Notch Trail

The Badlands are part of the homeland of the Oglala Lakota of the Oceti Sakowin, the Great Sioux Nation, and the very word Badlands echoes the Lakota name Mako Sica, meaning land bad or hard to travel. To the Lakota this country was not wasteland but a place of shelter, hunting, and ceremony, and its rugged folds hid people and game alike.

The southern half of Badlands National Park lies within the Pine Ridge Reservation and is co-managed with the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and the White River Valley that the Notch overlooks is Lakota land and history as much as it is national park. The great open view from the gap in the rock is a view across a living homeland.

The rock of the Badlands is soft, made of layers of mud, ash, and silt laid down over tens of millions of years and pressed into stone. Because it is soft, water tears through it fast, and the whole landscape of spires, gullies, and canyons is the work of rain and runoff cutting down through the layers at a remarkable pace.

The canyon the Notch Trail follows was carved this way, and the Notch itself is a spot where erosion broke clean through the rock wall, opening a window onto the valley below. The banded colors in the canyon walls, the reds, tans, grays, and yellows, are different ancient soils and ash falls stacked one atop another, a painted record of deep time you walk right through.

The heart of the hike is the ladder, a sturdy structure of logs and cable set against a steep pitch that would otherwise stop most hikers cold. Climbing it is the moment people remember, a genuine bit of scrambling that turns a walk into a small climb, and it is safe with care but not for anyone unhappy with heights.

Above the ladder the trail traces a shelf along the canyon wall, with steep drops in places, before delivering you to the Notch. The footing is uneven and the exposure real, so this is a hike to take slowly and thoughtfully. After hard rain the whole route can turn slick and treacherous, and rangers sometimes advise against it, so it always pays to check conditions before setting out.

Summer in the Badlands is fierce, with searing heat and no shade on the trail, so early morning and late evening are by far the best times, cooler and softer in light. The low sun sets the rock glowing and makes the view from the Notch unforgettable, which is why sunrise and sunset are the classic times to go.

Spring and fall bring milder days and are ideal for the hike, with fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures. Winter can bring snow and ice that make the ladder and ledge dangerous, so cold-season hikers should be cautious and check with the visitor center before attempting the trail.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The Notch Trail, in Badlands National Park in western South Dakota, is a popular and adventurous hiking trail that winds through the badlands to a dramatic notch in the cliffs with sweeping views, famous for a log ladder climb along the way. The trail leads through a canyon and up a steep wooden log ladder onto a ledge, then along to the notch, where hikers are rewarded with a stunning view over the White River valley and the badlands. Its exciting ladder and beautiful payoff make it one of the most memorable hikes in the park. An adventurous and scenic badlands trail, it thrills hikers. With its ladder and views, the Notch Trail offers a spectacular destination in South Dakota.

The Notch Trail includes a steep log-ladder climb and follows ledges with significant drop-offs, so it is not for those uncomfortable with heights or ladders, and hikers should use great caution on the ladder and near the edges, wear sturdy footwear, avoid the trail when the ground is wet and slippery or storms threaten, and watch children closely. The badlands are hot and exposed with rattlesnakes possible, so bringing plenty of water, sun protection, and staying alert matter. Using caution on the ladder and drop-offs and coming prepared ensure a safe hike on the Notch Trail in South Dakota.

On the Notch Trail you can experience the adventurous log-ladder climb, hike through a badlands canyon and along ledges, and reach the notch for a stunning view over the White River valley and the surrounding badlands. The exciting ladder, the canyon scenery, and the dramatic view from the notch are the draws, making it a memorable and rewarding hike. The view from the notch is the highlight. With its adventure and views, the Notch Trail offers a rewarding experience in South Dakota.

The mild months of late spring and early fall offer the most comfortable temperatures for the exposed hike, avoiding the intense summer heat, while early morning and evening are best in warm weather, and the trail should be avoided when wet, muddy, or when storms threaten, as the footing and ladder become dangerous. Because conditions matter greatly, checking the weather and current trail status before you go is important. For safe, comfortable hiking, aim for mild, dry conditions in late spring or early fall on the Notch Trail in South Dakota.

The Notch Trail is in Badlands National Park in western South Dakota, near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, within reach of the Badlands Loop Road and Pinnacles Overlook, the Sage Creek area and its bison, and Wall Drug in nearby Wall. That makes the Notch Trail a spectacular stop to combine with the Ben Reifel Visitor Center and the other attractions of Badlands National Park on a visit to South Dakota.