Badlands National Park
Location: South Dakota
Permit: No
Day 1: Scenic Drive and Fossil Highlights
Morning
Enter the park via the Northeast Entrance near Wall, South Dakota. Start with a quick stop at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center to pick up maps, refill your water bottles, and chat with a ranger about current trail and wildlife conditions.
Drive the Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240)
This 39-mile (63 km) scenic route winds through the heart of the park and features several must-see overlooks and short trails.
Recommended stops:
Big Badlands Overlook – impressive layered views, especially at sunrise
Door Trail – 0.75 miles (1.2 km) round trip, with a boardwalk and optional scramble into the formations
Window Trail – 0.25 miles (0.4 km) round trip to a dramatic canyon window
Notch Trail – 1.5 miles (2.4 km) round trip, features a log ladder and ends with a sweeping overlook
Fossil Exhibit Trail
A short 0.25-mile (0.4 km) boardwalk loop that showcases fossil replicas and interpretive signs. It's flat, educational, and great for kids or anyone interested in paleontology.
Afternoon and Sunset Drive
Continue west on the Loop Road, making sure to stop at:
Yellow Mounds Overlook – colorful, rolling hills unlike anywhere else in the park
Pinnacles Overlook – one of the best panoramic views, especially in the late afternoon
Optional Night Activity
If you're staying nearby, consider coming back after dark. Badlands is a designated Dark Sky Park, and stargazing here can be unforgettable on a clear night.
Day 2 – Hiking the Castle and Medicine Root Trails
Castle Trail
This is the longest maintained trail in the park at 16 km (10 miles) round trip. It's mostly flat and passes through mixed prairie and stunning rock formations. Ideal for hikers who want a full half-day experience.
Medicine Root Loop
A 4-mile (6.4 km) loop that branches off the Castle Trail about halfway through and loops back to it. This trail offers a quieter, more open landscape with a chance to spot wildlife like prairie dogs or bighorn sheep.
You can mix and match these trails depending on how much time and energy you have. A shorter out-and-back on Castle Trail combined with the Medicine Root Loop makes for a scenic and less strenuous.
If you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’re walking on another planet, Badlands National Park is the place. I spent a couple of days exploring this park and it blew me away! Whether you're road tripping through South Dakota or making the park your main destination, this 1–2 day itinerary is perfect for hitting the must-see spots while avoiding the crowds other national parks have.
Recommended time: 1-2 days
Be sure to download you AllTrails maps ahead of time as service is spotty
There are no campgrounds in the park, but there is free camping about 5 minutes outside the park at the Buffalo Gap National Grassland. These spots are all undeveloped and offer no services. Be prepared for wind as all the camp spots are on a hillside overlooking the valley.