State: South Dakota
Location: Badlands National Park
Length, One-Way: 2.6 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Best Season: Spring, Fall
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Light
Wild Mustangs still roam the Black Hills
Trail Information
The Medicine Root Trail is an alternative loop that is accessible from the Saddle Pass Trail to the west and the Castle Trail to the east. While the Castle Trail leads through a stark and barren moonscape, the Medicine Root Trail passes through a relatively lush area of the Badlands. The Medicine Root Trail tends to be overgrown and can be difficult to navigate. The intersection of the Castle Trail and Medicine Root Trail does offer a steep butte that can provide shade at most times of the day and is a good dry place to rest. You should never hike the trail without equipment or a map. Getting disoriented on this trail is easy and if you get heading north you will be in a lot of trouble fast.
Directions
From Ben Reifel Visitor Center:
Take Badlands Loop Road about 2 miles northwest (left out of the visitor center) to the Saddle Pass parking area.
