🥾 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!