Badlands National Park offers a treasure trove of family-friendly activities. With its diverse range of accessible outdoor interests, the park is an ideal destination for families seeking adventure amidst the red and sandstone landscape. From hiking, biking, and camping to horseback riding and incredible scenic drives, this national park has something for everyone.
The park is a short drive from the small town of Wall, SD- famous for the iconic Wall Drug Store. A fun tourist attraction for the family, we definitely recommend a stop if you have time. Situated in the rugged beauty of South Dakota’s southwest, see what makes this unique park worth a visit with your family:
Badlands Hikes & Trails
If you are visiting the Badlands during the summer months, arrive early in the morning. You’ll beat the heat and the crowds! Make sure to bring any necessary hot weather hiking gear (sun protection, plenty of water, etc.)
There are many trails to choose from in the park ranging from flat boardwalk trails to challenging trails that take you to more remote areas of the Badlands. We chose the Fossil Exhibit Trail and the Door Trail. Both are short, easy trails that are located on the Badlands Loop drive.
The Fossil Exhibit Trail
Recommended by the park rangers, the Fossil Exhibit Trail is an excellent hike for kids. It is a boardwalk trail with exhibits along the walk containing information about fossils found in the area. Badlands is a very off-trail friendly park and there are some pretty cool rock formations at this stop that kids were taking full advantage of their ‘rock scrambling’ skills.
The Door Trail
The Door Trail is great for kids, strollers, and wheelchairs. The trail starts out as a boardwalk- it is less than a mile long but still takes you through some of the iconic rock formations of the Badlands. If you are feeling adventurous, you can hike beyond the boardwalk onto more rugged terrain. And of course, the kids loved climbing and trekking on the rocks!
Badlands Loop Road Scenic Drive & Overlooks
In true national park fashion, there are plenty of overlooks and viewpoints along the scenic Badlands Loop Road (Hwy 240).
It was Super HOT on the day we visited so after hiking first thing in the morning, we took advantage of the Badlands Loop drive during the heat of the day.
Stop at the overlooks, take in the view, snap a few pictures, and then quickly jump back in the car to enjoy the a/c!
Make sure to stop by the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, it is about halfway through the Badlands Loop and is a great place to stop for restrooms and browse the exhibits to learn more about the park. There is also a bookstore located in the visitor center where you can shop for souvenirs and stamp your National Park Passport book.
Yellow Mounds Overlook
One of our favorite stops of the day was Yellow Mounds Overlook. This part of the park is a totally different landscape than that of the red and tan formations surrounding them.
The color contrasts and features make for a dramatic and picturesque viewpoint!
Pinnacles Overlook
The expansive views from Pinnacles Overlook are stunning any time of the day. We were told that it is also a fantastic setting for sunset pictures (as well as Conata Basin Overlook).
The parking area tends to fill up quickly for sunset viewing at both overlooks, so be sure to plan accordingly. Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay for sunset… maybe next time!
Wildlife in the Badlands
From American Bison, pronghorns and bighorn sheep to prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets, there are so many opportunities for wildlife viewing all over the park. Click here for the NPS page ‘Spotting Wildlife in the Badlands’
We saw prairie dogs on the way to Burns Basin Overlook and bison just as we were leaving through the Pinnacles Park Entrance. The prairie dogs are so cute and funny and we just loved watching them in their natural habitat.
More to do near Badlands National Park
About an hour drive from Badlands National Park are the Black Hills of South Dakota. We highly recommend a visit to this stunning area of western South Dakota. Check out our post to see the Top Things to Explore While Visiting The Black Hills.