Hiking and Trail Information

Hiking and Trail Guide

 

Hiking Trail

Round-Trip Time and Distance

Trail Description

Easy

Skyline Vista

South Unit

10 minutes

0.1 mi / 0.16 km

Feel the wind in your hair high atop Johnson's Plateau. This flat, paved nature trail is perfect for those who want to step out for just a moment.

Boicourt Overlook Trail

South Unit

15 minutes

0.2 mi / 0.3 km

One of the most beautiful South Unit overlooks is accessible by this easy nature trail with slight grade. This overlook is a ranger favorite for sunsets over the badlands!

Little Mo Trail

North Unit

30 - 45 minutes

0.7 mi / 1.1 km (paved inner loop) 1.1 mi / 1.8 km (unpaved outer loop)

Explore the river bottom habitat along a paved nature trailwith slight grades. Take along a trail brochure, available at the trailhead, to learn as you adventure.

Buck Hill

South Unit

15 minutes

0.2 mi / 0.3 km

You'll be on top of the world when you climb to the highest accessible point in the park. This is a short, but steep trail. The view from the top is worth every step.

Wind Canyon Trail

South Unit

20 minutes

0.4 mi / 0.6 km

Enjoy hiking this nature trail alongside a wind-sculpted canyon as you climb to the best view of the Little Missouri River the South Unit has to offer. Another ranger favorite for sunsets!

 

Easy to Moderate

Ridgeline Trail

South Unit

30 minutes

0.6 mi / 1 km

Explore the badlands environment along a nature trail with moderate to steep grades. Take along a trail brochure, available at the trailhead, to learn as you adventure. This trail has stairs.

Download the Ridgeline Trail brochure

Coal Vein Trail

South Unit

30 - 45 minutes

0.6 mi / 1 km (inner loop)

0.8 mi / 1.3 km (outer loop)

Although the coal vein is no longer burning, this nature trail is an excellent place to learn about badlands geology and ecology. Take along a trail brochure, available at the trailhead. This trail has stairs.

Download the Coal Vein Trail Brochure

Painted Canyon

Nature Trail

South Unit

45 minutes

0.9 mi / 1.4 km

The canyon looks amazing from the rim, but wait until you experience a hike down into it! Get up close and personal with the rock layers, junipers, and wildlife. Remember, every step down means a step back up on the return.

Caprock Coulee

Nature Trail

North Unit

1 hour

1.5 mi / 2.4 km

Hike through badlands terrain and dry washes as you experience a variety of habitats. Take along a trail brochure, available at the trailhead, to learn as you adventure. View the Caprock Coulee Nature Trail Guide.

Prairie Dog Town via the

Buckhorn Trail

North Unit

1 hour

1.5 mi / 2.4 km

Start at the Caprock Coulee Trailhead and follow the Buckhorn Trail to a prairie dog town. Be sure to plan some extra time for wildlife viewing; where

there are prairie dogs, there are often lots of other animals, too!

Sperati Point via the

Achenbach Trail

North Unit

1 hour

1.5 mi / 2.4 km

Begin at Oxbow Overlook. A gently rolling walk leads to an overlook of the Little Missouri River. Along the way, pay attention to the wide variety of forbs and grasses. The prairie ecosystem is one of the most diverse on the planet!

 

Moderate to Strenuous

Caprock Coulee

North Unit

2 - 3 hours

4.3 mi / 6.9 km

The first 0.75 miles of this trail consists of the Caprock Coulee Nature Trail. The trail becomes more strenuous as it climbs to the top of a grassy butte, follows a ridgeline with incredible views, and descends back down.

Maah Daah Hey

South Unit

3 - 4 hours (one way)

7.1 mi / 11.4 km (one way)

The Maah Daah Hey Trail stretches 96 miles across the National Grassland connecting all three units of the park. This portion of the trail runs through

the South Unit.

Lone Tree Loop

South Unit

5 - 6 hours

9.6 mi / 15.4 km

You can begin this trail at Peaceful Valley Ranch by following the Ekblom Trail. To avoid a river crossing, access the loop via the Maah Daah Hey Trail. Thiswill add 3.2 miles round trip. Be aware of difficult stream crossings.

Petrified Forest Loop

South Unit

5 - 6 hours

10.3 mi / 16.6 km

Located in the remote northwest corner of the South Unit, this hike takes you through ancient petrified forests and badlands wilderness. The loop includes the North and South Petrified Forest Trails as well as the Maah Daah Hey.

Buckhorn

North Unit

6 - 8 hours

11.4 mi / 18.3 km

Hike through prairie dog towns, sagebrush terraces, deep canyons, and high open prairies. Experience the diversity of plant and animal life in these distinct habitats.

Jones/Lower Talkington/

Lower Paddock Loop

South Unit

6 - 8 hours

11.4 mi / 18.3 km

This loop combines the Jones Creek Trail, the Lower Talkington Trail, and the Lower Paddock Creek Trail. Add it to the Upper Paddock/Talkington Loop for an epic adventure of 23.4 miles.

Upper Paddock/

Talkington Loop

South Unit

8 - 10 hours

15.4 mi / 24.8 km

19.4 mi / 31.2 km (Painted Canyon)

This trail combines part of the Lower Talkington Trail with the Upper Talkington and Upper Paddock Creek Trails. Accessing the loop from Painted Canyon will add 4 miles round trip to your hike.

Achenbach

North Unit

10 - 12 hours

18 mi / 30 km

Steep climbs and descents and two river crossings await you on a trail that leads deep into the heart of the Theodore Roosevelt Wilderness. Cross the Little Missouri River at daybreak and climb the buttes to greet the rising sun.

 

Please keep the following in mind as you hike:

 
  • All plants, wildlife, and natural and cultural features are protected. This includes animal bones, rocks, flowers, cultural items, and anything else you may discover while hiking. Do not disturb or remove these things.
  • Watch wildlife from a safe distance of 25 yards or more.
  • Pets, bicycles and motorized equipment are prohibited on all trails and in the backcountry.
  • Backcountry camping requires a free permit.
  • All trash and other materials, including toilet paper, must be packed out. Human waste should be buried in a hole 6-8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from any water source.
  • Hikers should yield the right-of-way to horseback riders.
  • Respect wildlife and other visitors by keeping noise low while on trail.

Last updated: September 8, 2024

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 7
Medora, ND 58645

Phone:

701 623-4466

Contact Us