Little Family Adventure

Active Family Travel and Lifestyle Website

Badlands NP view

Discovering the Badlands with Teens: Ultimate Family Travel Guide

The Badlands National Park in North Dakota is an enriching and exciting spot for a family adventure. It’s one of those areas that is breathtaking in its almost otherworldly landscape. The Badlands boast awesome stone structures that were carved by the elements over time as well as fossils that demonstrate the variety of life on our planet over hundreds of millions of years. Not to mention that there are great opportunities for camping, hiking, cycling, and wildlife viewing among other activities.

As with any family adventure, though, it’s important to gather a little knowledge beforehand. We’ve put together this Badlands travel guide with some of the elements you should consider, so you can effectively prepare for and make the most of your trip to this North Dakota national park.

This article contains affiliate links. We earn from qualifying purchases.

blankblank

woman standing in front of rock formations
Me on my first trip to Badlands NP in South Dakota

Planning and Prioritizing

The key to any great family Badlands adventure is solid planning and prioritizing. A little forethought here lets you give yourself and your family a positive and less stressful trip.

Where is Badlands National Park?

Badlands National Park is located in southwestern South Dakota and covers over 240,000 acres of unique geological formations, mixed-grass prairie, and abundant wildlife. It’s about an hour and twenty-minute drive east from Rapid City, an hour and a half east from Mount Rushmore,  or just under a two-hour drive west from Pierre, the capital city.

Closest Airport to Badlands NP

The closest major airport to Badlands National Park is Rapid City Regional Airport, located about an hour and a half drive from the park. You can also fly into Pierre Regional Airport, but it’s a longer drive of about two hours. If you’re flying in from further away, the nearest major airports are Denver International Airport and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. But these are several hours away.

Overlook at Badlands National park
Overlook on Sage Creek Rim Road

When to Visit

Badlands National Park is open year-round, but each season offers a different experience. Summer months (June-August) tend to be the busiest with warmer temperatures and wildflower blooms. Spring (April-May) brings mild weather and newborn wildlife sightings. Visiting in spring or fall to avoid the huge crowds that turn out for the hot summer months.

During the fall (September-October) offers cooler temperatures and changing colors. Winter (November-March) can be cold and snowy, but also quiet and peaceful for those seeking solitude.

The Weather

The Badlands feature some extreme climate conditions. In the summer, you might experience 100-degree days, while winter brings 12 to 24 inches of snowfall. It’s important to bear this in mind as it can certainly affect your decision-making. 

travel guide for family travel to Badlands National Park

Where to Stay

For those looking for a more rustic experience, there are two campgrounds within the park open year-round. Cedar Pass Campground provides 96 level campsites and Sage Creek Campground offers 22 sites. 

If you want to go camping offsite, Badlands/White River KOA Holiday is a nearby option with amenities such as laundry facilities, a swimming pool, mini-golf, family cabins, and more. 

If camping isn’t your thing, there are also lodging options just outside of the park in the nearby town of Wall or Rapid City. From quaint bed and breakfasts to modern hotels, you’re sure to find accommodation that suits your needs including indoor water parks at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Rapid City

Things to Do in the Badlands NP

The Badlands has no shortage of adventuring activities at any time of the year. You can bike the designated dirt roads, hike the boardwalk through the juniper grove to the Badlands wall, and even hunt for fossils.  The park also offers ranger-led programs and guided hikes for those looking to learn more about the area.

Bison herd in Badlands NP
Bison herd in Badlands NP

For those seeking a more laid-back experience, there are scenic drives throughout the park that provide stunning views of the unique landscape. The Badlands Loop Road is a must-see, offering 31 miles of breathtaking views and opportunities for wildlife sightings. Here you will often see bison, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep roaming the prairies.

The Sage Creek Road gives you plenty of opportunities to take in the rugged beauty of this national park. One of my favorite stops is Roberts Prairie Dog Town, where you can catch a glimpse of these furry critters in their natural habitat.

