As a kid growing up in Cincinnati Ohio it always felt like Western South Dakota was the gateway to another world as we headed West on a summer road trip. The first stop for us was typically Badlands National Park. This small National Park is right off the Interstate and boasts accessible hiking trails, in-park camping and lodging, and a huge backcountry unit run by the Oglala Sioux Tribe! In this article we share Five Badlands National Park Day Hikes.
Badlands National Park is split into two units. 98% of visitors go to the Northern Unit conveniently located off of I-10. This unit is small and concise with easy to follow hiking trails, a lodge, visitor center, and campgrounds. The Southern Unit is all backcountry and not to be missed if you are up for the adventure! I’ll share some of my favorite day hikes that I have done along with lodging and camping options I have utilized.
I got off of the hiking trail and the license plates read Missouri, New York, Rhode Island, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, and California. I met hikers and campers from Russia, India, Germany, France, and Canada and members of the local Lakota and Sioux tribes. It’s truly celebrated by people from all over the planet!
Dogs are welcome at the campgrounds and dirt roads but not on the trails just fyi!
It’s a privilege to go hiking on public lands. Especially while you are taking a trip, on vacation, or on a holiday somewhere you don’t live. Giving love and respect to the culture is vital and while we are at it…Leave No Trace and Pack Your 10 Essentials :)!
Five Badlands Day Hikes:
1. The Castle Trail/Medicine Root Loop
2. Notch Trail
3. Door and Window Trail
4. Sheep Mountain South Unit
5. Saddle Pass
Badlands National Park Hike: Castle Trail and Medicine Root
You can start this from the same parking lot as the Door/Window/Notch Trails. So you can combine routes without driving elsewhere.
It’s a beautiful hike, somewhat hard to follow in spots, and can be SUPER HOT in the summer. There is no shade on the trail and I did see a small rattlesnake.
Badlands National Park Hike: Notch Trail
The Notch Trail is super exciting with a climb up and down a short ladder, through canyons, and out to sweeping vistas. It also features beautiful formations of the Badlands very fast without the crowds of the Window and Door Trails.
It’s a popular hike so go early!
Badlands Hike: Door and Window Trail
If you only have a short window of time for a hike or are looking for an ADA accessible option these are your trails! What is really lovely about this park is you get to taste all its beauty on these trails just as much as someone can who hikes for hours.
You only need about 30 minutes to truly taste some of the Badlands beauty!
Badlands South Unit
This entire unit is in the backcountry. There are no trails, and there are really no people.
Managed by the Oglala Sioux Tribe on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in cooperation with the National Park Service I LOVED my day exploring here. Sheep Mountain, the White River Visitor Center, and the Red Shirt Table overlook are all stunning spots to explore and learn.
The local tribes were pushed out of here and the land turned into a gunnery range during WWII. There are still UXO’s that might be found so keep an eye out for this :).
I would recommend off road exploring only for seasoned hikers and to have emergency supplies and maps. I did several short hikes that I could follow along well but I am also very comfortable hiking in flat desert terrain. The rangers at the White River Visitor Center will help point you in the right direction and you can earn a massive amount of the true history of this land from the Oglala Sioux Tribes perspective.
It’s a SUPER DIFFERENT and beautiful way to experience this park compared to the North Unit!
Badlands Hike: Saddle Pass.
A steep climb, easy pull-off spot, area to explore, and quick route for a gorgeous vista await you at Saddle Pass!
Badlands National Park offers seasonal front country camping, cabins, water fillups, and dining at Cedar Pass Lodge. Backcountry camping is also available and don’t forget to swing into Interior at Lulu’s for some of the best Indian Fry Tacos around!
Thanks for reading and supporting Happy People Hike, comment below with any questions. If you are planning a hiking or road trip to the Badlands in South Dakota we are happy to help out!
Happy Hiking,
Mike R
