Of all the hikes in Badlands National Park, the Notch Trail is the one you absolutely cannot skip. I’ve hiked every trail in the park multiple times, and this 1.5-mile loop consistently delivers more per step than anything else in the Badlands. A log ladder, a narrow cliff ledge, 180-degree views of the White River Valley, and a canyon that closes in around you like something out of a Western film. If you only have time for one hike in the entire park, this is it.
Badlands National Park at a Glance
1 alertThe trail is short but it packs a punch. You’ll go from flat prairie grassland to a slot canyon to a 50-foot ladder to a cliff’s edge overlook in under a mile. It’s the kind of hike that makes people fall in love with the Badlands, and I’ve seen it happen in real time more than once.
Below I’ve broken down everything you need to know, from trailhead logistics to the ladder climb itself to honest advice about when to go and what to watch out for.
Notch Trail Details
Location Door/Window parking area, 2 miles east of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center on Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240)
Length 1.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain 130-180 feet (depending on the source, but the NPS lists it as moderate to strenuous)
Difficulty Moderate. The NPS officially rates this one “moderate to strenuous” and they’re not wrong. It’s short, but between the ladder and the cliff ledge, it requires more focus than your typical Badlands boardwalk.
Time 1 to 1.5 hours. Budget extra if you want to photograph the ladder section or linger at the overlook.
Dog-Friendly No. Dogs are not allowed on the Notch Trail.
Getting to the Notch Trailhead
The Notch Trailhead sits at the south end of a long, narrow parking lot shared by four trails. From the northeast entrance of Badlands National Park (the one closest to Wall, South Dakota), drive 2.5 miles down Badlands Loop Road. You’ll see signage for the Door Trail, Window Trail, Castle Trail, and Notch Trail. It’s about a 5-minute drive from the entrance gate.
I recommend parking at the far end of the lot. Most folks pull into the first open spot near the Door Trail, which means the south end of the lot near the Notch Trailhead is usually wide open. Vault toilets are located about midway down the parking area, so hit those before you start.
There is no fee station at the trailhead itself. Your Badlands entrance fee ($30 per vehicle, or free with an America the Beautiful pass) covers access to all trails in the park.
Best Time to Hike the Notch Trail
Early morning. Full stop. I’ve hiked this trail at sunrise and had it completely to myself. By 10am on a summer weekend, you’ll be sharing the ladder with a line of folks waiting their turn.
Beyond the crowd factor, there’s a heat problem. The Notch Trail has zero shade. None. In July and August, surface temperatures on the Badlands formations can hit 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The air temperature regularly pushes past 100. Starting at or just after sunrise means you’ll finish the hike before the worst of it sets in.
The best months overall are May and September. Shoulder season delivers comfortable hiking weather (60s and 70s), smaller crowds, and beautiful light on the formations. April and October work too, though you’ll want a layer for morning chill.
If you’re visiting during the first week of August, know that the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally brings hundreds of thousands of people to the region. The park doesn’t get crushed the way you might expect, but the roads and towns around it do.
One hard rule. Do not hike the Notch Trail during or after rain. The NPS specifically warns that this trail becomes “treacherous” when wet. Badlands clay turns to slick mud in minutes, and the ladder and cliff ledge become genuinely dangerous. If thunderstorms roll through (common on summer afternoons), wait it out. There’s no shelter on this trail and you do not want to be on an exposed cliff ledge during lightning.
Video of the Notch Trail
To give you the best possible idea of what to expect on the Notch Trail, I created this condensed walk-through video.
The Meadow Section (First Quarter Mile)
The first stretch of the Notch Trail is deceptively mellow. You leave the parking lot and walk through a flat, open meadow of mixed-grass prairie. The trail is a well-worn dirt path, easy to follow but not boardwalked like the Door or Window trails nearby. You’re walking on actual ground here, which is part of the appeal.
On either side, Badlands formations start rising out of the grass like something dropped from orbit. These layered buttes and pinnacles are 75 million years of geological history stacked up in bands of gray, tan, pink, and red. The Badlands erode roughly an inch per year, which means what you’re looking at right now won’t look the same in your grandkids’ lifetime.
Keep your eyes open through this section. I’ve spotted bighorn sheep on the ridgelines above the trail, and prairie dog towns are active in the grassland nearby. Pronghorn antelope are common too, though they tend to keep their distance.
Into the Canyon
After about a quarter mile, the meadow narrows and a small valley forms around you. The trail drops into a canyon and follows a dry creek bed. This is where the hike starts to feel different from every other trail in the park.
The canyon walls close in as you go deeper. You’ll see erosion patterns in the rock that look almost sculptural. The walls are striped in pale gray Pierre Shale, tan Chadron Formation, and reddish volcanic ash deposits. It’s like walking through a geology textbook, except the textbook is 40 feet tall and all around you.
There are a few offshoot trails that branch off through here. Don’t stress about them. They all converge back to the main path. Just keep heading toward the canyon walls and you’ll be fine.
This section is where I’d recommend pausing to listen. On a calm morning with nobody else on the trail, the silence is almost physical. You can hear the wind moving through the grass a quarter mile away.
