National Parks

5 Things to do at Wind Cave National Park

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Wind Cave National Park isn’t just cave tours and bats. Check out this adventure packed park and add this family friendly park to your South Dakota Bucket List.

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Our most recent trek to the west brought us to Wind Cave National Park. We’ve been into cave tours lately, so this was a great place to explore, but it’s not just cave tours that brings visitors to this unique park in South Dakota; the hikes and wildlife are amazing, too!

1. Hiking

Wind Cave has over 30 miles of hiking trails available to visitors. If that’s not enough for you, it is also an open hike park. This means that hikers can explore off trail. If choosing to participate in this type of exploration, bring enough water, a map and keep an eye on surroundings, especially the roaming wildlife.

I highly recommend Hiking Rankin Ridge. We hiked this trail while waiting for our designated cave tour time. It’s only 1 mile, but it’s packed with views, both at the highest point in the park and all along the way. At the peak of this hike, there is a historic fire tower. Unfortunately, climbing it is not allowed. It’s cool to see nonetheless.

Be sure to stop along the drive to different hiking locations for a look around. The pull off areas have a lot to be explored. The kids really enjoyed climbing about on some of the rocks and getting a look around. Not to mention the scent in these secluded areas, the trees smell so refreshing!

2. Stop at the Visitor’s Center

The Visitor’s Center is chalk full of educational and interactive displays. The kids had fun exploring and learning about the park’s animals and environment. The gifts shop had several neat items and a junior ranger booklet.

There is a Tipi on display in front of the building, so fun for the kids to check out!

3. Garden of Eden Cave Tour

One cannot visit Wind Cave and not do a cave tour. That’s just silly! There are 6 tour options at Wind Cave ranging from easy to strenuous. Check out the descriptions on the NPS website to make sure you select the appropriate tour for your party. During the summer months, reservations are highly recommended. I can see why, we already had our tickets purchased and still needed to wait in a line to check in. There are park rangers available for questions on where to meet for your tour and they are quite helpful and friendly.

We chose the Garden of Eden tour as it is the least strenuous tour available, aside from the accessibility tour. We were traveling with a two year old, so simple is better. This tour did not disappoint! We were able to see multiple formations like cave popcorn, boxworm and flowstone. Sandy even got some cave goo on her, she found that to be quite neat! There are 150 stairs on this tour, not too bad when considering the fact that we were so far underground. This was a great tour option for kids, we saw a lot in a shorter amount of time.

The tour starts with a ride on an elevator taking visitors deep underground, then winds along a concrete path. The stairs have hand rails and the steps are lined with yellow paint. The tour guide made her way back and forth to change the lighting in the cave as we went along. She was very informative and had a few jokes, too. It was a very enjoyable tour.

4. Learn about the Black Footed Ferret

We had a very informative park ranger at the Visitor Center gift shop explain the importance of the black footed ferret to us while Sandy was purchasing a black footed ferret Wind Cave National Park sticker. The park ranger spoke with passion and explained the efforts of bringing this important piece back to the ecosystem puzzle.

The park was able to reintroduce a small population of 8 ferrets back into the ecosystem in 2007. The population has grown and maintains at about 40 ferrets. We weren’t able to spot any on our excursions, but it’s worth a shot. They are adorable!

5. Observe the Wildlife

Wind Cave reintroduced a number of species that now call this park home. During the westward expansion, many of this animals were hunted out. Now they are roaming free on in this land that was their ancestors home. Check out animals like elk, pronghorn and the big one, bison. Prairie dog towns are settled alongside the road, with a great viewing area. We stopped with the kids and got out to observe the little fellas. They barked at us, it was so cute! We stayed on the walking path and backed off so we didn’t disturb them any further.

Predators: There are a couple of predators in the park. Most prominently, the coyote. They hunt the prairie dogs and are the most amongst the predators. The other predators are of the kitty variety. Mountain lions and bobcats are present in the park, but it is very unlikely to see one.

DON’T PET THE FLUFFY COWS: Keep your distance from the bison. They may look docile, lumbering, and slow. Don’t be fooled, they can and will run faster than you. 2000 pound of angry bison is not something to mess with. Keep your distance and respect them in their home. You are the guest.

Tenting in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

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An unforgettable camping adventure awaits in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The bison roaming, the elk bugling, and the star gazing. Absolutely breathtaking.

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For an unforgettable, wild experience right in a campground, check out Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s Cottonwood Campground. Tent camping in a National Park was on the bucket list, Teddy Roosevelt was the perfect park to start in.

