Description

What is the Prairie Dog Plush Backpack?

It’s a stuffed prairie dog with a zippered pouch and backpack straps. Kids wear it like a regular backpack, but it looks like a plush prairie dog riding on their back. The pouch is 8 1/2 inches deep, with enough room for snacks, a small water bottle, sunscreen, and a junior ranger activity booklet.

Made by Impact Merchandise, this is part of a line of animal plush backpacks sold at national park visitor center stores. The prairie dog version is a natural fit at our Scotts Bluff and Wind Cave stores, where visitors can watch real black-tailed prairie dogs in active towns just steps from the trailheads.

What’s included

• Soft plush prairie dog body
• Zip-close storage pouch (8 1/2″ deep)
• Two adjustable woven nylon shoulder straps

The backpack is one piece. The prairie dog body is the bag itself, with the zipper running along the back. Straps attach at the top and bottom so the prairie dog faces outward when worn.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 19″ x 12″ x 6 1/2″
• Weight: 7.5 oz
• Pouch depth: 8 1/2″
• Materials: Soft plush body, woven nylon straps
• Closure: Zipper
• Care: Hand wash only
• Manufacturer: Impact Merchandise

Who is this for?

Kids visiting national parks. This gives them their own bag to carry, which means fewer “can you hold this?” requests on the trail. The size works well for ages 3 and up. It’s light enough that even toddlers can wear it without toppling over.

Gift buyers. If you’re looking for something more interesting than a generic stuffed animal, a plush backpack is a good pick. It’s a toy and a functional bag, so it gets used beyond the car ride home. At $19.99 it’s a solid visitor center gift that won’t collect dust.

Prairie dog fans. Prairie dogs have a dedicated following. They’re social, vocal, and their communication system is one of the most complex in the animal kingdom outside of humans. If someone in your life lights up at prairie dog towns, this is their backpack.

Prairie dogs at BHPFA parks

Black-tailed prairie dogs live at several BHPFA partner sites. At Scotts Bluff National Monument, two active prairie dog towns sit within the monument boundary. The evening Backcountry Tour includes a stop at one of the towns. At Wind Cave National Park, prairie dog colonies dot the mixed-grass prairie along the park road.

Prairie dogs are considered ecosystem engineers. Their grazing and burrowing shapes the grassland around them, creating habitat for dozens of other species including burrowing owls and black-footed ferrets.

Frequently asked questions

How much can the pouch actually hold?
The pouch is 8 1/2 inches deep. It’ll fit a small water bottle, a couple of granola bars, sunscreen, and a junior ranger booklet. Not a full daypack, but enough for a kid’s essentials on a short hike or a walk through the visitor center.

What age is this good for?
It works for kids roughly ages 3 and up. At 7.5 ounces empty, it’s light enough for young kids. The straps adjust to fit a range of sizes. Use your judgment with very small children around the zipper.

Can I machine wash it?
No. Hand wash only. Spot cleaning with a damp cloth works for minor dirt. For a full wash, use mild soap and warm water, then air dry completely. The plush material holds water, so give it time.

Is this just for kids?
Sized for kids, but the straps do adjust. We’ve sold plenty to adults who collect prairie dog gear. It’ll sit higher on an adult’s back than a regular bag would.

Do you have other animal backpacks?
Yes. The same line includes a Black Bear Plush Backpack, an American Bison Plush Backpack, and a Smokey Bear Plush Backpack, all $19.99.

Are the straps comfortable for little kids?
The woven nylon straps are adjustable and light. They’re not padded like a hiking pack, but for a 7.5-ounce backpack that’s carrying a few snacks, padding isn’t necessary.

Does buying this support national parks?
Yes. Black Hills Parks & Forests Association is the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. Net proceeds from every purchase fund education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at these parks and at Black Hills National Forest.

Can I see real prairie dogs at your parks?
Yes. Scotts Bluff National Monument has two active prairie dog towns within the monument boundary. Wind Cave National Park has large colonies along the park road, visible from several pullouts. Prairie dogs are year-round residents, though they’re most active on warm mornings.