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Cliff Shelf Trail

Easy/Intermediate
 3.8 (19)
  1. Areas
  2. SD
  3. …Western S. Dakota
  4. Badlands National Park
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“A short loop trail winding through a juniper forest. ”

Tom Robson
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Map Key

0.6

Miles

0.9

KM

Point to Point

2,673' 815 m

High

2,611' 796 m

Low

79' 24 m

Up

63' 19 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

12%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Views · Wildlife

Family Friendly A short, easy loop trail with views of the surrounding badlands.

Please stay on the trail.

Description

This loop follows boardwalks and climbs stairs through a juniper forest perched along the Badlands Wall. After rains, a small pond occasionally exists and draws wildlife such as deer or bighorn sheep.

Flora & Fauna

After rains, when the ephemeral pond is present, you might encounter deer or bighorn sheep along this trail.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Badlands National Park

Shared By:

Tom Robson
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.8 from 19 votes

#8

in Badlands National Park

#7633

Overall
  3.8 from 19 votes
5 Star
21%
4 Star
53%
3 Star
16%
2 Star
11%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#8

in Badlands National Park

#27

in South Dakota

#7,633

Overall
5 Views Last Month
552 Since Mar 10, 2016
Easy/Intermediate
39%
0%
61%
0%
0%
0%
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Photos

The layers and textures of the Badlands
Nov 15, 2017 near Kadoka, SD
grass light square
Mar 26, 2020 near Kadoka, SD
along the white river
Mar 26, 2020 near Kadoka, SD
View from the Cliff Shelf Trail.
Mar 10, 2016 near Kadoka, SD

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Oct 2, 2022
Tyler salah
0.6mi
Jun 24, 2022
Alicia Stellmacher
Saw a deer in the brush along the trail. 0.6mi — 0h 25m
Apr 25, 2022
Jill Shaddy-Gouvion
0.6mi
Oct 20, 2021
Keri Chipman
Check
Oct 1, 2021
David Hitchcock
Great views of the White River Valley at Sunset. Informative signs along the way give you a better understanding of what you are seeing. 1.5mi
Aug 14, 2021
Rosie Betenbaugh
0.6mi — 1h 00m
May 13, 2021
Steven Boyer
May 8, 2021
Emilie Kitt
very nice boardwalk. lots of deer and wildlife to see. 0.6mi

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