Roberts Prairie Dog Town
Roberts Prairie Dog Town

Just down the road from the prairie dogs is the Badlands Wilderness Overlook. This overlook offers a panoramic view of the Badlands and is a prime spot for stargazing at night. The park is also home to some of the darkest skies in the country, making it an ideal location for astronomy enthusiasts.

If you’re interested in learning about the history and culture of the area, there are several educational opportunities as well. The Ben Reifel Visitor Center offers exhibits and information about the park’s geology, paleontology, and cultural history. You can also visit the Fossil Prep Lab to see scientists at work uncovering fossils found within the

Badlands National park
Badlands National park overlook area

But no visit to the Badlands would be complete without experiencing some of its iconic landmarks. Take a stroll along the 0.5-mile loop Cliff Shelf Nature Trail and marvel at the rock wall formations and juniper forests. Or hike up to Saddle Pass for panoramic views of the park.

Yet, few families can spend weeks on vacation, so you’ll need to prioritize what your family wants to do during the time you have available. 

Research the average times each activity takes and consider how your family’s unique needs or challenges might affect this. You don’t need to create a strict schedule, which is one of the common mistakes people make when traveling with kids. Nevertheless, understanding what you’re likely to be able to fit into each day in the Badlands avoids a lot of the stress and disappointment.

The Best Entrance to Badlands National Park

The Badlands National Park is huge — around 244,000 acres — and, therefore, has various ways to enter. Certainly, you can make a choice that fits your journey. For instance, if you’re flying into South Dakota’s Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP), the North Unit entrance is only about an hour’s drive. That said, this is also the busiest entrance to the park, as it’s host to many of the popular spots, such as Pinnacles Overlook and the fossil preparation lab.

For a more relaxed entrance, it can be worth considering the South Unit, though there are fewer activities available here. If you’re arriving in the evening, taking the South Unit entrance can be a good option so you can have a relaxing evening and head to your activities the next day.

Wall drug jackalope
Wall drug jackalope photo opp

Road Side Attraction – Wall Drug

If you’re making the drive from the East, be sure to stop at Wall Drug for a fun roadside attraction. This quirky store offers everything from free ice water to souvenirs and jackalope photo opps. It’s a popular rest stop for tourists and a great place to stretch your legs before continuing on your journey.

Gathering Your Travel Gear

A real Badlands family adventure isn’t something you can do without at least a little dedicated gear. There are stores around the area where you can get the items you need if necessary. Nevertheless, thinking about what activities you want to do and purchasing or packing ahead of time is likely to be more budget-friendly.

Some of the activity gear to consider include: 

  • Suitable clothing: it’s important to pack clothing that is suitable for both the activities you’ll be doing and the weather you expect during your stay in the Badlands. This includes not just main articles, but also accessories such as hats to shelter you from the summer heat. Remember that while the summer months may well get up to 100 degrees in the daytime, the nights are likely to still be cold. This is a particularly important consideration if you’re camping out.  It’s also wise to bring spare clothing to change into in case you get caught in an unexpected downpour or clothing gets dirty during outdoor activities. 
  • Bikes: There are a lot of great opportunities to cycle on your family adventure, including the 23-mile Sage Creek Loop and the 17-mile Northeast Loop. There are places to rent bikes. However, if your family is bringing their own, make sure these are suitable for rough terrain. Wherever possible, opt for mountain bikes. Take the time to inspect these before you leave and each day of your trip, including the condition of the tires and brakes.
  • Skis and snowshoes: If your adventure takes place in the winter, bringing skis and snowshoes with you can be useful. Snowshoes are particularly sensible if you want to hike the trails during the colder months. For the most part, skiing in the Badlands is geared toward cross-country, so you’ll need to bring the relevant skis and boots. That said, if you only have downhill skiing gear, the Black Hills are just around 70 miles away.
  • Car racks and boxes: If you’re bringing a lot of gear on your adventure — not just bikes or skis, but also tents and luggage — you’ll need a place to keep these on your journey. Choosing appropriate bike racks, cargo boxes, and ski racks can be a good solution. If you have a roof rack, a hard shell cargo box can be a great way to both free up space inside your vehicle and keep your gear away from exhaust fumes. For hatchback cars or trucks with a bed lid, you can also use a mount to transport your bikes, skis, and other equipment on the rear of your car. If you’re choosing this option, it’s safer to avoid overloading so you minimize obstructions to your rear view.

