Cliff Shelf Nature Trail
A boardwalk loop built along a collapsed rock shelf; a rare juniper oasis in the badlands where birds and wildlife are often seen.
Cliff Shelf is a huge rock mass that slid down from the cliff face. It traps rainwater in the hollow below, forming a rare stand of Rocky Mountain juniper and small ponds that contrast sharply with the dry mounds around. The trail is about 800 m long, made of wooden boardwalk and steps, with some climbing. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes, and the top overlooks White River Valley. It lies about 1.5 km north of the visitor center. Birds are active early in the morning, and bighorn sheep and deer are occasionally seen. Watch for rattlesnakes in summer.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Window Trail
- Notch Trail
- Ben Reifel Visitor Center
- Door Trail
- Castle Trail
- Big Badlands Overlook
- Fossil Exhibit Trail
- White River Valley Overlook