Hiking in the badlands

[fly2cast]

I would like to take my kids hiking in the badlands next week. Does anybody have any suggestions for a nice scenic place to hike about 1 to 3 miles long?

 

[KDM]

Just about anywhere in the badlands is scenic. Most of the locations you can park a camper will have fair to midlin scenery without getting too treacherous as far as terrain. Teach the kiddos about rattlers, shale, and proper hydration and the trip should be memorable. Have Fun!!

 

[Allen]

Lots of short trails in Teddy Roosevelt South Unit.

Plenty of good hiking locations outside the park as well, but for a first time hike the kids might like the park.

 

[BrokenBackJack]

My bride and i were talking about " buzz worms " (rattle snakes) last time we were in the Black Hills. I said to her if i don't have my ears in (hearing aids) make sure to tell me if you hear a buzz worm as i wasn't sure if i could hear them without my ears or not. Well darn glad i said that to her as it wasn't 10 minutes later she grabs me and says don't you hear that? I didn't and then i asked her if it was a buzz worm. She said yes and it is loud! I couldn't hear a darn thing so i guess their frequency is something i can't hear without my hearing aids.
Might be a heads up for others as well with bad ears!

 

[svnmag]

Those damn things ain't scarce.

 

[fly2cast]

How not scarce are they? My kids would kind of freak out if we encounter any.

 

[svnmag]

Your experience may vary. They ain't scarce.

- - - Updated - - -

Conversely, they're not lying in wait to attack you.

 

[BrokenBackJack]

How not scarce are they? My kids would kind of freak out if we encounter any.

We have only seen a few in ND badlands while out hunting and riding around in all our years going there. Some years are worse than others but i wouldn't freak out over them. Just keep an ear and an eye out for them. They don't always buzz either. When they are shedding their skin and their eyes get glazed over they are probably at their worst. This was our first one seeing in the Black Hills also this year. They are out there but don't go worrying over it. Like everything else be aware of your surroundings. If it is hot they will usually be in the shade. Relax and carry a walking stick. Heck you could get run over by a buffalo before seeing a buzz worm!

 

[PrairieGhost]

I have killed about a half dozen rattlers in the Badlands. My nephew has been hit twice, but was wearing snake boots both times. Last time he was walking along a small ledge and he was hit within a half inch of his boot tops. I have been hunting by the Maad Daah Hey trail, but in many areas I will not walk in the trail. On the west side of the Little Missouri near the Elk Hornady Ranch I noticed the trail was worn nearly a foot deep. Walk in that and a snake will hit above the boots.

I have been bow hunting the Badlands since 1980, so I guess my average is one snake every six years. Years ago I covered five to ten miles a day. In that time I seen most on the road while driving.

 

[Ponyroper]

Go down to Sully Creek Campground a couple miles south of Medora and park in the parking lot then you can walk south up the big hill. There is a trail on the south side of the campground entrance road from the campground all the way up the butte. When you get to the top you will have an amazing view of the Little Missouri River valley to the west and the Bully Pulpit Golf course to the south. It's only about a mile hike but it's a long climb and it's pretty steep in some places. We've rode to the top on horseback many times and never seen any rattlesnakes but I'm sure there could be some so I would stay on the trail especially on top where there is tall grass and sagebrush. Walk the rim of the butte from the east side all the way around the west side. Like I said, the view is worth the walk.

If you have to walk off the trail stay on the short grass or bare ground and away from rock piles and sagebrush. Rattlesnakes like to be near hiding places and don't like bare ground or short grass. The advice about staying out of deeply worn trails is a good one especially if you can't see the ground more than a couple of feet ahead of your path. If you stay away from the rock piles and brush you are less likely to surprise a snake and if they can see you coming they will try to get away from you. They will not deliberately try to ambush you so just use common sense while you walk and you'll probably never see one.

 

[fly2cast]

I'm just looking at some areas on google earth to hike. It looks like in some areas there are oil well pads. Are the roads to these areas open to drive on or possibly park near?

Also, what would you guys recommend for the kids to wear when hiking as far as snakes are concerned? Do they need to wear tall boots or something or are tennis shoes fine as long we are careful?

 

[Sub_Elect]

Tennis shoes are fine. Just be careful, warn then about running around and horse play. Keep an eye and ear out and you'll be fine.

 

[Ponyroper]

I would like to take my kids hiking in the badlands next week. Does anybody have any suggestions for a nice scenic place to hike about 1 to 3 miles long?

How old are your kids? Small kids can play out quickly if you get into steep terrain. Take lots of water and some snacks along with a first aid kit and maybe even a snake bite kit if it's a large group. Check your cell phone coverage before you leave. Cell phone coverage is very spotty in the badlands for some carriers and it's a good idea to have someone along with a signal. Don't go off the trail to climb steep hills or rocks. One misstep and you could roll a long way. It's no more dangerous to hike in the badlands than it is to cross the street downtown, just different hazards. Have fun.

 

[Migrator Man]

The petrified forest loop is cool. You can walk in 1-2 miles to see the best parts on either the north or south loop. Did not see any snakes but did see a lot of buffalo.