Are you visiting the Badlands with your family, and hoping to find some kid-friendly hiking? You are going to the right national park! Some of the best hikes in the Badlands are kid and toddler friendly.
We visited the Badlands with our four year old and seven year old sons, and had two days full of amazing hikes and breathtaking views. Here is our list of the best hikes in the Badlands for families!
Best Hikes in the Badlands for Toddlers
Cliff Shelf Nature Trail
- Length: 0.5 mile Loop
- Location: First pull off when turning right (northeast) out of the Cedar Pass Lodge/Visitor Center
- Accessibility: First section is boardwalk accessible for wheelchairs/strollers
The Cliff Shelf Nature Trail is a 0.5 mile loop that features beautiful views of the Badlands Wall.
The first segment is a wheel-chair/stroller friendly boardwalk.
The second segment continues as boardwalk that is easy for toddlers and little kids to climb. There are stairs leading up 300 feet to a breathtaking view of the valley. At the top of the steps look up at the wall and you can see hikers at the trail end of Notch Trail.
The descent is gently sloped and goes through a juniper forest.
This is the best hike in the Badlands for toddlers. It is short and safe with boardwalks and handrails, but also provides breathtaking views of the park.
Fossil Exhibit Trail
- Length: 0.4 miles Out and Back
- Location: Badlands Loop Road Close to the Cedar Pass Lodge and Visitor Center
- Accessibility: Fully accessible for wheelchairs/strollers
The Fossil Exhibit Trail is a fully accessible boardwalk that takes you 0.4 miles out and back. The trail consists of exhibits along the way describing wildlife that used to live in the area.
Toddlers will love running along the boardwalk and touching the fossil replicas at each station. This trail is one of the best, easiest things to do in the Badlands with toddlers.
If you have one day in Badlands National Park, you can likely fit in most of these hikes. Read our One Day Badlands National Park Itinerary to learn more…
Window Trail
- Length: 0.3 miles Out and Back
- Location: At the large parking lot between the trailheads of Door Trail and Notch Trail
- Accessibility: Fully accessible for wheelchairs/strollers
Window Trail is a 0.3 mile in and out wooden boardwalk that leads you to one of the most incredible views in the Badlands. A window in the Badlands Wall overlooks the breathtaking valley below.
There are two benches where your toddler can enjoy some snacks while you take in the panoramic views. The access is stroller and wheelchair friendly, and perfect for families with little kids.
Best Hikes in the Badlands for Young Kids
Door Trail
- Length: 1 mile Out and Back
- Location: At the large parking lot between the trailheads of Door Trail and Notch Trail
- Accessibility: There is a boardwalk that leads out to some benches and a nice view, but the trail is not accessible beyond this.
If you are looking for an adventure with your little one, Door Trail is one of the best hikes in the Badlands. It is great for younger kids that are just getting into hiking.
This is a one mile round trip hike. It starts as a boardwalk, but then drops you in the center of the Badlands landscape. Trail markers are numbered, and take you on a maze through the crevices and formations of the area.
Kids can definitely do this hike. You will want to watch them carefully, as there are some unpredictable areas with steep declines, particularly at the end of the trail.
As long as you stay on the path, your family will have a ton of fun exploring this incredible landscape.
Castle Trail
- Length: 10 miles Out and Back, but easily modified to a shorter hike
- Location: Across the street from the Door and Notch Trail parking lot
- Accessibility: Not accessible for strollers or wheelchairs
This hike is definitely overlooked by families due to its length. However, the Castle Trail is a great hike for younger kids if modified.
While the length of the total trail is 10 miles out and back, we recommend making it a 2 mile hike, and walking one mile in and out from the trailhead.
This segment of the trail is really quite easy, and it provides several flat areas where kids can run without having to worry about the rocky ground below.
There is a little elevation to start, but it immediately opens up into a flat field with a breathtaking view. Little kids can safely run in the plains and lead the way, without much risk.
The second half mile takes you into the rock formations, and leads you into an incredible lunar landscape. You feel like you are more in Egypt than South Dakota, and kids will enjoy climbing the rocks here.
After this it opens up to another very flat area where kids again can run, with expansive views.
We think this is a great alternative to Notch Trail for younger kids.
Best Hikes in the Badlands for Older Kids
Notch Trail
- Length: 1.5 miles Out and Back
- Location: At the large parking lot between the trailheads of Door Trail and Notch Trail
- Accessibility: Not accessible for strollers or wheelchairs
Notch Trail is challenging, but worth it if you are a more adventurous family. It’s one of the most unique hikes in the Badlands. This 1.5 mile out and back hike features an iconic ladder that takes you up a cliff.
You must walk on a couple of steep ledges before you you end up in a valley surrounded by beautiful formations.
After this it is a gentler walk out to the “Notch.”
The trail ends at the “Notch” with a spectacular panoramic view out of the Badlands wall onto the surrounding plains.
We listed this hike for older kids. We actually did it with our 4 year old and our 7 year old. It’s doable, but you have to know your kids. It was absolutely their favorite hike of the trip, but it had us a little anxious at moments.
We hope you enjoy some adventurous hiking on your visit to Badlands National Park! If you are traveling with kids, be sure to check out our Family Guide to Visiting Badlands and if you only have one day to spend, check out our One Day Itinerary for Badlands National Park
See Our Other Family Hiking Posts:
- The Best Spearfish Canyon Hikes to Experience
- Plan an Amazing Glacier National Park Family Vacation
- The Hike Inn Trail: An Amazing Family Adventure
- The Best Waterfall Hikes near Asheville for Families in 2022
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