Name: Castle Trail
Rating: 4.5

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Description

This is the longest trail in the park that begins at the Door and Window parking area and travels five miles one way to the Fossil Exhibit Trail.

Relatively level, the path passes along some badlands formations that both tower above you and drop away below you. Most of the trail is on flat prairie, but does occasionally wander into badlands topography where the trail is hard to follow. Looking ahead and surmising the path of least resistance will help to find the other side of the trail.

Flora & Fauna

Bison, rattlesnakes, bighorn sheep, antelope, prairie flowers in the spring.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Badlands National Park

Shared By:

Kyle Thompson

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.5 from 26 votes

#4

in Badlands National Park

#213

Overall

4.5 from 26 votes

5 Star		50%
4 Star		46%
3 Star		4%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Trail Rankings

5 Views Last Month

3,100 Since May 8, 2015

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		23%
		42%
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Photos

Prairie Dog and Shadow, Badlands National Park

Mar 26, 2020 near Kadoka, SD

Apr 15, 2016 near Kadoka, SD

May 12, 2015 near Kadoka, SD

Mar 26, 2020 near Kadoka, SD

Apr 15, 2016 near Kadoka, SD

Apr 15, 2016 near Kadoka, SD

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Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Jul 19, 2023

Gayle Paytes

May 16, 2023

Diana Frenson

Sep 10, 2022

Pam Van Erem

As part of saddle back and medicine loop trails 2mi

Sep 9, 2022

Pam Van Erem

We hiked a small part after setting up camp

Jul 3, 2022

Mia Bayar

May 22, 2022

John Eversmeyer

3.4mi — 1h 44m

May 13, 2022

Erin Andersen

Includes some shorter trails off the main Door/Window parking lot. Spotted three snakes (no rattlers), herd of deer and bighorn sheep. 11.8mi — 4h 41m

Apr 25, 2022

Jill Shaddy-Gouvion

Just did a bit of the end 0.4mi

Oct 2, 2021

David Hitchcock

Nice hike out through the Badlands where I saw Bighorn Sheep, Rattlesnakes, and some deer. Nice morning hike. 11mi

Aug 14, 2021

Rosie Betenbaugh

5.3mi — 1h 36m

Aug 14, 2021

Rosie Betenbaugh

5.3mi — 1h 36m

Aug 2, 2021

Jennifer Spicher

4.8mi — 1h 58m

Jul 15, 2021

Thomas Horn

2mi

May 19, 2021

Elizabeth Higgins

11h 04m

Sep 22, 2020

Sandy Childrey

0.5mi

Aug 17, 2020

Jen Kwok

Aug 2, 2020

Matt Roy

2mi

Jul 4, 2020

Walter Kiefer

Castle Trail out and back to Badlands Loop Rd 3mi — 1h 22m

Jun 20, 2020

Jake S

Nov 15, 2019

Tom Herr

Relaxing hike through the meandering trail along washes. Muddy trail in spots. One way trail. I hitchhiked back to my car. 5.3mi

Oct 28, 2019

Jonathan Gigot

Sep 13, 2019

BK Hope

Aug 28, 2019

Elory Hranicka

Aug 11, 2019

Kirsten Rue

Jul 28, 2019

Saranya Subramanian

10.5mi

Jun 11, 2019

Jeremy Lucas

May 25, 2019

NOBUHIRO KONDO

May 24, 2019

Katie C

Tried in the AM, mud forced us to turn around. Tried again from the trailhead close to saddle pass. Beautiful open prairie views

Oct 21, 2018

Brian Ertl

Oct 13, 2018

Rachel Solorio

2.5mi

Oct 12, 2018

Rachel Solorio

2.5mi

Oct 11, 2018

Greer Vogl

Sep 25, 2018

Adrianna Carey

Sep 23, 2018

Kylie Radjenovic

Sep 13, 2018

Willem Kupper

Gorgeous, flat, calm, varied. 5.3mi

Sep 9, 2018

Kylie Radjenovic

5mi

Sep 7, 2018

Hannah Leidall

Started from the back side of the trail, very unclear where to walk. Hiked for 2 hours kind of found a trail and just walked back to our start.

Aug 9, 2018

Nikki Morrow

Ran out of water and hitch hiked back to my car what a day 7mi

Aug 8, 2018

Kathleen Emerson

2mi

Jul 9, 2018

Paul Gormisky

Jul 8, 2018

Rick Ihnat

There and back. Started at Doors.

Jul 1, 2018

Dan Cole

Jun 1, 2018

Private User

May 29, 2018

Robert Post

Great hike. Mostly flat. Pretty well marked if you look forward. Extra mileage accounts for some off trail exploring!! 5.7mi

Aug 11, 2017

Ryan Riessen

We only did the eastern 3rd. Fun trail 2mi

Aug 2, 2017

Rebecca Wood

Didn't finish but was beautiful. 4.1mi

Jun 28, 2017

Jenn DeBeers

Jun 7, 2017

Jordan Roque

May 27, 2017

Justin Molina

Apr 7, 2017

Chris Sweat

10.6mi

Oct 5, 2016

nic sev

Aug 22, 2016

Robert McDaniel

Aug 20, 2016

Molly Biagi

1h 30m

Aug 2, 2016

Jenna Carroll

2mi

Jul 13, 2016

Chris McCloud

Did as part of 2 day stay at Badlands NP, 7/13-7/14/16.

Jun 25, 2016

Paul Morelli

Jun 1, 2016

Chris Pap

May 15, 2016

Mike Cirillo

Longest in the park. Relatively flat and pretty well marked 10mi

May 9, 2016

Sara Clemenson

5mi

Oct 19, 2015

Josh Barbir

Absolutely beautiful. Every step on this trail is stunning. Mostly flat, deep in the badlands, even saw wild rams. Beautiful, must do it! 5.3mi

Sep 3, 2008

Karl W

Nearby Recommended Routes

Badlands: Medicine Root/Castle/Saddle Pass Loop

7.0 mi 11.2 km • 189' Up 57.51 m Up • 189' Down 57.51 m Down

Kadoka, SD

Badlands formations strike awe in the hearts of their visitors.

Sage Creek Wilderness Area Loop

22.2 mi 35.7 km • 639' Up 194.73 m Up • 639' Down 194.75 m Down

Kadoka, SD

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Castle Trail

“The longest trail in the park with great views, badlands and level trail. ”

5.3

8.5

Point to Point

2,673' 815 m

2,605' 794 m

140' 43 m

117' 36 m

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3%

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Know This Trail?

Dogs No Dogs

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Description

Flora & Fauna

Contacts

Shared By:

Trail Ratings

#4

#213

#4

#6

#213

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Nearby Recommended Routes

Badlands: Medicine Root/Castle/Saddle Pass Loop

Sage Creek Wilderness Area Loop

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