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Window Trail in Badlands NP

Interior, South Dakota

3.0/5
based on 1 reviews

Details

Distance

0.25 miles

Elevation Gain

10 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by CampCo

The Window Trail is the perfect beginner trail or starting point for a Badlands hiking experience. It only takes about 15 minutes to get to the viewpoint (and back!), but it serves as the perfect place to whet your appetite for all the awesomeness the Badlands is about to throw at you. 

The trail is only about 1/8 mile from the parking lot that leads you to a viewing deck nestled in what is referred to as the "window" affording epic views of classic Badland scenery. The trail surface is paved and boardwalk and it is typically at least five feet wide. Most wheelchair/mobility equipment or stroller users will find this trail navigable.

There is also an area that is off to the left of the boardwalk trail that offers incredible photos up against the jagged wall. The vibrant green grass and blue sky colors seem to bounce off the walls making for a very surreal setting. There is no other place that can compare itself to the Badlands, and this area is the quintessential mixing pot. 

This trailhead is also the starting point for Door Trail and Notch Trail. All 3 trails can be done in a matter of a couple of hours. 

There is a fee of $30 per vehicle. If you are entering on foot, horse, or bike the fee is $15 per person. You can also purchase a park specific annual pass for $55.

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Features

Hiking
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Groups
Scenic
ADA Accessible

Window Trail in Badlands NP Reviews

The walk is a good introduction to the park with nice views, but it doesn’t quite immerse you into the Badlands like some other locations do. However accessible and good for younger children.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike the Badlands' Notch Trail

Hike the Castle/Medicine Root Trail in Badlands National Park

Door Trail in Badlands NP

Cliff Shelf Nature Trail

Drive the Sage Creek Rim Road

Saddle Pass Trail

Go Great Places in South Dakota

In the Mount Rushmore state, travels to South Dakota are full of one-of-a-kind adventure with wide-open spaces as endless as the horizons. Between legendary landscapes and scenic drives, you can always find space that shifts life into park. When you’re ready, go great places.

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