The Wooden Log Ladder
The trail twists through the canyon a few more times before you hit what looks like a dead end. Then you look right and see it. A 50-foot wooden ladder with roughly 55 rungs, bolted to the canyon wall with steel wire cables. The only way forward is up.
This is the moment that makes or breaks the hike for most folks, and honestly, it’s the best part. The ladder looks more intimidating than it actually is. The bottom third is fairly gentle in angle, and the rungs are spaced close enough that you can grab the next one without reaching. As you climb higher, the angle steepens, the rung spacing widens slightly, and the ladder has more bounce to it. My advice is to lean into the rock face rather than away from it. That kills most of the wobble.
The full climb takes about a minute, maybe two if you’re being careful. I’ve walked up it like a staircase, but I wouldn’t recommend that for first-timers. Use three points of contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand at all times) and take your time. There’s no rush, and no one is judging you for going slow.
A few practical notes on the ladder. It can only really accommodate one direction of traffic at a time. If someone is coming down, wait at the bottom. If there’s a line, use the time to catch your breath and take some photos of the canyon. I’ve never waited more than 5 minutes, even on busy mornings.
For folks who don’t want to climb the ladder, there’s an alternative. Keep walking past the ladder through the canyon floor. The path eventually loops around and connects with the upper section of the trail, letting you reach the Notch viewpoint without the climb. It adds some distance but it works.
Top Half of the Notch Trail (The Cliff Ledge)
Once you pull yourself over the top of the ladder, everything changes. You go from a narrow canyon to a wide-open cliff ledge with sweeping views back down the trail, across the prairie, and all the way to the parking lot in the distance. It’s one of those moments where the scale of the Badlands really hits you.
Looking back down the ladder from the top is, in my opinion, the single best photo opportunity on the entire trail. The ladder framed against the canyon with the prairie stretching out behind it. Get here in the first hour after sunrise and the low-angle light turns the formations gold.
From the top of the ladder, the trail turns left and follows a cliff ledge toward the Notch. The ledge is roughly 6 feet wide on average, so there’s room to walk comfortably. But the left side drops off steeply, and on a windy day, that drop feels more real than usual. Stay toward the wall side if heights aren’t your thing.
About 500 feet along the ledge, you’ll get another perspective of the ladder from above. This is a great spot to photograph other hikers making the climb if you’re into that kind of shot.
The Notch Viewpoint
From the ladder to the Notch itself is about half a mile along the cliff ledge. I’ll be honest. The ladder is the highlight. The Notch viewpoint, while scenic, is less dramatic than what you just experienced getting there. That said, it delivers far-reaching 180-degree views of the White River Valley with the Cliff Shelf Nature Trail and the Ben Reifel Visitor Center visible below.
The Notch faces southwest, which makes it a strong sunset spot if you time it right. Late afternoon light paints the entire valley in pinks and purples that photograph extremely well. Just make sure you have enough daylight to navigate the ladder on the way back down. Climbing it in the dark is not something I’d recommend.
If you’re short on time, I’d say turn around after you get the second ladder perspective about 500 feet past the top. You’ll still get 90% of the experience and save yourself 20 minutes. But if you’ve got the time, walk the full trail to the Notch. You’re already there. Might as well.
After reaching the Notch, head back the way you came. The ladder is actually easier to descend than climb. Face the wall, use three points of contact, and take it one rung at a time.
Alternative Route (No Ladder)
For folks who want to skip the ladder, there’s a workaround. Continue past the ladder through the canyon floor. After a few twists and turns the path converges with the upper Notch Trail, letting you reach the viewpoint without the climb. You’ll miss the best part of the hike, in my opinion, but you’ll still get the views at the end.
Safety and What to Bring
The NPS notes that the Notch Trail sees more injuries than any other trail in the park. That’s not because it’s inherently dangerous. It’s because folks underestimate it. They show up in flip-flops, skip the water, or try the ladder after a rainstorm. Don’t be that person.
Footwear. Wear real hiking shoes or boots with grippy soles. The Badlands rock is gravelly and loose in places, and the ladder rungs can be slippery when damp. Trail runners work fine. Sandals do not.
Water. Bring at least a liter per person, more in summer. There is no water source on the trail or at the trailhead. The nearest water fill station is at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, 2 miles west.
Sun protection. I cannot stress this enough. There is zero shade on this trail. Wear sunscreen (I use this reef-safe one on every hike), a hat, and sunglasses. I’ve gotten sunburned through a long-sleeve shirt out here. The UV at this elevation and latitude is no joke.
Heights. If you have a genuine fear of heights, this trail will test you. The ladder is 50 feet off the ground and the cliff ledge has steep drop-offs on one side. The NPS specifically says this trail is “not recommended for anyone with a fear of heights.” That’s fair. Use the alternative route if needed.
Rattlesnakes. Prairie rattlesnakes live in the Badlands and can grow up to 5 feet long. I’ve never seen one on the Notch Trail personally, and encounters are rare, but they’re out there. Watch where you put your hands and feet, especially around rocky areas at the base of the ladder. If you see one, give it a wide berth and let it move on.
