Explore 40 family-friendly activities in Badlands — filtered by age, scheduled around nap time, and ready to drop into your personalized itinerary.
0.75 miles round trip. Boardwalk leads to a 'door' opening in the rock wall with sweeping views of the badlands. Boardwa...
0.25 miles round trip on a fully paved and boardwalk path. Ends at a natural window framing a gorgeous badlands panorama...
1.5 miles round trip. Includes a log ladder climb and canyon scrambling. Not stroller accessible. Best for kids ages 7+ ...
0.25 miles round trip on a fully paved accessible boardwalk. Interpretive displays show fossil replicas of ancient anima...
0.5 miles loop. Boardwalk and gravel path through a surprising oasis of juniper trees perched atop a cliff. Not stroller...
0.3 miles round trip on the boardwalk portion only. Fully stroller and wheelchair accessible. Stunning views of the badl...
Fully accessible visitor center with exhibits on badlands geology, paleontology, and natural history. Touch-screen displ...
Pick up a free Junior Ranger booklet at Ben Reifel Visitor Center or White River Visitor Center. Kids ages 5-12 complete...
Approximately 39-mile loop drive (Hwy 240) through the heart of the park. Stop at numerous overlooks without leaving you...
Paved pullout with expansive panoramic views of the badlands formations. One of the best first views in the park. Fully ...
Multiple prairie dog towns visible from pullouts along Badlands Loop Road. Kids absolutely love watching prairie dogs po...
Over 1,200 bison roam the park. High chance of spotting them from your car along Badlands Loop Road. Stay at least 100 y...
Free ranger-led programs at Cedar Pass Campground amphitheater. Topics rotate and include geology, wildlife, paleontolog...
Badlands is an International Dark Sky Park with some of the darkest skies in the eastern US. Families can see the Milky ...
Ranger-led stargazing program offered seasonally at Cedar Pass. Rangers use laser pointers to identify constellations an...
Paved pullout with stunning views of colorful yellow, purple, and orange badlands mounds. Very short walk from parking. ...
Paved overlook near Pinnacles Entrance with dramatic spire views. Short flat walk to viewpoint. Stroller accessible at o...
The only full-service restaurant inside Badlands National Park. Serves American fare with local South Dakota specialties...
Approximately 23-mile unpaved dirt road through the remote Sage Creek Wilderness area. Highest density of bison in the p...
Located in the Stronghold Unit of the park on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Focuses on Lakota Sioux history and cul...
Paved pullout with wide views over the Conata Basin and mixed-grass prairie. Short, flat, and fully stroller accessible....
Bighorn sheep are commonly seen on the rocky slopes near Cedar Pass and along Badlands Loop Road. Look for them on cliff...
Pronghorn — the fastest land animal in North America — are abundant in the park's grasslands. Easily spotted from the ro...
4.0 miles one way (can be combined with Castle Trail). Traverses mixed-grass prairie with open views of the badlands wal...
Full trail is 10 miles round trip but families can do the first 1-2 miles out-and-back for a great experience. Flat pack...
Small paved pullout with views over an eroded basin. Very short walk from parking. Stroller accessible. Quiet and less c...
Allow kids to explore and touch the badlands rock formations at the Door Trail or Fossil Exhibit area. The soft sediment...
Ranger-led campfire program at Cedar Pass Campground. Topics vary and include wildlife, geology, and Lakota heritage. Gr...
Create or download a wildlife bingo card before your trip (NPS website has printable versions). Look for bison, pronghor...
The main campground in the park with 96 sites. Has flush toilets and coin-operated showers in summer. Great base for fam...
The badlands at sunrise are absolutely magical — formations glow orange, pink, and purple. Drive to Big Badlands Overloo...
Sunset over the badlands is world-class, painting the formations in vivid reds and oranges. Best viewing spots are Bigfo...
Ranger-led programs exploring the rich Lakota Sioux cultural history of the Badlands area. Learn about the Ghost Dance, ...
Short walk from parking area to one of the highest points in the park with 360-degree views of the badlands. Mostly flat...
Scan the sky for raptors — red-tailed hawks, ferruginous hawks, prairie falcons, and golden eagles are all regularly see...
Late April through June brings spectacular wildflower blooms to the badlands prairies. Prickly pear cactus, buffalo gras...
Short 0.4-mile loop trail (partially accessible) near Pinnacles area. Views of the mixed-grass prairie and farm/ranch la...
Special paleontology-focused activity program available through Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Kids learn about the fossils ...
Shaded picnic area near Ben Reifel Visitor Center and Cedar Pass Lodge. Tables, grills, and restrooms available. Stunnin...
Free 25-minute orientation film at Ben Reifel Visitor Center covering the geology, paleontology, wildlife, and cultural ...
Top family activities include Door Trail, Window Trail, Notch Trail, Fossil Exhibit Trail, Cliff Shelf Nature Trail. Toddler Trip curates age-appropriate activities and builds nap-aware itineraries for your family.
Yes! Many activities in Badlands are suitable for toddlers. Toddler Trip filters activities by your children's ages and schedules around nap time so everyone enjoys the trip.
Use Toddler Trip's free planner: enter your family profile, pick from AI-curated activities, and get a nap-aware day-by-day itinerary with a personalized packing list — all in about 5 minutes.