Campground

We stayed at the Cottonwood Campground in the South Unit of TRNP. This campground is on the left side of the entrance road, there was a lone bison on a hillside to greet us as we drove in. A wonderful welcome.

Space: The sites are quite close together and do not offer much in the way of privacy. This wasn’t too much of a deterrent for us as we were only at the site for sleeping and much too busy exploring to be in the campground anyhow.

Tent sites

The tent pad was a good size for our medium sized tent. The tent site distances range from being able to touch your vehicle to a short walk down a dirt path, but still within sight of the parking area. These are not remote campsites by any means, but there is still plenty of wildlife to be experienced.

Invest in some good quality tent stakes. We had just upgraded our tent stakes for thicker, more durable stakes. These proved to be no match for North Dakota’s tough soil. We bent just one stake, but were more careful about where and how we drove the rest into the ground.

While the sites are fairly close together, we didn’t get any feelings of being smothered or crowded. Likely due to the open, wild spaces that surround the campground. Tree cover in not in short supply at the campground. Beyond the outskirts of the sites, there is open spaces to see the bison and wild horses that frequent the area.

Wildlife & Nature

The wildlife is abundant in this National Park. Prairie dogs, bison, wild horses, elk, and so much more. Never have I experienced so much wildlife in a single park experience. Not only are these animals roaming the park in great number, but you can also experience their presence right from the campground. Check out these Short Hikes and Overlooks in Theodore Roosevelt NP for more chances to see the wildlife.

Natural Noise Machine: Leave your noise machines at home folks, you have all the nature sounds you need right here in this park. It was amazing. I’ve had many nights sleeping in the BWCA in Minnesota listening to the loons call. This park might have that experience matched. The elk bugling in the late September rut was amazing. The sense of wild that comes from sitting up late at the campfire with the majestic elk calls sounding in the distance the pinnacle of camp experiences.

Starry Nights: Turn out the lights and gaze up at the universe. The stars in this park are brilliant. After the kids went to bed, we sat by the small fire and took in the clear star speckled sky. The peace is infinite… until the kids wake up that is.

Do Not Pet The Fluffy Cows: The bison can and will roam wherever they please. This does include the campground. This is not an invitation to approach them. Don’t do this, they will toss you. Bison have been known to walk right through camp and enjoy the shade this grove has to offer. We didn’t see any bison in camp during our stay, but we did hear shuffling on the ground near our site during the night.

Breathtaking Sunrise: Looking to the east early in the morning gives campers views of the most breathtaking sunrise over North Dakota’s badlands. The crisp September mornings are perfect for enjoying the a cup of camp coffee and a link of breakfast sausage.

Bison Poo

Watch your step, droppings abound! All around the campground there is sign of bison, watch your step. Our 2 year old was all about the poop and let us know when we passed some more. It’s everywhere. So even if you don’t see bison in the campground, you’ll see just how comfortable they are when they roam in the area based on the location of their droppings. From the middle of your campsite to the doorway of the bathroom, watch your step.

firewood

We arrived after park hours, so we needed a different solution for firewood. We were able to find firewood for sale at a gas station/convenience store in Medora. It burned well, you never know with purchased firewood. Gathering dead and down wood is allowed in the campground, but nowhere else in the park. It is rather picked over, though.

There is a lack of firepits, but this makes sense as it’s prairie grassland in the surrounding area. A high risk for wildfire. However, there are raised BBQ grills that can accommodate a fire large enough to successfully roast marshmallows for s’mores.

bathrooms

The bathrooms were still open in September, so we did bathrooms available during our stay. The bathrooms are open seasonal, flush toilets close during the winter with vault toilets available year-round. It was a treat to have running water to wash hands, we are accustomed to a more rugged setting so this was a nice.

There are no showers available at this campground. We know this ahead of time but with our cooler weather camping, we weren’t too concerned with becoming too pungent.

There is so much to see in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It’s a wonderful park to spend a couple of days exploring

Restaurants

The city of Medora is settled right at the parks entrance. Take time to visit this neat town. Rumor has it that there is a great musical to attend with a pitch fork steak grill. If you’re interested in this event, make sure your visit is between June and early September. The show schedule can help you plan your time to visit.

Little Missouri Saloon & Dining Room: We had dinner a great dinner at this restaurant. I highly recommend the elk burger, that was amazing. Scott ordered the Bison Steak, I snuck a piece and it was amazing. For an appetizer, we had an order of the Steak and Cheese bites. The kids had burgers, even the kids menu items were delicious. All around, this was a fantastic place to stop in after a day of adventuring around the National Park.

