Kid Tips

Babies: The Fossil Exhibit Trail is a stroller--friendly, .25-mile boardwalk loop that gives you an up-close look at some of the parks' fossils.

Toddlers & Pre-K: The Prairie Dog Village is endlessly fascinating for toddlers and preschoolers -- prairie dogs pop up, whistle, and disappear in every direction like a real-life whack-a-mole game.

School-Age Kids: At the visitor center, ask about the one-hour long Junior Ranger Programs that include hikes and hand-on activities. (They can also pick up the booklet and earn a badge on their own.) If your kids are into fossils, ask about the daily Fossil Talk, try the .25-mile easy boardwalk Fossil Exhibit Trail, or stop by the Big Pig Dig (Subhyracodon -- or hornless rhino -- fossils) for excavation in action. And of course, the Prairie Dog Village is immensely popular with school-age kids.

Pre-Teens & Teens: The .6-mile Door Trail is worth a stop for older kids -- the first 100 yards leading to a spectacular view at "the door" are easy, but the next mile or so is a fun scramble across the badlands formations, guided by yellow markers. (Keep an eye on the markers, it's easy to get disoriented.)

Planning Notes

• Bring sunscreen and plenty of water. Temperatures can exceed 100 degrees in the summer. Plan on a gallon of water per person; drinking water is only available at the Cedar Pass area, the White River Visitor Center, and the Pinnacles Ranger Station.
• Weather here can be unpredictable. Lightning storms, hailstorms, and heavy winds are also common in summer; winter brings blizzards and ice storms. Dress accordingly.
• Wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes. The ground is crumbly, and there are prickly pear cactus and rattlesnakes in the park.
• Be careful. Climbing the buttes and rock formations is allowed, but can be extremely dangerous due to loose, crumbly rock.
• Bring binoculars. You'll want to get a good look at the bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and coyote.

Just the Facts

Hours: Badlands National Park is open 24 hours a day, daily Ben Reifel Visitor Center is open: April 15 - June 2: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. June 3 - October 13: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. October 14 - April 2008: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Fees: Under $10

Recommended Time: Half-day

Reviews of The Badlands National Park

Badlands is a must see

By jloxtercamp June 17, 2008 | central minnesota

Babies

Toddlers & Pre-K

School-Age Kids

Pre-Teens & Teens

What we loved:
Beautiful

What we didn't love:
to hot

I would recommend seeing the Badlands with your older children. It was fun for my husband and 9 year old to run around and look at the views. My 4 year old and 2 year old liked it for the first 10 minutes but then fell asleep. It was 80 degrees there when we went and I though that was to hot for the baby so I stayed in the van with the 3 youngest. Adults and older children would love to spend time here. Check the forecast and bring lots of water with.Read More

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