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Badlands: Medicine Root/Castle/Saddle Pass Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate
 4.3 (47)
  1. Areas
  2. SD
  3. …Western S. Dakota
  4. Badlands National Park
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“A scenic loop to see magnificent badlands formations, prairie and huge vistas. ”

Kyle Thompson
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Map Key

7.0

Miles

11.2

KM

Lollipop

2,648' 807 m

High

2,588' 789 m

Low

189' 58 m

Up

189' 58 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (1°)

4%

Max Grade (2°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

National Park rules apply.

Overview

The route crosses a large portion of the park allowing views of the White River Valley, badlands formations, bison and solitude. The trail is fairly level and not to difficult to navigate.

Need to Know

Some portions of the trail cross badlands formations which make the trail hard to follow. Stop and take the time to make sure of your path. An entry fee to the National Park is required.

Description

Begin at the Door and Window parking area and cross the street to start the trail. You immediately head into a wash and to the right do some small climbs up and down washes. Pass some badlands and marvel in their sculpting. Hike along dry stream beds and over open prairie. The trail heads south across the Old Northeast Road where you meet the Medicine Root Trail.

The Medicine Root Trail is a generally rolling trail connects with the Castle Trail near the Old Northeast Road and again at the intersection of the Castle and Saddle Pass Trail. Trail users are provided the opportunity to explore the mixed grass prairie while enjoying views of the Badlands in the distance. Watch for cactus and rattlesnakes. Continue on into the prairie and possible sightings of bison. This trail also turns to the south and passes along beds of rocks that were deposited by glacial stream.

A junction of the Medicine Root, Castle and Saddle Pass is encountered where you continue straight south on the Saddle Pass trail to the edge Badlands Wall and to an expansive view over the White River Valley. The park ground is visible from the overlook.

Loop backwards on the Saddle Pass Trail and turn right (east) down the Castle Trail. This portion of the trail has great views of close up badlands formations with draw and steep ravines. Parts of this section are difficult to follow as the trail disappears in the hard badlands dirt, so make sure to take the time to look ahead to find the right path through. Also, this section is rocky and uneven. The trail eventually head back to the Door and Window parking area backtracking on the initial section of the Castle Trail.

Flora & Fauna

Flowers in the spring, bison, rattlesnakes, prairie dogs, antelope and bighorn sheep.

History & Background

To the Lakota, this harsh and desolate landscape was known as "mako sica," meaning land bad." Early French trappers similarly described the area as bad lands to travel across." Today, geologists consider all the places in the world with similar topography and formation badlands.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Badlands National Park

Shared By:

Kyle Thompson
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 47 votes

#2

in Badlands National Park

#272

Overall
  4.3 from 47 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
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3 Star
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2 Star
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1 Star
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Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Badlands National Park

#3

in South Dakota

#272

Overall
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Photos

Prairie Dog and Shadow, Badlands National Park
Mar 26, 2020 near Kadoka, SD
Storm clouds on the Castle Trail.
Apr 15, 2016 near Kadoka, SD
Twilight along the Medicine Root Trail.
May 12, 2015 near Kadoka, SD
View from Saddle Pass. Credit: Familyrambling.com
May 8, 2015 near Kadoka, SD
Medicine Root Trail - Badlands, SD.
Jun 7, 2016 near Kadoka, SD
Badlands National Park
May 12, 2015 near Kadoka, SD

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Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 92 days ago
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Check-Ins

Jul 21, 2023
Emanuelle Leclerc
Jul 18, 2023
Gayle Paytes
Jun 18, 2023
Constance Roberts
May 17, 2023
Jane Schaefer
7mi — 2h 30m
Oct 3, 2022
Zoey Franzen
7.5mi — 4h 00m
Sep 26, 2022
Virginia Szabo
Aug 20, 2022
Peder Bisbjerg
I did the loop from the Saddle Pass and it is warmly recommended. 5mi — 2h 00m
Jul 3, 2022
Mia Bayar

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