Short Hikes & Overlooks in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

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Whether passing through the area or camping for a while, these short hikes and overlooks give visitors a great experience and grand adventure in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota.

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Theodore Roosevelt National Park is often a single day or two day stop for those passing through to larger, more popular parks, like Glacier or Yellowstone. Yet, there is much to see in this park. See more of the highlights in this park with shorter hikes along the Scenic Drive.

This park is broken up into 3 sections of park. The South Unit, North Unit, and Elk Horn Ranch. The South and North Units feature quite a number of hikes and overlooks. Some are quite long, up to 18 miles. We stuck to some shorter hikes in the interest of keeping our younger hikers happy and seeing more of the park by car. These were great during our stay at TRNP.

South Unit

TRNP’s South Unit is the most visited section of the park. Sitting right off of Interstate 94, it’s a passing through kind of stop for those on their way to more popular destinations like Glacier. For those passing through, these quick hikes a great way to stretch your legs and get a feel for the park without spending too much of your travel time. These stops are also great for those traveling with kids and seeking shorter hikes to please shorter legs. All of these hikes are just off of the scenic drive through the park.

Wind Canyon: Wind Canyon is a measly 2/5 of a mile, however, in that 2/5 of a mile there is much to see in the distant horizon and close up to the trail. We took this hike in the early morning and were able see far down the winding river and across prairie where bison fed on the slowly toughening grasses of fall. Wind Canyon obtained it’s name from the process in which it became a canyon. Most canyons are formed from water erosion, this canyon was actually formed from the wind erosion. The smoothness of the surfaces in the canyon wall are unlike the canyons formed from rivers.

Note: Stop to smell the sage, it’s so fresh and fragrant! I was wondering what we were smelling, then I realized that we were walking through sage brush.

Skyline Vista: A very short hike indeed, just 1/10 of a mile of paved path leads to an overlook of TRNP. The wind atop this ridge can be gusty, but the view is quite neat. This overlook is a great spot to stretch the legs briefly and check out some of the parks views.

Buck Hill: Our kids seemed to have the most fun on this trail. There are so many rock ledges and overhangs for them to explore and jump on. It felt as though we had brought a pair of baby goats along with us. The views stretched far and wide.

Coal Vein Trail: At just over half a mile, this hike is relatively easy with some inclines and rough trail. The coal veins are not burning here anymore, but there is some small remanent of the burn and the nature along this trail is quite neat. There may be bison in the area, be watchful and keep your distance.

North Unit

The North Unit of TRNP is an hour north of the South Unit on Hwy 85. It is about half the size of the Southern Unit but features a more rugged terrain and even more beautiful scenery. The trails in the North Unit are longer but there are a few spots for a short jaunt.

Little Missouri Nature Trail: This short trail is about a 3/4 to 1 mile of river bottom wildlife. The length depends on which route you take. Little MO is located at the Juniper campground. The trail loops down to the riverbed and crosses the Buckhorn Trail. There is information at the trailhead so hikers can learn about the ecosystem as they hike.

Cannonball Concretions: Situated just across the road from Little Missouri Nature Trail, this is actually a wayside exhibit and a Buckhorn Trailhead. This area features cannonball like structures protruding out of the slowly eroding rock. The cannonballs are sediment being held together by minerals that adhere them. We spent so much time here exploring the formations, the kids had a blast. It wasn’t technically a hike, but I think we got more out of this stop than we did from other hikes, it was their favorite stop at the North Unit.

Riverbend Overlook: Riverbend Overlook is absolutely the best overlook in the entire park, including the South Unit. I was in awe at this overlook. It didn’t seem real, the amount of time we spent here was unreal. I would go back to this park just for this view. There is a short hike from the parking area that leads to an open cabinlike gazebo. Be mindful of the edge beyond the gazebo and keep kids in hand.

Oxbow Overlook: This is the end of the Scenic Drive in the North Unit. It’s amazing to step out at of the vehicle and walk to the overlook. The overlook expands beyond the reaches of the park and makes a person feel very small. It’s a grand climax for this beautiful scenic drive.

Hiking Deer Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

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Six miles of switchbacking with grand views of Rocky Mountain National Park. This hike is a must on your visit to the Colorado National Park near Estes Park.

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When we planned out trip to Estes Park, Colorado, hiking to the summit of a mountain was on the list of adventures. After searching for the perfect hike to attempt with both kids (11 yrs and 2 yrs) in tow. We landed on Deer Mountain. It was indeed the perfect mountain for our kid friendly mountain hiking adventure.

Distance: 3 miles up and down (6 miles total)

Level: Moderate

Time to go: Best time to go would be May to September. Our trek took place at the end of September.

Dog Friendly: No, dogs are not allowed on any trails. Dogs are allowed in Campgrounds and roads only.

Fees: Vehicle Pass ($30-$35 depending on duration) or the America the Beautiful Pass. Fee info can be found on the Rocky Mountain National Parks page.

Fall River Visitor’s Center

Upon entering the park from the Estes Park side, check out the Fall River Visitor’s Center. There are displays throughout the building, a gift shop, and much information about the park. A great first stop, especially to grab a map and Junior Ranger guide. Our kids filled out their booklets and earned a Junior Ranger badge to take home.

Parking

We had meant to get an early jump on this trail, but early starts aren’t always in the cards when traveling with kids. Plus ,we wanted to grab breakfast at Brunch & Company in the Stanley Hotel. It was delicious!

Try to get to this trailhead early, parking was a nightmare and resulted in turning around a few times in our rental car and a very tight parallel parking job on the side of the road. Thankfully, Scott is a parallel parking master. Glad I wasn’t driving!

The trailhead is located where Fall River Road (Hwy 34) and Park Entrance Road (Hwy 36) meet. If entering from the Estes Park side, you’ll run right into it at the intersection.

Trailhead Loop or Out & Back

There are options here for this hike. Deer Mountain can be hiked as a loop with a spur or as an out and back. Given that we wanted to see more of the park that day and were carrying a toddler in a pack, we did just an out and back hike. This cut our distance and allowed more time to see other parts of the park. If you choose to the do the loop, your total distance will be 10.5 miles. There are other turnoffs on the loop, so be sure to follow signage.

Slight Incline Start

The trail starts with a deceiving slight incline, giving hikers the illusion of an easy hike. The beginning of the trail features a pleasant grassy approach with trees disbursed within it. Watch for signs of animal, we spotted a few spots of scat and some holes from critters along the trail.

Switchbacks

Switchbacks for days, folks. Switchbacks for days. The switchbacks are also steep, the switchbacks needed switchbacks. I think they seemed worse to me because I had a toddler on my back. Sandy (10) and Scott had no problems with the switchbacks. They were very patient while waiting for me to tote Killian up the mountain.

Take your time on the switchbacks and watch your footing. Most of the trail is packed well, but there are some spots that have jagged rocks protruding out of the trail and some root systems as well. The more difficult terrain is mostly at the turning points. Be courteous of other hikers going the opposite direction. In general, other hikers were very pleasant and gave encouraging words for this mom carrying a wee tot. Such a great community!

Viewing Points

One bonus for Scott and Sandy’s patience while waiting for me and Killian, was the viewing points. At some of the switchback turnarounds, there are short spur overlooks. Take a moment to catch your breath, just have it taken away again with the stunning views.

Steps

Near the end of the trail, hikers will come to a stone staircase. This is it folks, the final ascent! The steps are steep and are slightly covered in sand. Watch your step and climb.

Summit & Plaque – 10,013

Upon reaching the top, the view is absolutely breathtaking. Miles and miles of overview of the park and Estes Park. Continue on past the neat view of Estes Park to find the Summit Marker at the peak of Deer Mountain. It will be a bronze colored circle embedded in the rock. It was so cool to have the kids find and be able to touch the marker. A great feeling of accomplishment that they (mostly Sandy) climbed a mountain.

Say “hello” to the chunky chipmunks at the summit and try not to feed them. Sandy accidentally dropped a bit of trail mix, it was snatched up before she could grab it. It was no mystery as to how these mountain dwelling chipmunks became “chunky munkies”, snacking clumsy hiker snacks.

Safety Tip: Keep children close, the drop is substantial. We kept Killian within a couple feet of us at all times and in hand when anywhere near the edge.

The Descent

Ascending the mountain incites a great deal of awe, but comes with great toil in the effort of climbing. The descent grants allowance for truly appreciating the beauty of the mountain trail and the nature surrounding it.

Step aside in narrow areas to allow hikers keep their momentum up on their climb. This curtesy is much appreciated by moms & dads carrying junior explorers on their backs.

Bonus: Killian (2) fell asleep on the way down, so it was a much quieter situation. That helps with the serenity of the trail.