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North Unit
Visit the park’s quiet side! Highlights here include more rugged badlands, smaller crowds, and a fun herd of longhorn cattle. Every activity is accessed via the Scenic Drive, a 14-mile out-and-back road that cuts through the unit. The town of Watford City offers a few hotels and restaurants, and it is located 15 miles north of the park entrance.
1. Sperati Point
Breathe in the crisp prairie air as you fill your soul with phenomenal views! This overlook highlights the best of the park’s North Unit: golden grasslands, energetic wildlife, dramatic badlands, and a sparkling river that gives everything life.
What You Need to Know
The trail to Sperati Point is 2 miles roundtrip and is mostly flat as it travels through the rolling hills. This viewpoint is accessed via a spur trail off the longer Achenbach Trail.
Stroll through the grasslands and enjoy the beautiful wildflowers as you head out to the cliff’s edge. Be on the lookout for bison….they always have the right-of-way, so give them plenty of space. It’s not uncommon to find them on the trails out here!
Pets are not permitted on this trail.
Getting Here
From the North Unit Visitor Center, drive west on the Scenic Drive for 14 miles to the very end of the road. Park in the lot for the Oxbow Overlook, enjoy the view from here, and then follow the Achenbach Trail that leaves from the parking lot to reach Sperati Point.
2. River Bend Overlook
Stand under a piece of history while gazing out at the river below! This is the North Unit’s most epic viewpoint, but solitude can still be yours in this quiet section of the national park.
What You Need to Know
A short walk down the hill from the parking area will bring you to an old Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) shelter that was built in the 1930s. This group of young men built several structures out of local materials in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
This bend in the Little Missouri River is especially scenic as it winds through the vegetated North Dakota Badlands!
Getting Here
From the North Unit Visitor Center, drive 7.8 miles west on the Scenic Drive and look for the pullout on your left.
3. Little Mo Nature Trail
Walk along the banks of this charming river as you learn about the flora and fauna that call this park home. Be sure to keep an eye out for the park’s resident longhorn cattle herd while you’re here!
What You Need to Know
This nature trail travels along the river bottom of the Little Missouri River, affectionately known as Little Mo. It is 1.1 miles roundtrip if you complete both sections, or 0.7 miles if you only walk the paved section.
Grab a trail guide at the trailhead to learn about this habitat as you hike! Pets are not permitted on this trail.
Getting Here
From the North Unit Visitor Center, drive 4.5 miles west on the Scenic Drive. Turn left at the Juniper Campground and park at the lot on your right next to the small ranger building. Cross the street to find the trail.
Click NEXT to see sights 4-8 (including the most popular activities in the park!)
Hi Ash!
Do you recommend a particular place to stay in Medora for a couple nights or is it all chain hotels etc? Which is also totally fine, I just always use your lodging guide recommendations, which are amazing, so I didn’t know if you had a particular rec for this park. We are planning a trip here next July along with your five day itinerary to the South Dakota parks. Can’t wait! Thanks so much! -Annalyn
We usually camp in our travel trailer, but last year we took a quick last-minute trip and stayed in the AmericInn. It was fine…nothing fancy. But one of the nicer hotels in town :) Roughriders would be good too!
Awesome thank you!
Excellent article and will use the contents as I plan our trip to the Park this coming September.
Dan
Thank you!
Thank you for this wonderful article. I plan to be passing thru Medora soon. I was looking for some info on the park and this article helped.
That’s great! Have fun in Medora!