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10 Absolute Must-Do Kid-Friendly Trails In Theodore Roosevelt National Park
You know those moments when your kids have energy levels rivaling a sugar-fueled tornado, and all you want is a little peace without resorting to another screen? Enter the great outdoors. And Theodore Roosevelt National Park is like a fun playground, but instead of swings, it’s got bison, buttes, and river overlooks.
Know what else it’s got? It’s got trails that won’t leave you questioning why you had kids as you chase after your tiny explorers. Think wide-open skies and paths perfect for little legs (and tired parents).
Bonus? Fresh air helps with those bedtime battles. So keep reading to find out which trails you should explore to burn off some pent-up energy with your family.
Boicourt Overlook Trail
This 0.8-mile jaunt is practically an apology from nature for all those grueling hikes we’ve endured in other parks. Perfect for the short-legged, the ambler, or simply those prioritizing the views over the sweat (it delivers sweeping views without making you feel like you’ve just climbed Everest).
Located in the South Unit, it’s a breezy stroll that shows off the spectacular Badlands landscape. And pack your smug face for when you’re effortlessly pointing at the horizon like a true explorer while others choose a harder trail that needs an oxygen break.
Wind Canyon Trail
Stretching a grand 0.5 miles, this trail feels more like a leisurely detour than “a hike.” But don’t be fooled, this path saves its big moment for the finale, leading you straight to an overlook of the Little Missouri River that is practically begging for a sunset.
The golden glow bouncing off the water during that time? It’s like nature’s version of mood lighting. Just try not to trip over your jaw when you see it, or the occasional prairie dog popping up like it’s photobombing.
Skyline Vista Trail
If you’re ready for a whopping 0.2-mile adventure, hold onto your hats (or at least pretend you packed one for the drama). This paved path isn’t here to test your limits; it’s here to give you bragging rights to Johnson’s Plateau with zero effort involved.
Once you’re at the top, take in the stunning landscape while smugly enjoying the paved luxury. It’s outdoor ambition optimized for the indoorsy crowd. Plus, it’s so short you won’t even hear the “are we there yet?”, because yes, yes you are.
Ridgeline Nature Trail
Clocking in at a “longer” 0.7 miles, this trail hands you a front-row seat to the grassland’s greatest hits. Wildlife? Check. Gorgeous, rolling ecology that makes you feel like you’re walking through a nature documentary? Absolutely.
The path has just the right amount of incline to make you feel accomplished without needing a nap afterward. Look closely, and you might spot prairie dogs, deer, wild horses, or even a bison giving you side-eye for invading their turf. Who doesn’t love a little attitude with their scenery?
Little Mo Nature Trail
This 1.1-mile path is what happens when serenity meets accessibility (the first half is paved). Perfectly gentle and ideal for anyone unwilling to admit they prefer flat terrain, this trail leads you straight to the river’s edge in the North Unit.
The sounds of running water, the rustling grass, maybe even the distant call of a bird. It’s like a therapy session disguised as a hike. Sure, it’s longer than some of the other routes here, but your legs will forgive you by the time you’re soaking in the view.
Caprock Coulee Loop Trail
This trail starts like a walk in the park (literally, ha) and then slyly morphs into a stairway to heaven (or, at least, a ridge climb). At 4.0 miles, it’s just long enough for your older kids to debate if this counts as “fun” while they scramble up the incline. FYI: Due to the moderate rating and longer distance, this one may be out of reach for those with smaller kids.
The reward? Incredible views of the rugged coulees carved by time and stubborn rivers. Oh, and also of the caprocks themselves. Those flat, tabletop-like stones are keeping erosion in check like nature’s paperweight.
Buck Hill Trail
For those ready to introduce their kids to the concept of “earning it,” Buck Hill delivers. It’s short at just 0.4 miles, but it’s steep. And it’s all worth it when you’re standing at the summit (or when your kids start claiming they’re “king of the mountain”).
The panoramic views will make you forget that your legs had complaints earlier. For the overachievers in the group, sunrise or sunset will throw some extra drama into the mix, bathing the park in light that feels like a reward for showing up.
Painted Canyon Nature Trail
Think of Painted Canyon Trail as a crash course in geology, except this class comes with breathtaking scenery instead of mind-numbing lectures. At 1.1 miles, it’s short enough to tempt you off Interstate 94, but packed with enough colorful rock formations to make you question why you haven’t taken up landscape painting yet.
Those vibrant badlands? They owe their looks to layers of sediment deposited over millions of years, and erosion has been hard at work showcasing them for your enjoyment. Watch your step on the way down, though. Losing your balance while gawking at the view is not the dramatic flair you’re aiming for.
Prairie Dog Town Via Buckhorn Trail
If you’re the sort of person who thinks they don’t need an entourage, this 1.9-mile route will prove you wrong. The local prairie dogs pop up like the nosiest neighbors you’ve never asked for, chirping and squeaking as if they’re hosting their own gossip club.
Located in the North Unit, this trail offers gentle terrain and guaranteed wildlife sightings (at least of the rodent variety). The rolling grasslands dotted with burrows have a charm of their own, and the antics of these furry comedians will keep you entertained. Who needs cable when you’ve got this?
Buckhorn Trail
Buckhorn Trail is an 11-mile gauntlet that seems to smirk and ask, “You sure you’re up for this, champ?” This North Unit beast isn’t exactly “small kid-friendly” (unless your toddler moonlights as a marathon runner), but it delivers big time.
Imagine sagebrush flats, prairie dog towns throwing the tiniest shade as you walk by, and canyons so deep and dramatic, you half-expect Clint Eastwood to come riding out of one. Every step crunching on dry grass feels like nature clapping for your perseverance, right until your legs start filing complaints around mile six. But those canyons? With their epic layers of Earth’s history on full display? They might just have you writing love sonnets to geology by the end.
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