Notch Trail

Notch Trail
4.6
15 Reviews
Notch Trail
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Details

Distance
1.25 miles
Elevation Gain
131 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back

Features

Scenic
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About this place

Added by Spud Groshong

The Notch Trail in Badlands National Park is a 1.25-mile out-and-back hike with a rope ladder and a gorgeous view at the end.

Notch Trail is on the south end of the Door Trail car park.

The Trail sorta follows a dry river bed but there is also a actual trail you can also follow. It winds through the gulch and about half a mile or so you come to a 50 foot ladder. The ladder is a pretty easy climb up but can be a little more difficult on the way down.

Beyond the ladder is a bit about 50 yards or so the trail gets very close to the edge and those with a fear of heights may be sketched out too much, about 100 feet into this part my brother and i found an older woman tucked into the shade waiting for her friend who had gone on with out her cause she was afraid of falling.

After the cliff part you enter a gulch that feels like you could be on mars. It ends with a views of Cedar Pass and the prairie below

Also right in this part of the park are Door Trail (.75 miles)and Window Trail (.25 miles) both out and back.

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Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and be sure to follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly.
Community
Reviews
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Chanel Mazzone
2/23/2026
So much fun! Easily looped with the other trails.
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Lindsay Keeney
6/12/2025
We hiked with a family of mountain goats. Had a great time!
Amazing Views
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Alex Borgen
5/26/2025
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Taylor Minnick
11/24/2023
An amazing hike
My grandma and I did this together and it was tough but very worth it. Two hiking poles and good boots (and no fear ...
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Jen Jurijczuk
6/3/2023
Amazing views, go early or later to avoid crowds
This trail is amazing! We hiked it with our newly turned 5 yr old and 8 yr old. They're avid, experienced hikers and had ...
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Greg C
6/25/2022
Can be quite busy
The trail is short, unique, and I love the ladder. It’s a very trafficked section of the park and in my opinion there are ...
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Drew Thompson
4/30/2022
Nice but overrated compared with other park locations
This hike is a nice intro to the park but be sure to see the viewpoints along the rim drive. Aside from the cool ...
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Tara Schatz
11/23/2020
Like being on top of the world!
This was a really cool hike! The ladder is about 50 feet. It was less sketchy going up than coming down! Once you're up, ...
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Isaac Parsons
10/17/2017
Great hike
Easy hike, not too strenuous, nice view. We did this hike pretty much 10 minutes before the sunset and jogged and speed walked and ...
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Ellie Sica
6/4/2017
So Much Reward For So Little Work!
This trail provides breathtaking views for such little work! We loved every minute of it and especially enjoyed the views at the end. The ...
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Kaitlyn Janak
5/1/2017
Nice Easy Hike
It's a quick and easy hike that makes you feel like you're not on this planet. Only "downside" is the views from the cliff ...
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Stephanie Windschill
11/26/2016
Unique and Fun
Makes you feel like you're on another planet! It doesn't take to long so if you're in the park, I recommend it!
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17ce7d5c57d087d780bd3e73fef67f37
11/10/2016
Short & Fun
This trail is short, easy (I was able to manage in Chacos) and just downright fun! Make sure to hike up on the right ...
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Tyler Zink
3/24/2016
Fun Trail
The scenery in the badlands is unreal and needs to be experienced at least once. This is a fun and different trail from the ...
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Rex McD
12/23/2015
Is That You?
I have driven through the Badlands but never spent much time exploring there. However, I definitely plan to after reading about this hike! Spud, ...
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