Hiking the Door Trail in Badlands National Park
Distance: 1.0 miles / 1.6 km
The Door Trail in Badlands National Park is an easy, out-and-back day hike that leads hikers through a natural 'door' at the beginning of the trail, where it then leaves the easy boardwalk behind to follow a series of trail markers out to a panoramic viewpoint above a sea of seemingly never-ending Badland formations!
It is for this reason that I often think the Door Trail is one of the best effort-to-reward adventures in Badlands National Park!
On top of this, the beautiful viewpoint at the end of the trail is the best place in Badlands National Park to catch the sunrise, given the east-facing viewpoint at the end and the short 0.5-mile (0.8 km) one-way distance to get there.
Door Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Door Trail is located in a large, paved parking lot that not only serves the Door Trailhead but also the Notch Trail, the Window Trail, and the Castle Trail.
For this reason, this parking lot near Cedar Pass is the largest in Badlands National Park, as it is the busiest joint trailhead in the park.
Google Maps Directions: Door Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Badlands
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Badlands National Park.
Hiking the Door Trail
The Door Trail begins at the far northern end of the parking lot from the Notch Trail, where it follows an easy, well-maintained boardwalk for the first 0.2 miles (0.3 km) to the first overlook.
The Door
This is the 'Door' on the Door Trail, as it opens to an expansive landscape of eroded Badlands on the other side!
At this split, go left for the Door Overlook, or go right to continue hiking the Door Trail, leaving the maintained boardwalk behind.
Door Overlook
The Door Overlook is the easiest and closest viewpoint on the Door Trail.
That said, the Door Trail beyond the boardwalk is not difficult in terms of terrain by any means, but I can’t say the same about the weather if you happen to be hiking during the heat of the day during the hottest summer months.
However, if this is the season you plan to visit, I again highly recommend hiking the Door Trail for sunrise, as the hot summer weather is nothing to take lightly in Badlands National Park.
After the overlook, the Door Trail leaves the boardwalk behind and begins the actual trail out to a panoramic overlook, a little more than 0.3 miles (0.5 km) away.
To stay on the Door Trail, follow the trail markers scattered throughout.
That said, the markers are sometimes placed in inconspicuous locations among the formations, but if you ever have difficulty finding where to hike next, I recommend stopping at the last known marker to look for the next, as it may be a location where the Door Trail makes a not-so-obvious turn.
This is the first place where the Door Trail makes a not-so-obvious turn to the right.
The one thing I hope these photos show more than anything else is that there is very little shade on the Door Trail, which is true for just about every day hike in Badlands National Park.
This is why I highly recommend traveling to the park with a hooded sun shirt, which will certainly be useful on other adventures within the Badlands, as well as those within the Black Hills and Wind Cave National Park.
This is the second place the Door Trail makes another abrupt turn to the right.
At this ledge, go straight to climb up it, and the next trail marker will be found a short distance ahead.
As the Door Trail passes through this gap, the 'End of Trail' sign should start to become visible in the distance for the first time!
End of the Trail
This is the end of the Door Trail.
However, this does not mean this is where hikers are required to turn around, as Badlands National Park has an open-hiking policy, essentially meaning it’s completely legal to hike anywhere within the park boundary that you are physically capable of exploring.
That said, the end of the Door Trail has a number of steep ravines on all sides, which is why I can’t say that continuing farther would be easy, nor would I recommend it during the hot summer months.
If you are looking for better places to explore off-trail, I recommend checking out the Deer Haven Trailhead, closer to the Pinnacles Entrance Station, or the Saddle Pass Trail just down the road.
This beautiful, southeast-facing overlook is one of the best places to catch sunrise in Badlands National Park, not to mention you are likely to be the only group here, given the popularity of a number of amazing drive-up overlooks that are also incredible places to catch the sunrise!
If this something you’re considering, be sure to pack a headlamp for such an adventure, as following the sporadic trail markers will be tricky before the sun comes up!
