Cliff Shelf Nature Trail is a 0.5 mi trail with 200 ft of climbing — about 15m of moving time before you stop for anything. Dogs are not allowed, and we rate it comfortable from age 5. About 15% of it is shaded, and no refill point is recorded on the route.
Underfoot & overhead boardwalk and stairs, climbs ~200 ft
0.5 mi and 200 ft of climbing work out to 15m of moving time — before you stop for anything. No refill is recorded on the route — you carry all of it. Informational only, not medical advice.
Get the summer refuel plan →NAISMITH · CDC · ACSM · how these numbers are worked out
In July, Badlands National Park runs around 92°F at the main visitor elevation, and this route gives you almost nothing to hide under. With no refill recorded on the route, everything you drink starts in your pack.
74°F · Areas Of Smoke then Mostly Sunny · wind 7 mph
NOAA forecast for Badlands National Park — not for this trailhead specificallyDo not rely on GPS digital navigation systems to find your way to Badlands National Park. Please note that the Visitor Center at 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior SD 57750 is located just off I-90.
Live NPS alert for Badlands National Park · sourceAbout 15m of moving time for 0.5 mi and 200 ft of climbing — that is Naismith's planning rule, so it counts walking only, with nothing for photos, lunch or the queue at the top.
Planning figures for that much moving time are 0.1–0.3 L, cool day to hot. No refill point is recorded on the route, so you carry all of it. Informational only, not medical advice.
No — Cliff Shelf Nature Trail is closed to dogs. Our Badlands National Park dog guide lists the trails where they are welcome, plus boarding and the nearest 24/7 vet.
We rate it comfortable from age 5. It is not a stroller route. That rating is our own hand-check of length, footing and exposure, not an official NPS grade.
About 15% of the route is shaded, and Badlands National Park peaks around 92°F in its hottest month. The less shade a route has, the more of it you want behind you before midday.