When hiking, people are usually told to stay on the set trail network due to various risks. However, various national parks have an entirely different policy. One such example is Badlands National Park:
“Did you know that Badlands National Park has an open hike policy? This means that you actually don’t have to stay on the trail. We know…gasp! This might go against everything you as a good, responsible National Park visitor have been taught. One of the factors that makes open hiking okay in the Badlands is the naturally high rate of erosion. The formations erode an average of 1 inch per year, meaning that foot-traffic will not disproportionately accelerate the erosion. While the safety of the park itself is not a concern when exploring off-trail, your safety is!”
However, people should be wary of various risks when going off-trail. Running into wildlife is a significant risk, with bison and snakes being common. Badlands recommends keeping a 100-foot distance from wildlife. Relying on cell phones for GPS navigation isn’t wise, as coverage is poor in the Badlands. So, if you’re hiking off-piste, bring a map, compass, and GPS device. Climbing up the formations is relatively easy, but getting down them is more difficult. Other tips include bringing the proper footwear (hiking boots, not Crocs) and lots of water.
This isn’t the only US National Park that has an open-hike policy. According to Backpacker, other national parks with open hike policies include Cuyahoga Valley, Dinosaur, Lake Clark, Olympic, and Wind Cave.
Image/Video Credits: Max Vyölzse, Through My Lens, Badlands National Park
