I visited Badlands National Park several years ago in late summer, in ridiculous heat, and the trail I really wanted to hike was closed for maintenance. This time was much better weather-wise, and I finally got to hike the Notch Trail.
Even if one doesn’t like hiking or exploring on foot, Badlands National Park is an amazing place to visit. The Badlands Loop Road is incredible, with 360-degree views. I stayed at Cedar Pass Campground inside the park, which has zero privacy and is more like parallel parking than individual campsites, but great views of the cliffs and rock formations from many sites. Sunrise from the campground was wow.
The Yellow Mounds area is quirky, a wonderful color palette of yellows, tans, and reds in layers. Not much hiking here, but plenty of places to pull over along the road and get out to stretch the legs and wander a bit.
The Notch Trail was closed on my previous visit, so that is what I headed to first. This is not a long trail, nor incredibly strenuous, but it’s definitely not for anyone afraid of heights or ladders. After a short walk through a canyon and scrambling up the ladder, the trail winds through more canyon and other-worldly rock formations to the edge of the upper cliffs. From here there are several vantage points to look out what seems like forever across the badlands area. This is an out-and-back trail, meaning you have to go back down the ladder on the return. Fun for me, but not for some.
The Door Trail starts in the same parking area as the Notch Trail, and though it’s quite short it allows you to walk out onto a large area of surreal rocks and formations. This is a great place to sit and just be, preferably with a nice cold iced tea.
This is definitely a place everyone should see at least once in their life.