castle trail

Noni314

Just a flat, wide-open and boring hike. No shelter or shade and not much to look at once you begin. Pretty much the same all the way

328rachelh

We started at the Fossil Exhibit trail and walked along the Castle Trail to its second intersect with the Medicine Root Trail. We then followed the Medicine Root Trail back towards the car, finishing on the Castle Trail. Looking at a map might make this description easier to follow!We found that this combination made the hike interesting, taking in both the Badlands' peaks and its plains. We were also lucky enough to spot herds of bighorn sheep as well as several large birds. We hiked in late August and encountered both burning sun and heavy thunderstorms on our way. Hike prepared for both! This is a flat and easy hike, so the extra weight shouldn't be a problem.

Pdonatyandkids

Like all trails in the park we found this to be nice and easy. Plan according to the time of year you are here. We went in July and by mid day it was 104...therefore bring your water.

W2757FVmiker

Climbed Saddle Pass trail (15 mins), muddy in the wet. Did the Castle and Medicine Loop. Medicine out less interesting. Castle on the way back? Totally loved it. Well marked across the occasionally lunar landscape.

richardf600

This is a very nice and easy trail but, if you go in the summer dress for hot and take plenty of water. You can make it as long as you like depending on which trails you want to connect to. As someone else said, get out and walk. Don't just drive through the Badlands.

chrisl564

Have hiked all over the Black Hills and Badlands...this and Harney trail #9 are the very best. From the Windows/Doors/Notch parking lot trailhead to the Fossil Trail parking lot and back is 10 1/2 miles. Go early in the day, and bring LOTS of water. There is no water available at Fossil Trail. For a shorter hike, loop back using the Medicine Root Trail.

msu_gurl

Most of this hike is pretty easy but it's LONG and HOT. We started from the East side of the park near the shorter trails. We did the entire trail over to the Fossil Trail and then back. On our way back we took the Medicine Root Trail. That wasn't worth it. It seemed a lot longer and there isn't much to see there. I'd stay on the Castle Trail on the way back too. Make sure you have plenty of water and good shoes. I've worn my shoes hiking before and haven't gotten blisters but I came out of this one with at least 6 of them. After this trail (it took us about 4 hours) we were to worn out to do the other shorter trails. It's nice that it gets you off the road and you see things you couldn't from there but just remember that it's really long and if you're not used to hiking you probably shouldn't do the entire thing. The first part would probably be good enough.

yuliyag865

This is a great trail, indeed. Castle trail after half a mile or so connects to the Medicine and Root trail, which if walked in a loop back to the beginning of castle trail is 6.6 miles. I hiked this on a very hot late april afternoon. If you are coming in late spring or early summer - come early before the sun is out and burning hot. If you do come in the afternoon like me make sure to bring: a) hat. There is no shade anywhere and the sun will be scorching. Protect your head, face and shoulders from sunburn. b) LOTS of water. You should be drinking constantly as you will be sweating profusely. I would recommend a hydration system to put in your backpack. c) sturdy hiking boots. The trail is simple, but you will be on rocky surfaces and ankle support is cruciald) camera! take pictures and enjoy!!

RogerS544

The Castle trail is highly recommended. Don't just drive through the Badlands!! To really get a feel of the ruggedness of the area, get out of the car and walk the trail; at least for some of the trail. You really get a feeling of what it must have been like to walk through this areas or ride through on a horse back in the early days. It was just perfect to be there in the fall; not too hot or cold.

wundirboy

This is a relatively flat trail and the longest marked trail in the badlands. I've hiked this one twice. You visit many types of terrian. From grasslands to the hills themselves. Don't miss it if you have the time. If you can have someone drop you off at one end and pick you up at the other. Many great photo ops.

190CarolB190

Amazeing beyond description! My husband and I recently got home from touring the Bad Lands and believe me it was worth the 2,000 miles that we had to drive to get to a beautiful National Park . The landscape was awesome !We were driving on Interstate 90 when suddenly you see the majestic Bad Lands to the left of us.We hiked and took many photos. Spent a couple of hours taking in the scenery. There is also near the visitor center a parie dog community where for 50 cents you can feed the parie dogs peanuts.Dont hand them as they might bit but toss the peanuts down to them and they sit and eat the peanuts. So cute to watch them!There are also other attractions in the Bad Lands .

4Malli

We found some fossils a little ways off the Castle Trail, which was really exciting. We took pictures and the rangers believe they were about 31 million years old but the paleontologist will investigate it further. I wish we had time to hike further in on this trail, it's 2 miles long each way. I've heard it's beautiful at sunrise and sunset but unfortunately we weren't there at those times...though it was nice anyway.

OntarioCanuck

I did about have the trail and back from the west in early june and the scenery was wonserful. Some birds, lots of wildflowers, and great solitude. A very different view of the park which is worth the walk. Take a hat, water and good walking shoes, the trail is well marked so it is actually easy to follow. Just do it.

pretblueye

Here is where you can actually walk out among the Badlands and taken in the vast hugeness of the area. Take in the beauty and allow the imagination take you back to how this was formed

ever_wanderlusty

Go just after daybreak if it's summertime and hot -- you'll have the trail (and formations) to yourself and it's an incredibly peaceful hike with lots of interesting stuff to look at. We just did the portion that combines with the Medicine Root Trail for a four-mile loop, but wished we'd done even more. A very different look at the Badlands than you can get from a roadside viewpoint!