• Badlands formations against the blue sky; photo by Rikk Flohr

    Badlands

    National Park South Dakota

For Kids

Ranger signs a child's Junior Ranger certificate

A child gets his certificate signed by a friendly park ranger.

Sara Feldt - NPS Photo

Become a Junior Ranger

What is a Junior Ranger? Good question! Junior Rangers are special kids of all ages just like you - adventurers, explorers, and nature and history lovers. They have made a special promise to help take care of national parks and all the plants and animals that live there. Junior Rangers teach others by sharing all they learn with their friends and family. You too can set a shining example and inspire others to take care of Badlands' natural and cultural wonders by becoming a Badlands Junior Ranger.

 
Cliff Shelf Nature Trail boardwalk

Enjoy a hike down the Cliff Shelf Nature Trail.

Sara Feldt - NPS Photo

Take a Hike

No trip to the Badlands is complete without a hiking adventure. Kids agree that the Fossil Exhibit Trail and the Cliff Shelf Nature Trail are two of their favorites.

 
Rachelles Fossil Talk

Children listen attentively to a ranger's fossil program.

Sara Feldt - NPS Photo

Enjoy Park Fun

The Badlands' environment changes constantly. Erosion carves the rocks into bizarre formations that look like landscapes from another planet. A heavy rain can uncover fossils that have been hidden for millions of years. Visit 'Park Fun' to learn more about this incredible world of rocks and fossils.

  • Become a WebRanger Become a WebRanger

    Online activities for kids of all ages Read More

  • Views of the National Parks Views of the National Parks

    This multimedia education program presents stories of the wonders of the national parks. Read More

  • Visit the park's visitor centers Visit the park's visitor centers

    Enjoy interactive exhibits and media at the park's visitor centers. Read More

Did You Know?

Sandstone caprock balanced atop eroding sediments, an example of a toadstool or hoodoo

The badlands are some of the fastest eroding landscapes on earth with erosion rates averaging 1” per year in their fragile layers. However, in areas where sandstone is found, the erosion rate may be 1” in 500 years. Often, toadstools form when surrounding sediments erode beneath a sandstone caprock.