Kids. I’ve seen families with kids as young as 6 or 7 complete the ladder section, but it requires close supervision. The cliff ledge is the bigger concern. If you’re not comfortable with your kid near a drop-off, stick to the Door and Window trails at the same parking lot.
Photography Tips for the Notch Trail
This trail is incredibly photogenic, but timing matters more than gear.
Sunrise is best. The formations face roughly east and northeast, so morning light hits them directly. The first 45 minutes after sunrise turns everything gold and pink. By midday, the light is flat and harsh and the formations lose all their dimension.
The money shot is from the top of the ladder looking back down. Put a person on the ladder for scale and you’ve got a photo that tells the whole story of this hike in one frame. A wide-angle lens (16-35mm or equivalent) works perfectly here.
At the Notch itself, the view faces southwest. If you’re here for sunset, the White River Valley lights up in purples and deep oranges. Bring a tripod if you want to stay for blue hour, but remember you still need to descend the ladder in fading light.
One more thing. The Badlands at night are a legitimate dark sky destination. If you’re camping nearby, come back to the parking area after dark and look up. On a clear, moonless night, the Milky Way arcs directly over the formations. Some of the best night sky photography I’ve ever done was right here.
Nearby Hikes (Same Parking Lot)
One of the best things about the Notch Trail is that three other trails leave from the same parking area. You can easily combine two or three of these into a single morning.
The Window Trail is a 0.25-mile out-and-back with a boardwalk that leads to a natural window in the Badlands Wall. It takes about 10 minutes and the view through the “window” into the eroded canyon below is genuinely stunning. This is the easiest trail in the park and worth the detour.
The Door Trail is 0.75 miles round trip and starts from the north end of the parking lot. The first quarter mile is an accessible boardwalk that leads through a break in the Badlands Wall known as “the Door.” Beyond the boardwalk, you can scramble out onto the formations for a more immersive experience, though the unmarked section requires some route-finding.
The Castle Trail leaves from across the road and stretches 5 miles one-way, making it the longest trail in the park. It’s flat and exposed but takes you deep into the Badlands backcountry. I’d only recommend it if you have a full morning and plenty of water.
My recommendation for a perfect Badlands morning. Start with the Notch Trail at sunrise, then walk the Window Trail on your way back through the parking lot, and finish with the Door Trail if you still have energy. Total distance is under 3 miles and you’ll have hit the three best short hikes in the park before most folks have finished breakfast.
Map of the Notch Trail
Things to Know Before You Go
Leave No Trace. Practice it. Read about the seven principles and live by them. The Badlands are fragile. The formations erode roughly an inch per year, and every shortcut across a formation accelerates that. Stay on the trail.
The Best Guidebook. I like this guide best for Badlands. It covers every trail and overlook with honest difficulty ratings.
The Best Map. I recommend this map for Badlands National Park. Cell service is spotty throughout the park, so don’t rely on your phone for navigation.
RELATED: Read our article on 20 Epic Things to Do in Badlands National Park
Getting to Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park is located in southwestern South Dakota, about 75 miles east of Rapid City. The closest town is Wall (home of the famous Wall Drug roadside attraction), which sits right at the northeast entrance to the park.
Closest Airport RAP, Rapid City Regional Airport. From Rapid City (or just “Rapid,” as the locals call it) you can rent a car and be in the Badlands in under an hour. Rapid City is a great gateway to Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Wind Cave National Park, and the Black Hills National Forest.
Park Entrance Fee $30 per vehicle for a 7-day pass. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) covers all 400+ national park units.
The Bottom Line on the Notch Trail
The Notch Trail is 1.5 miles of the most varied, engaging hiking in all of Badlands National Park. You get a prairie meadow, a slot canyon, a 50-foot log ladder, a cliff ledge walk, and panoramic views of the White River Valley. All in about an hour. No other trail in the park gives you this much variety in this little distance.
Show up at sunrise, wear real shoes, bring water, and take your time on the ladder. That’s it. That’s the whole strategy.
More Helpful Articles
Best Hikes in Badlands 15 Best Hikes in Badlands National Park
Hiking the Castle Trail Castle Trail Epic Hikes in Badlands National Park (Photos + Guide)
Badlands NP Guide Helpful Guide to Badlands National Park
Things to Do in Badlands 20 Incredible Things to Do in Badlands National Park
Badlands Facts 10 Amazing Facts About Badlands National Park
Things to Do Wind Cave 10 Epic Things to Do at Wind Cave National Park
Visiting Mount Rushmore 15 Helpful Tips for Visiting Mount Rushmore
Things to Do Near Rushmore 25 Epic Things to Do Near Mount Rushmore
Black Hills National Forest Guide to the Black Hills National Forest
South Dakota National Parks 6 Epic South Dakota National Parks Worth Visiting
South Dakota Landmarks 15 Amazing South Dakota Landmarks to See
South Dakota Historical Sites 15 Incredible South Dakota Historical Sites
Watch the Award-Winning Badlands National Park Videos
