Can’t Make It to Badlands National Park? North Dakota Has Its Own Version and It’s Free

The rugged, otherworldly landscape of South Dakota's Badlands National Park is world-renowned, and when you have the time, it is definitely worthy of a visit. What many folks don't seem to realize, however, is that we have our own incredible expanse of badlands topography right here in North Dakota, and it's just as impressive as that of the national park to our south. I think one of the best places to take in this unique landscape is White Butte, the highest point in North Dakota. Let me explain why.

Most of us have seen images of the dramatic striations and creases carved into the eroded buttes and bluffs of Badlands National Park, such as the one above. Many of us are likewise familiar with our own North Dakota version of badlands, which are beautifully showcased within the 70,400 acres of land comprising Theodore Roosevelt National Park, as shown in the image below.

What many folks may not realize, though, is that Theodore Roosevelt National Park's badlands represent only a small fraction of this type of topography in the state. In fact, North Dakota Game and Fish categorizes more than 2.8 million acres of western North Dakota as "badlands" topography. So, if you want to see badlands without the drive or the crowds that you'll find at the namesake national park, all you need to do is head to the southwestern region of the Peace Garden State. It's there that you'll find White Butte, where I think you'll get some of the most wonderful views of this unique landscape.

Why White Butte, you may ask? As the highest point in the state—3,506 feet above sea level—this butte offers commanding views of the surrounding terrain, which, as you've likely guessed, is an expanse of North Dakota badlands that extends out into the vast Dakota Prairie National Grasslands. The southern badlands in South Dakota's national park similarly extend into Buffalo Gap National Grassland, making the views comparable.

You'll find the trailhead for White Butte along a gravel road that runs east of U.S. Route 85 between Amidon and Bowman, North Dakota. The out-and-back trail is relatively short—less than a mile each way—and it's well-worn, so you can expect easy going. One thing to note is that you'll gain almost 340 feet in elevation over the length of the trail, so be ready for a bit of a leg day. Of course, it's the elevation that makes the views so superb, so the reward is definitely worth the modicum of effort you'll put in to reach the top.

For my money, North Dakota's vast badlands are just as dramatic as those of our neighbor to the south, and I can pretty much guarantee you that they're less crowded. Moreover, if you head to White Butte to experience the badlands in North Dakota, you won't need to pay an entry fee or show your America the Beautiful Pass—just park and hike.