6 Must-See Great Plains Landmarks That Make an Unforgettable Family Road Trip From Fort Worth
Planning a summer road trip the kids will actually remember? Pack the cooler, queue up the playlist and point the minivan north. The Great Plains — the vast stretch of prairie, badlands and big sky country sometimes called the “breadbasket of the world” — is dotted with landmarks that mix jaw-dropping scenery, real American history and the kind of wide-open space Fort Worth families crave after a long, hot Texas summer.
Here are six stops worth building a family vacation around.
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
The most iconic landmark in the Great Plains — and arguably the entire country — Mount Rushmore is the kind of sight kids only believe when they see it in person. The 60-foot granite carvings of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln were chosen to represent the nation’s founding, expansion, development and preservation across its first 150 years. The monument was carved between 1927 and 1941.
While you’re in the area, swing by the Crazy Horse Memorial, which is set to become the world’s largest mountain carving when complete. It’s a powerful pairing for older kids learning American history.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Less than 2 hours away, Badlands National Park feels like another planet. The park’s eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires sprawl across 244,000 acres and contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds — catnip for any dinosaur-obsessed kiddo. Keep an eye out for roaming bison, bighorn sheep and black-footed ferrets along the way.
Chimney Rock, Nebraska
A great teaching stop for school-age kids, Chimney Rock was mentioned in more emigrant diaries than any other feature along the Oregon Trail. Its distinctive spire rises more than 300 feet above the North Platte River valley and once guided thousands of westward-bound pioneers. It’s a tangible piece of American migration history that brings social studies lessons to life.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Kansas
Closer to home for Fort Worth families, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve protects one of the last remaining stretches of a grassland ecosystem that once covered 170 million acres of North America. The nearly 11,000-acre preserve offers hiking trails, a working ranch you can tour, fishing spots and plenty of chances to spot wild bison. The rolling golden grasses under enormous skies are quintessential Great Plains — and a beautiful backdrop for family photos.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park honors the president who was deeply shaped by his time ranching in the Dakota badlands — an experience that’s said to have inspired his later conservation work. Families can take in the rugged, colorful terrain, watch for wild horses and explore abundant bison herds. If you plan to hike or camp, walk the kids through the leave no trace principles before you go. It’s a great lesson in stewardship.
Devils Tower, Wyoming
End the trip with a showstopper. Devils Tower is a massive igneous rock column rising 867 feet above the surrounding terrain. It was designated the nation’s first national monument in 1906 by President Roosevelt and is spiritually significant to many Native American tribes — featured in the legends of at least five. Movie-loving parents will recognize it as the centerpiece of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, where aliens dramatically land at its base.
Pack the Kids and Go
Between the bison sightings, the history lessons and the sheer scale of it all, a Great Plains road trip delivers the kind of memories Fort Worth families talk about for years. Just remember the sunscreen — and watch the weather, since the region is known for fast-moving storms and a high frequency of tornadoes.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
