Hiking in Badlands

The Cliff Shelf Nature Trail begins from its parking lot, just north of the visitor center on the Badlands Loop Road. This is an area called a slump, and is covered in juniper trees. It is a rare area of refuge from the harsh conditions of the badlands, and plants and animals thrive here. The easy trail loops through and above the area.

These three excellent trails all begin from the same area, so they are described together. The parking area is located on the Badlands Loop Road 2.6 miles southwest of the Northeast Entrance, or 2.3 miles northeast of the visitor center. The Door and Window Trails are short, scenic, and easy walks to two spectacular viewpoints through openings in the Badlands Wall. A view along the Window Trail is shown to the left. The Notch Trail is a bit longer, and steeper, as it climbs a ladder to a viewpoint overlooking the area.

This trail begins from a parking area located along the Badlands Loop Road 4.9 miles west of the visitor center. It is flat and easy, and loops through a scenic area. Several fossil examples are presented along the way, many of them protected in cases as shown to the left.