road, Philip, SD 57567