This is, of course, far from all the gear that can be useful for a Badlands adventure. Your options will usually depend on the types of activity you want to do and the landscapes you’ll visit. If you’re uncertain, local activity operators or even the Badlands visitor centers can be great sources of advice.

Documenting Your Adventure

There will be some amazing outdoor activities on your family Badlands adventure. However, it’s also fun to incorporate ways to capture memories of your visit as well as exercise your family’s creative muscles.

Journaling and scrapbooks

Getting each member of the family a small journal or scrapbook can be a great way to document your adventure. This can be a family activity you do each evening, writing down your experiences of the day and even sharing what one another has written afterward. You could also stop at points in your Badlands adventure to make sketches of the environments you’re visiting or comics of the activities you participated in. 

There are also ample opportunities to gather postcards and other small souvenirs to stick into journals and scrapbooks. You kids can also earn a Badlands Junior Ranger badge to stick in their books. This program involves completing the fun activities in the Junior Park Ranger book and they can even attend a guided Ranger program in the summer. Not only will they get a cool souvenir to remember their adventure with, but they’ll also have a better understanding of the importance of preserving the Badlands.

nature landscape of Badlands National park
nature landscape of Badlands National park

Video collages

Particularly if multiple members of your family have access to a smartphone, capturing various video clips of your journey can be a fun way to document your adventure. Perhaps give each child responsibility for videographing different elements of the trip, such as your entry into the Badlands or your first glimpse of the pronghorn on the Castle trail. You can then collaborate on stitching clips together to make video collages. Consider using simple editing software on your laptop or phone to choose clips that tell a story about your adventure. Incorporating effects and music that suit the mood can also add an element of fun for your family. You could export these to share with friends on your social media channels or simply save them so you can privately revisit them later.

Acting Responsibly

Yes, the Badlands National Park offers fantastic opportunities for family adventures. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t also responsibilities for would-be adventurers. Taking a little time to talk to your family about this before your trip helps you have a positive vacation, alongside keeping the Badlands safe and healthy.

Some of the ways your family can be responsible in the Badlands include:

  • Don’t climb on buttes unless these are designated for activities. Climbing can contribute to erosion.
  • Be sure not to take away any fossils, plants, rocks, feathers, or flowers. If you do find a fossil, you can help with preservation by taking a photo, noting the GPS location, and filling in a visitor site report form at the visitor’s center.
  • Do not enter archaeological sites without express permission. This can disturb the investigation and preservation work.
  • Avoid disturbing the wildlife. You’re likely to see some great wildlife in the Badlands, from bison to bobcats. Remember to keep at least 100 feet away from them at all times to avoid disturbing them and to keep your family safe.

There may also be specific rules related to certain activities or areas of the National Park. Make certain to review these ahead of time and ensure both you and every member of your family understand them before setting off on your adventure.

Wrapping Up

With a little preparation, your family adventure into the Badlands of North Dakota can be memorable in the most positive ways. Mostly, this involves discussing the trip with your family and finding ways to keep everybody safe and stimulated throughout your vacation. Remember to leave a little extra room for spontaneous discovery, though. As long as you have a responsible mindset, your family can uncover stories to tell for years to come about their Badlands adventure.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Don’t forget to invite your friends to our Facebook groups! We would also love to see your vacation pictures!

blank

About Nicky Omohundro

Nicky Omohundro is a travel and active family lifestyle blogger and social media influencer based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She shares stories, destinations, and ideas on food, family, health, and outdoor recreation to help families find their own adventures. Her spirit animal is a caffeinated squirrel fueled by coffee, real food, and the desire to seek new adventures.

Reader Interactions

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *