Buckhorn Trail

Overview

The Buckhorn Trail is an 11–11.4-mile loop in the North Unit that strings together just about every classic Badlands scene in one long day: high prairie, sagebrush terraces, forested coulees, and broad river-bottom views. Expect a moderate-to-strenuous effort with roughly 1,050 feet of cumulative gain. Most hikers take 6–8 hours (fit hikers sometimes finish in 4–5 hours of moving time), and you’ll want to bring a real map or offline GPS—route-finding is part of the game here.

Why hike it

If you want wildlife and variety without a crowd, this loop delivers. The prairie dog towns are lively and photogenic, bison commonly graze right on or near the tread, and you’ll catch sweeping looks at the broken Badlands from the higher benches. It’s a fuller, wilder sampler than many shorter walks, though some stretches run close to the scenic road and briefly pass utility ponds near the campground, which dings the solitude a bit.

Trail experience

From either end, the loop rolls over open grasslands into coulees and sage flats, with intermittent climbs to airy viewpoints. About 1.5–2 miles round-trip from the Caprock Coulee Trailhead is an easy out-and-back to large, active prairie dog towns—a great short option if you’re tight on time. On the full circuit, expect sections where the tread fades in grass, bison hoof ruts roughen the path, and after rains the bentonite clay turns slick and sticky. Depending on recent weather, you may encounter small creek crossings and, in high water periods, potentially a crossing near the Little Missouri.

Access and navigation

Common start points are the Cannonball Concretions pullout (near Juniper Campground) or the Caprock Coulee Trailhead. Trail registers are posted—please sign in and out. Marking can be inconsistent, especially where the trail snakes through prairie or overgrown brush. Bring an offline track or detailed topo and be comfortable navigating between posts and cairns rather than a perfectly defined tread.

Wildlife and safety

You’ll almost certainly see prairie dogs and often bison; deer, coyotes, and a good mix of birds and wildflowers round it out. Give all wildlife space (at least 25 yards; much more for bison). Prairie rattlesnakes are present—watch hands and feet in brush and rocky areas. Tall vegetation and ticks are common in season; long pants and repellent help.

Best time to hike

March–October is the sweet spot. Start early to beat heat and midday glare on the open prairie, and avoid the trail right after storms—bentonite mud is treacherously slick. Weekdays typically feel quieter than weekends. Golden-hour light (first/last two hours of the day) flatters the banded buttes and makes prairie dog photography easier.

Practical tips

• No reliable water on route—carry what you need for 6–8 hours, plus sun and wind protection.
• Grippy shoes and trekking poles help on clay-slick or steep rutted sections.
• Long pants/gaiters reduce scratches and tick exposure.
• Hikers yield to horseback riders; no pets on park trails.

If you’re choosing between hikes

Want a shorter, high-payoff walk? Hit the prairie dog towns from Caprock Coulee as a quick out-and-back. Looking for a bigger backcountry feel and don’t mind river crossings and trickier navigation? Consider linking Buckhorn with the Achenbach system for a longer, committing day.