A more challenging alternative to the adjacent Door and Window Trails, the Notch Trail in eastern Badlands National Park features a fun slot and ladder section and a sweeping southward view across the White River Valley to Interior, South Dakota. The ladder is sturdy but not for the faint of heart and should be approached with caution. Be careful also as there are pretty significant drop-offs along the route. All told, the 1.2-mile Notch Trail is one of the better short-distance walks in the park, a nice complement to the nearby Door Trail and Saddle Pass climb.

The hike

The Notch Trail begins from the same spot as the Door and Window Trails, a large parking area about two miles north of Ben Reifel Visitor Center in Badlands National Park. Look for the dusty track leaving from the south end of the lot and gently coursing alongside a drainage before entering the towering badlands. The path soon rises and drops into a second wash, surrounded by grassy pasture. By now you are firmly away from the road.

Follow the stakes providing passage up the drainage, then, just as the canyon narrows significantly, look up to the right: this is the famed log ladder, a mildly-challenging ascent to clear a chalky wall. Take your time on the slightly-wobbling rungs, then enjoy the more expansive views from the top of the ridge.

Here the Notch Trail courses left, rounding south and east further into the badlands and skirting the canyon. Traverse a shelf along the canyon rim, then be careful at a spot where cliff erosion forces hikers to climb up and over a knob off to the right to avoid a ledge with sketchy exposure.

Follow the black-and-white posts as the canyon whimpers off, and the trail eventually descends to the drainage again. The gentle route leads into right-hand curve, then a final ascent to the namesake notch in Millard Ridge. Here hikers can see south across the badlands and White River Valley to the visitor center, campground, and town of Interior. One can also see down to the juniper forest below, as well as the mild Cliff Shelf Nature Trail.

When ready, return the way you came, back down the log ladder and north to the trailhead.