One of a trio of short trails starting from the same parking lot in eastern Badlands National Park, the Door Trail veers gently through a break in the Badlands Wall. After a wheelchair-accessible overlook, a more rugged path continues onward amidst the wild ravines, hoodoos, and outcrops, culminating at a drop-off point above a modest canyon, with views of the Wall beyond. This is an easy and family-friendly hike, though watch your footing on the uneven surface.

The hike

Start the short hike at the large parking lot for the Door, Notch, and Window Trails, over Cedar Pass from the Ben Reifel Visitor Center in Badlands National Park. Many do the hike on the way in or out from Interstate 90, situated about six miles north. The Door Trail can be found near the north end of the parking area, beginning as a level, wheelchair-accessible boardwalk that skirts a protruding part of the Badlands Wall.

The path soon passes through a cut in the wall, revealing a maze of multihued gullies beyond. The boardwalk culminates at an overlook with broad views over the moonscape.

Many will choose to turn back from here, but it is possible to continue a quarter mile farther if hikers retrace their steps for perhaps 25-30 yards and take a left, dropping down a staircase to the bedrock. From here, follow the yellow blazes across the rugged landscape, with the canyons deepening off to the right and left.

Clear an initial gulch, then cross rosy badlands, dodging minor hoodoos. Skirt a scrubby ravine then, between stakes #6 and #7, cruise across a chalky flat. Thereafter the path bears right, then climbs a step to stakes #8 and #9. After #10, cut through a notch, pass #11, and come to a sign marking the end of the trail.

Here the ground gives out to an eroded network of deep ravines with few signs of vegetation. Off to the south, admire the higher peaks of the Badlands Wall, seen from the northern “back side.” The colorful hues of red, orange, and gray are particularly dramatic in the evening glow.

When ready, return the way you came, across the crumbly trail and back to the staircase and boardwalk. Bear left and take the level path back through “the Door” and return to the trailhead.