Near Castle Trail
Prairie Dog and Shadow, Badlands National Park
Near Castle Trail
Storm clouds on the Castle Trail.
Near Castle Trail
three alone
Near Castle Trail
The view at the beginning of the trail.
Near Castle Trail
View from Saddle Pass. Credit: Familyrambling.com

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Driving Directions
Hike Trail

Castle Trail

4.5 (26 Ratings)
The longest trail in the park with great views, badlands and level trail.
5.1
mi
Distance
64
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
Views
Access Issues
National Park rules apply.

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
5.12mi
Distance
64ft
Elevation Gain
54ft
Elevation Loss
20%
Max Grade
2,677ft
High Point
2,605ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
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.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
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Nearby Hike Routes

Badlands: Medicine Root/Castle/Saddle Pass Loop

Hike Route

Badlands: Medicine Root/Castle/Saddle Pass Loop

Views
moderate
6.8 mi
+156 ft
Window Trail

Hike Route

Window Trail

Views
easy
0.1 mi
+0 ft
Notch Trail

Hike Route

Notch Trail

Views
moderate
0.63 mi
+126 ft
The Door Trail

Hike Route

The Door Trail

Views
easy
0.84 mi
+30 ft
Fossil Exhibit Trail

Hike Route

Fossil Exhibit Trail

Family Friendly
easy
0.18 mi
+1 ft
Deer Haven

Hike Route

Deer Haven

Views
easy
2.76 mi
+244 ft
Contributors
Kyle Thompson