Badlands: Cliff Shelf Nature Trail

Cliff Shelf Nature Trail

Badlands National Park is a unique park located in South Dakota. The park is a “Hike Anywhere” park, which allows visitors to find their own paths. However, that feels a little weird to me as someone who has been trained to stick to the trials. For those of us more comfortable on trails, there are definitely some designed trails at the park to enjoy. The first one I spotted was the Cliff Shelf Nature Trail.

The Cliff Shelf Nature trail is a perfect way to get a feel for the Badlands. It gives the first big views of the park and allows to gauge how intense the heat and terrain will be for your day. Cliff Shelf is also very accessible and allows for more people to enjoy the hike. Here is a bit more about my time on the Cliff Shelf Nature trail.

The Hike

I wouldn’t call the Cliff Shelf Nature trail a hike but more of a nature walk. Definitely an easier option to see some of the cool rock formations that make up the Badlands. A majority of the hike is also on a wooded path, which makes it easier to enjoy the views than to focus on your footwork.

The looping path takes you through some tall rock before circling back to very close to the ridgeline. There is a small section in some trees but for the most part, it is very exposed so make sure to keep aware of the weather. The upper section of the path also gets you nice and close to the giant ridgeline and gives really nice views of the rock.

While being up close to the rocks was nice, my favorite part of this three quarter mile park was the bigger views. I really liked seeing where the plains met the rocks that make up the Badlands and how different the two landscapes really are.

Accessiblity

One of the best parts of the Cliff Shelf Nature trail is how accessible it is for those who may be in wheelchairs or have mobility issues. The bottom portion of the trail is a dedicated path that leads to its own overlook. While the upper portion probably won’t work for all, the lower section of the trail still gives amazing views. There is also a ramp to get up to the trialhead which should allow for even more people to enjoy this trail.

The Views

The Cliff Shelf Nature hike is a great way to start your visit to the Badlands. While it might not be the best views of the park, it really gives a wonderful preview of what the rest of the park is going to have in store. The rock ridges and cliffs stand tall against the high skies of the South Dakota plains. There are some trees and vegetation on this hike as well which isn’t always around some of the other hikes.

It is just a great way to see some of the wonders of the hike before having to exert yourself too much. Plus, because it is a shorter hike, the hike to view ratio is very high. Always a good thing when you are exploring the area with families or others who may not be into hiking but love nature.

Video of the Cliff Shelf Nature Trail Hike

I have put this time-lapse video together of the Cliff Shelf Nature Trail hike so other hikers can get a feel of what the hike is like. If you enjoy this video make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel. It is free to subscribe and you will get the latest outdoor content.

Distance and Elevation

If you don’t have the AllTrails app you might want to check it out, I really love mine. It records your progress and is a great way to search for hikes that are nearby and gives you difficulty measurements. According to AllTrails today’s hike was around 0.73 miles and had a total elevation gain of about 82 feet including undulations. That put the high point at around 2693 feet. I was also moving for a total 19 minute.

I am a Pro member of AllTrails and love it. If you are interested in the platform, please consider using my affiliate link for AllTrails. It gives me a small commission with no extra cost to you.

Effort

The Cliff Shelf Nature Trail is an easy trail that should be available to most skill levels. It is a short hike with good views and not too much elevation. The elevation that is there is on a wooden deck and isn’t essential to see the best views if you are just looking for a quick and easy way to start the park.

Terrain

A majority of the Cliff Shelter Nature Trail is on a paved or wooden deck allowing for the lower section of the trail to be accessible to those with mobility issues. There is also a ramp to get to the trailhead from the parking lot. You shouldn’t have any problems with footing and any good walking shoes should be find.

Access to the Cliff Shelf Nature Trail

The Cliff Shelf Nature Trail is found within Badlands National Park. It is the first designed trail after the welcome center coming in from the Interior side of the park. There is an entrance fee for the park or you can use an annual parks pass. Check here for more information on park fees.

Wrapping up the Cliff Shelf Nature Trail

The Cliff Shelf Nature trail was a great way to kick off my first visit to the Badlands since I was a small child. I didn’t remember much about the park so this hike was perfect to get me back into it. The hike is easy, not even a mile long, but also very beautiful. I think most people should be able to enjoy at least part of the hike with all of the paths that are built.

If you can only hike one hike in the park, you may want to try something else but if you have a full day at the park, this is a great way to kick off your journey.

I have added this hike and all of my hikes to the interactive map page you can find here. If you have any suggestions for hikes or comments feel free to email me at fatmanlittletrails@gmail.com or you can follow me on any of the below social media platforms. Happy Hiking!

Gallery of the Cliff Shelf Nature Trail