The Notch Trail isn’t your average walk in the park; it’s a short but thrilling hike through a wild and rugged landscape. While many trails in the Badlands offer sweeping views from a distance, this 1.5-mile adventure puts you right in the middle of the action. Climbing the famous wooden log ladder and navigating narrow cliffside ledges really make this hike unique.
This hike is pure fun, transitioning from a leisurely canyon walk into a rugged obstacle course. The trail ends at a natural window in the rock known as “The Notch,” which offers an unparalleled view of the White River Valley.
We’ve done a lot of hikes in Badlands National Park and this is one of our favorites. It’s also fairly easy, making it perfect for newbie hikers, adventurous kids, and those just looking for a short, fun trail.
Notch Trail Hiking Stats
Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Total Ascent: 180 feet
Time: 1 hour
Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.
The Notch Trail
Step-By-Step Trail Guide
Getting to the Trailhead
Park in the large parking lot for the Window, Door, and Notch Trails. It is best to park at the southern end of the parking lot, since this is where the Notch trailhead is located.
On the Trail
At first, it’s a flat, leisurely walk through a wide canyon. The farther down the trail you walk, the more the walls close in around you.
After a few bends in the trail, you arrive at the wooden ladder. This ladder climb is the trickiest part of the hike but it’s also the most fun.
From the top of the ladder, follow the trail to the left. This is the cliff section of the hike. Briefly, you will walk along a narrow ledge with a drop-off on one side. The ledge is about 6 feet wide.
If you have a fear of heights, you can either stay as close as possible to the side wall, or take the detour through the canyon (keep reading to learn more about the detour).
Once the cliff section ends, you will walk up through the canyon until you get to “The Notch,” a cut-out in the walls. From here, you can look out over the Badlands and you will be able to see the Visitor Center, campgrounds, and part of the Cliff Shelf Nature Trail.
To finish the hike, retrace your steps back to the parking lot.
Optional Route through the Canyon
If you don’t think you can handle the ladder climb or the cliff walk, you can still do this hike.
Rather than climbing up the ladder, you can continue on the trail through the canyon. For a short distance, this trail meanders through the canyon and later meets up with the Notch Trail, just beyond the cliff section.
View of the trail from the cliff. The white line is the main trail. The red line is the optional detour to avoid the ladder and the cliff walk.
Frequently Asked Questions: Hiking the Notch Trail
Is the Notch Trail scary for those with a fear of heights?
Yes, it can be. While the first part is flat, the second half involves a 50-foot log ladder and a section where you walk along a narrow ledge with steep drop-offs. If you have a severe fear of heights, you may prefer to take the canyon floor detour to bypass the ladder.
Is the Notch Trail kid-friendly?
Absolutely, for the right age group. Many families with kids as young as 4 or 5 successfully hike this trail. However, children need close supervision on the ladder and cliff edges. For toddlers, a hiking carrier is highly recommended.
When is the best time to hike?
Early morning (at or just after sunrise) is best to avoid both the intense afternoon heat and the midday crowds. Because the trail is very popular, the ladder can have a “traffic jam” during peak hours. We did this hike just past sunrise and we had it all to ourselves.
What should I wear?
Sturdy hiking boots or shoes with good grip are essential due to the slippery, gravelly nature of the Badlands rock. Since there is no shade, wear a hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen.
Are dogs allowed on the Notch Trail?
No. Like all official wilderness trails in Badlands National Park, pets are not permitted on the Notch Trail.
More Hikes in this Area
Four walks/hikes start from the same parking lot.
The Notch Trail is the most fun and starts at the southern end.
The Window trail is located next to the Notch trailhead. Just .25 miles long, the trail ends at the Window, a viewpoint of “the Wall” and the pinnacles and spires that make the Badlands so famous.
The Door Trail starts at the north end of the parking lot. It is 0.75 miles long, starts off as a boardwalk trail, and then descends down into a field of fossil beds, with views of the pinnacles and spires of the Badlands.
The Castle Trail starts across the street from the parking lot. This is a 5-mile, point-to-point trail that ends at the Fossil Exhibit Trail. You can walk the entire distance, or just walk a mile and a half down the Castle Trail to hike into the grasslands of Badlands National Park.
We have a bigger list hikes in Badlands National Park, which includes these popular favorites plus a few underrated trails where you can leave the crowds behind ↓
Best Hikes in Badlands National Park: Short Boardwalks to Backcountry Trails
Here are 10 hikes in Badlands and tips on choosing which ones to include in your visit.Get updated trail and road conditions before you do this hike on the National Park Service website.
If you have any questions about hiking the Notch Trail, let us know in the comment section below.
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