Backpacking In The Badlands Wilderness
Backpackers may camp anywhere in the park that is at least one-half mile from any road or trail and not visible from park roads. We started at the Castle Trail across from the Notch Trail and hiked in from that way. Plenty of parking for your vehicle, and the trail is pretty flat and easy. We found a cool spot and spent the night. It was amazing. No one around us, the sky was full of stars, and we heard coyotes howling all night. We were blessed with a pretty sunset, and an amazing sunrise. Once we had set up, we went out and hiked some more and explored the area.
We are ready - I had worked all day till 2 pm, drove from Rapid City - about 1.5 hours, and then we were off. Within 2 hours of being off work, we were backpacking the Castle Trail.
Watch out for these guys.
Pretty flat hike.
Different choices.
Ran into these guys - they were very cautious of us.
Beautiful flowers along the trail.
More choices.
More sheep in back.
One of our spots one night.
All set up for the night - time to hike and explore.
Another spot with family one night.
Can see the lights from the town of Interior, South Dakota below. Also heard the coyotes howling all night.
Pretty sunset.
Gorgeous sunrise.
Time to go home.