Badlands (North Dakota)
The Badlands of North Dakota are in the southwest portion of the US state. Here, the Little Missouri and other rivers carve stunning rock features out of the dry prairie.
Understand
Badlands are unique formations resulting from millions of years of sedimentary buildup, followed by erosion.
Cities
Other destinations
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park - This badlands terrain also includes open prairie and hard wood draws. It is home to bison, prairie dogs and many other wildlife species
- 🌍 Little Missouri National Grasslands
Get in
Interstate 94 passes west-east through the center of the region, connecting to Montana, Bismarck, Jamestown and Fargo.
US Highway 85 drives north-south through the region.
Get around
The area is sparsely populated and in the summer months gets extremely hot. Fill up your gas tank, check your coolant levels, and pack plenty of water.
See
Do
Hunting
This is a prime area for mule deer.
Fishing
- Buffalo Gap Dam, 2 miles southeast of Buffalo Gap (I94 exit 18) for trout, largemouth bass, and bluegill.
- Camels Hump Dam, immediately northeast of Sentinel Butte (I94 exit 10) for trout, bluegill, and largemouth bass.
- Odland Dam, 7 miles north of Beach for pike, perch, and bluegill.
Eat
Rocky Mountain Oysters are cattle or buffalo testicles that are breaded and deep-fried. While many people enjoy this delicacy, locals enjoy tricking visitors into eating without disclosing the nature of the food.