Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Badlands National Park with Kids
Visiting Badlands National Park with Kids: Tips, What to Expect & Best Family Hikes
If you're planning a family road trip through South Dakota, Badlands National Park is one stop you won't want to miss. The dramatic rock formations, colorful layered cliffs, wide-open prairies, and chances to spot wildlife make it feel like you're exploring another planet.
Our family of six planned an epic road trip exploring South Dakota. When visiting with our kids, we quickly realized that a little preparation goes a long way. The park is beautiful, but it can also be hot, dry, and exposed to the sun. Here are our best tips to help you have a fun and memorable visit.
Scenic Overlooks are great spots for pictures
Is Badlands National Park Worth Visiting with Kids?
Absolutely! Kids love climbing over the rugged rock formations, searching for prairie dogs, spotting bighorn sheep, and taking in the incredible views. Many of the most popular overlooks are just a short walk from the parking lot, making it easy to enjoy even if you're traveling with younger children.
Amount of Time:
Plan to spend anywhere from half a day to a full day exploring the scenic drive, overlooks, short hikes, and visitor center.
Entrance Fee
Badlands National Park charges an entrance fee per vehicle. Standard Pass Price: $15.00-$30.00
Boardwalk along Door Trail
Several Ways to save:
Every Kid Outdoors Pass: If you have a child in 4th grade, they qualify for a FREE National Park pass through the Every Kid Outdoors program. This pass covers admission for everyone in your vehicle at participating national parks. Be sure to print or download your 4th grader's pass before your trip so you’re not having to sweet talk the desk staff at a hotel to print it for you like we did!
America the Beautiful Annual Pass: If you're visiting several national parks on one trip, the annual pass is a great value.
Best Family-Friendly Hikes in Badlands National Park
Door Trail (0.75 mile round trip)
This is one of the best hikes for families.
A boardwalk leads to an opening—or "door"—in the Badlands wall before the trail opens into a wide area where you can explore the rocky landscape. Kids love scrambling over the formations while adults enjoy incredible views.
Easily Access Trails from the Parking Lot
Window Trail (0.25 mile round trip)
A short boardwalk leads to a natural window overlooking the colorful canyon below.
Perfect for younger children or anyone looking for a quick stop.
Fossil Exhibit Trail (0.25 mile boardwalk)
This easy, accessible trail features educational signs about prehistoric animals that once lived here. It's a fun stop for kids who love dinosaurs and fossils. If you do find a fossil take a picture and inform a ranger.
Notch Trail (1.5 miles round trip)
This is one of the park's most popular hikes and includes the famous wooden ladder. Older kids who enjoy adventure usually love this hike. Keep in mind there are steep drop-offs, so it's best for families with children who are comfortable around heights.
Stop at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center
A great place to stop is the Visitor Center to enjoy cool air, a bathroom break, water refill, and interactive learning exhibits. While visiting, kids can earn a junior ranger badge and see how they excavate fossils found at the Badlands. While your exploring look out for fossils- if you find one you can help out by taking a picture and sharing it with a ranger while hiking at the park.
Wildlife at the Park
One of our favorite parts of visiting Badlands National Park was spotting wildlife. We saw bison, tons of prairie dogs, a badger eating a prairie dog (a real eye opener for the kids), bighorn sheep, and a burrowing owl, which are found on the ground.
Keep an eye out for:
Prairie dogs
Bison
Bighorn sheep
Mule deer
Pronghorn
Hawks, Burrowing Owls and other birds
The Prairie Dog Town is always a family favorite. Watching these funny little animals pop in and out of their burrows can entertain kids for quite a while. Remember to enjoy wildlife from a safe distance and never feed the animals.
Popular Stops You Won't Want to Miss
As you drive the Badlands Loop Road, be sure to stop at several overlooks. Get out of the car and bring binoculars. This is where we saw many of the wildlife. Each overlook offers a different perspective of the incredible landscape, and many require only a short walk from the parking area.
Family favorites include:
Big Badlands Overlook
Yellow Mounds Overlook
Panorama Point
Pinnacles Overlook
White River Valley Overlook
Roberts Prairie Dog Town
Ben Reifel Visitor Center
Best Time to Visit
The park is open year-round, but the most comfortable times to visit are:
Spring (April-May)
Early Summer (June)
Fall (September-October)
Summer offers long daylight hours but can become extremely hot, especially during the afternoon. Due to our school schedule we visited in June and had 75 degree weather.
Notch Trail Ladder Climb
Our Tip : Start your day early! Morning temperatures are cooler, wildlife is often more active, and you'll enjoy softer light for photos. Stop at the Visitor’s Center during the heat of the day to cool down and enjoy the interactive exhibits.
What to Wear
One thing to be prepared for is just how little shade there is throughout the park. Expect full sun during most of your visit. Even short walks can feel much warmer because of the sun reflecting off the light-colored rock formations. DON’T FORGET PLENTY OF WATER.
We recommend bringing:
Lightweight, breathable clothing
Comfortable tennis shoes or hiking boots
Binoculars for spotting wildlife
Wide-brim hats or baseball caps
Sunglasses
Plenty of sunscreen & Lip balm with SPF
Refillable water bottles
Tips for Visiting with Kids
Bring binoculars for wildlife spotting.
Visit early in the morning to avoid the hottest temperatures.
Pack plenty of snacks and water.
Wear sturdy shoes with good traction.
Keep children close near cliff edges.
Download maps ahead of time since cell service can be limited.
Allow plenty of time to stop at overlooks—there are many you'll want to explore!
Final Thoughts
Badlands South Dakota Door Trail
Badlands National Park is unlike anywhere else we've visited. The colorful rock formations, unique hiking trails, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking overlooks make it an unforgettable stop on any South Dakota road trip.
Whether you're hiking the Door Trail, climbing the famous ladder on Notch Trail, or simply watching prairie dogs from the roadside, this national park offers plenty of adventure for families of all ages. If you're traveling with kids, don't let the rugged landscape intimidate you. With a little planning, plenty of water, and good sun protection, your family can enjoy one of America's most unique national parks and make memories that will last a lifetime.
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