Buckhorn Trail

The Buckhorn Trail winds through the South Unit's backcountry, offering an immersive half-day loop through classic badlands terrain rich with wildlife and geological interest. The trail departs from the Peaceful Valley area and traverses a mosaic of open prairie flats, eroded clay buttes, and grassy swales where prairie dog colonies are active throughout the warmer months. Their alarm calls serve as a reliable early warning of the bison herds that roam freely through this section of the park, and hikers should maintain respectful distances from any animals encountered on trail.

The middle section of the loop climbs several modest ridgelines, providing elevated perspectives across the Little Missouri River drainage and the layered badlands beyond. Interpretive signs along the route describe the park's ranching history, including the Maltese Cross Cabin period when Theodore Roosevelt himself ran cattle here in the 1880s. The return leg descends through a cottonwood-lined drainage where white-tailed deer are frequently seen at dusk. The trail is well-marked with brown carsonite posts, but hikers should carry a map as junctions can be confusing in flat light. An excellent moderate option for those seeking solitude away from the paved scenic drive.