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Hike the Castle/Medicine Root Trail in Badlands National Park

Interior, South Dakota

Details

Distance

10 miles

Elevation Gain

0 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Alex Thompson

Great option for getting into the backcountry of Badlands National Park. 10 mile round trip hike.

Very flat trail that is 10 miles round trip from the Door Trailhead to the Fossil Exhibit Trail and back. There is also parking along Old Northeast Road. Trail connects with the Saddle Pass Trail. 

Hiking in the summer can be very hot and the trail offers no shade. Beautiful views of the badlands with the chance to escape the crowds during the summer. Wild flowers can be seen on the Medicine Root portion of the trail at certain times of year. Watch for rattlesnakes.

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Features

Hiking
Bathrooms
Easy Parking
Scenic
Wildflowers
Wildlife

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Leave No Trace

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

Nearby

Window Trail in Badlands NP

Hike the Badlands' Notch Trail

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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