Skip to content
National Parks

Hiking the Notch Trail & Window Trail in Badlands National Park

8:44 ·South Dakota ·2022
Our take

If you can only do one hike in the Badlands, make it the Notch Trail, log ladder and all. This is the walking tour so you know exactly what you're getting into before you go. Short, fun, and the most interactive trail in the park.

Of all the hikes in Badlands National Park, the best, coolest, and most interactive is undoubtedly the Notch Trail. If you can only do one hike in all of Badlands, it should be the Notch Trail.

Dramatic badlands formations, winding pathways through golden meadows, sweeping views, and an epic log ladder – what more can you ask for?

Length: 1.5 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
Time Required: 45-70 minutes

In this condensed walking tour prospective hikers can get a great idea of what the Notch Trail in Badlands is all about including the epic wooden log ladder climb.

For our full Notch Trail guide visit: https://morethanjustparks.com/hike-notch-trail-badlands/

For things to do in Badlands National Park visit: https://morethanjustparks.com/things-to-do-badlands/