This is one of the shortest walks in Badlands National Park, and it punches well above its weight. From the trailhead at the Door and Window parking area, a paved and boardwalk path leads you straight to the edge of the Badlands Wall, where erosion has carved a natural opening — the 'window' — framing a jaw-dropping view of a deeply sculpted canyon below. The trail is flat and direct, more of a stroll than a hike, but the final overlook is genuinely dramatic: layers of banded sediment dropping away into a maze of spires and gullies that look like they belong on another planet. There are no switchbacks, no scrambles, just a quick walk to one of the park's most photogenic viewpoints. Perfect for anyone short on time, traveling with small kids, or looking for a quick leg-stretch between longer drives through the park loop road.
The viewing area at the window has no railing — keep a firm grip on children and stay well back from the edge, as the drop into the eroded canyon is steep and the clay surface can be slippery when wet.
Trail Details
Distance0.2 miles round-trip
Difficultyeasy
Estimated TimeVaries
Trail Typeroundtrip
PetsNot allowed
SeasonYear-round
TrailheadWindow Trail
Pro Tips
Trail Tip
Pair this with the Door Trail and Notch Trail, which all share the same parking lot — you can knock out three distinct Badlands experiences in under two hours.
Trail Tip
Visit in the last hour before sunset when the canyon walls below the window light up in deep oranges and purples — the west-facing orientation makes this one of the best sunset viewpoints on the loop road.
Trail Tip
Bring a wider-angle lens or use your phone's panoramic mode at the window opening — the canyon view is expansive and a standard focal length won't capture the full drama of the drop-off.