Hiking the Badlands with Kids: Trails and Tips

If you love hiking, you will love hiking the Badlands. If you don’t love hiking, you will love hiking the Badlands. It is impossible not to marvel at the expansive views and rock formations that make up Badlands National Park. The best way to see the landscape is to go out and explore it. It is a wonderful place for kids to run, climb, and explore the different rocks and paths that carve their way through the Badlands. Read about our hikes and find tips for hiking the Badlands at the end of this post!

When we first started planning our first family RV trip, Badlands National Park was at the top of our list. We knew our first stop would be in Minnesota to visit grandparents and South Dakota was calling our name after. It was a long drive in the RV to our first camping spot in Buffalo Gap National Grassland at an amazing free camping place called “The Wall”. After watching the sunrise from there, we loaded up and drove across Badlands National Park to try and beat the heat.

Hiking the Badlands with Kids

We parked at the trailhead for 3 trails: Notch Trail, Door Trail, and Window Trail. The plan was to hike the Notch Trail (the longest) and then see how our kids were doing (5 and 2 at the time). Later, we also hiked the Fossil Exhibit Trail so I included that here.

Notch Trail

1.3 miles roundtrip

note: includes a ladder climb

(Want to see a video? Check out my I.G.T.V. for a full video or a quick glimpse in this reel on Instagram.)

I was aware of the ladder climb going into this hike (and yes, I still choose to wear a hiking dress). After hours of watching my kids climb up and down ladders, I knew they could handle it. The Notch Trail starts with a short walk through a canyon that the kids absolutely loved. They climbed rocks and ran around finding “their own” paths and meeting up on the other side.

Before long, you will see the 50-foot ladder made from steel rope and wooden steps.

It starts easy and gets a little more wobbly at the top. Both kids charged up to the top all by themselves, with dad waiting at the top to help them up and me bringing up the rear in case anyone needed help (they didn’t). They were so proud of themselves at the top, and we were proud of them too. I’ll admit though, it was at this moment as I was looking down from the top that I started to regret not bringing a carrier.

We pushed on, to the encouragement of the boys.

They wanted to explore and we continued the hike along a steep ledge (carefully), up and over areas to avoid the narrowest sections.

It was around here that our 2-year-old decided he had enough. The trail had gotten more interesting, but it had gotten hotter and he was reaching his limit so we decided to turn around.

When we reached the top of the ladder again, my husband and 5-year-old went down. My youngest took one look and got nervous.

We started slowly, but it was too much at that point. I was really wishing I had the carrier now! By remaining calm and patient, I showed him the confidence he needed to see to feel safe.

Watch the full climb down in this I.G.T.V. video on Instagram!

Once we were down he was all smiles again. We went back to the trailhead and decided to explore around a little.

That’s when we found our next trail, that was really more of a stroll but perfect for hiking the Badlands with kids.

Window Trail

0.2 miles roundtrip

note: perfect for people with mobility issues, stroller-friendly

We kind of just stumbled on this without realizing it. There is a short boardwalk that leads to a “window” gap in the Badlands Wall that gives you a wonderful view.

This was where we had to call it. The little guy was cooked and he needed a break. Next time, we will have to return to check out the Door Trail

Door Trail

0.8 miles roundtrip

After the trip, I realized that the area we were looking at through the window was the area of the Door Trail. This trail takes you behind the Badlands Wall for a unique perspective. The trail is roughly marked with short yellow poles that you can follow until you find the “end of trail” sign.

Fossil Exhibit Trail

0.4 miles roundtrip

note: accessible and stroller-friendly, educational

We didn’t plan on this hike but added it on as we drove around to various lookouts throughout the Badlands National Park. It is a short boardwalk through the rock formations that has information boards lining it to teach about the local geology and replica fossils. It was perfect for the kids and fun to learn more about the park.

Tips for Hiking the Badlands with Kids

Start early

Not only does it get hot quick, but the parking lot was also filling up at just an hour after sunrise. These are popular trails.

The heat is real

The day we were hiking was supposed to break 100 degrees. By 9 am, it was already in the mid-’80s. I underestimated how much it would suck out of us being out in the exposed heat of the Badlands.

Pack plenty of water

The hikes might be short, but the 1.3 miles of the Notch Trail often takes people 1.5-2 hours. That entire time the sun is beating on you. Did I mention that it is hot? If you don’t have water, you will not have a good time.

Extra snacks

Again, it might seem like a short hike, but that heat again. It sucks your energy and so extra snacks are a must to fuel you through.

Don’t live behind the camera

It is beautiful. I was very tempted to just hide behind the lens and snap away. Don’t forget to put it down while hiking the Badlands with kids and truly engage with them. Memories are being formed that a camera can’t capture.

Have fun but respect the landscape

Running around and climbing is half of hiking the Badlands with kids. While it is important to have fun, this is an unforgiving landscape and it is important to be respectful and practice the principles of Leave No Trace.

DON’T FORGET THE CARRIER

Just bring it. Just in case. You’ll regret it if you need it and don’t have it. I know I did!

What to do in the case of a mini melt-down hiking the Badlands with Kids:

We had one, climbing down the ladder on the notch trail. My 2-year-old got scared and just froze. He wouldn’t touch the ladder so it was up to me to get him (and myself) down safely. I thought it took 10 minutes but the video my husband took was less than 2. We made it down to the cheers of onlookers!

How did I manage?

My physical training gave me the muscles I needed to motivate the situation. I trusted my body to be strong.
Remaining calm is key. If I get nervous, he will feed off that energy.
Be patient. It isn’t a race and taking your time is important. If a little one is struggling, it is better (and safer) to take a rest to calm them than it is to rush down.
Remember to seem confident, even if you don’t feel it. When you are confident, THEY FEEL SAFE and that is the most important thing.