Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit has cannonball-shaped rocks and brightly colored rock formations coupled with the Little Missouri River.
The North Unit is 68 miles north of the South Unit on U.S. Highway 85. Check the website for closures in winter.
This summer, I am detailing our road trip to the Dakotas and Mount Rushmore as a series for a family adventure you might want to do!
NORTH UNIT SCENIC DRIVE
The North Unit has a 28-mile out and back scenic drive. This drive follows closely along the Little Missouri River for most of the way.
NORTH UNIT VISITOR CENTER
This is the smallest visitor center that we have been to with restrooms located on the outside. Hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.
After going by there we stopped in the Juniper area for a picnic where there is rock and log shelter houses.
Near the picnic ground, a lone buffalo was nearby having his meal of grass, not a usual animal come across while having a sandwich.
CANNONBALL CONCRETIONS PULLOUT
Large brown cannonball-looking rocks were our next stop.
We also explored some of the Buckhorn Trail here as it went along the hard clay that is filled with pockets and intentions.
Story on the Cannonballs
These balls were not carried by flowing water or glaciers.
Instead, they formed within the sediment layers of the badlands. Now, erosion is slowly exposing these buried treasures.
They formed when mineral-rich water deposits minerals as it seeps through porous sediment layers. The minerals act like glue, binding the sediments together and forming concretions. Concretions form into many different shapes where these took on a spherical shape.
We wandered around this area checking out the different balls here then walking further back finding a short cave and even a rock table.
RIVER BEND OVERLOOK
Here we walked along the rim of the canyon checking out part of the Caprock Coulee Trail.
The overlook includes a stone and roofed overlook after walking a short trail from the parking lot.
This was a scenic spot being able to see far off in the distance with views of the Little Missouri River far below among the trees.
You can see different colored layers of cliffs and rocks here.
We spent time wandering around the cliffside to gain different distant views and see the stone overlook from a distance.
OXBOW OVERLOOK
This overlook takes its name from a type of meander in the river below. Oxbows and oxbow lakes are common along the free-flowing Little Missouri River where natural flood cycles constantly shift the river’s course.
Once the Little Missouri River went north, but encroaching glaciers blocked the river’s path. By about 640,000 years ago, the water found a new course, flowing east along the glacial front. The river’s new course was shorter and steeper, causing it to flow faster. As the water gained speed, it started carving down into the plains. This was the beginning of the formation of the badlands.
Taking in the Views
Down below we could see how the river curved around in the valley. Long trails that go through the park start from this location.
I liked the far distant view and the geological history carved by the river.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We did not do long hikes here but walked out to the overlooks and in the cannonball area. Overall, it was a scenic area to explore further into Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK NORTH UNIT TRAILS
Little Mo Trail
A .7-mile trail that explores the river bottom habitat along a paved nature trail with slight grades.
Caprock Coulee Natural Trail
This trail is 1.5-miles goes through badlands terrain and dry washes as you experience a variety of habitats.
Prairie Dog Town via the Buckhorn Trail
Starts at the Caprock Coulee Trailhead and follows the Buckhorn Trail to a prairie dog town for a total of 1.5-miles.
Sperati Point via the Achenbach Trail
Another 1.5-mile trail begins at Oxbow Overlook. A gently rolling walk leads to an overlook of the Little Missouri River.
DETAILS:
Drive: Take Interstate 70 to Kansas City then go north on Interstate 29 and then in Fargo make a left onto Interstate 94. Take exit 42 and go north on U.S Highway 85 going north. Look for the entrance to the park on the left after crossing the Little Missouri River.
Hours: 24 hours
Address:
208 Scenic Dr, Watford City, ND 58854
SITES ALONG HIGHWAY 85
Trapper’s Kettle
If you are hungry for lunch or dinner Belfield, North Dakota has the Trapper’s Kettle in a rustic trapper setting. Based on the idea of having food that can be trapped or grown. This restaurant is on the other side of the intersection of Highway 85 and Interstate 94.
Address:
Sweet Crude Travel Center
Located on the open range on the highway to the North Unit where there are not a lot of stops. This travel center has food, gas, and well-attended restrooms.
Address:
12678 ND-200, Grassy Butte, ND 58634
STAYING IN MEDORA
Rough Riders Hotel
Next, we went back for one final night at Rough Riders Hotel in Medora, S.D.
Address:
EARLIER SITES ON THE TRIP
Theodore Roosevelt National Park: South Unit
Take in the views of eroded canyons and see prairie dogs and wild stallions at Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Painted Canyon
Panoramic canyon views and hiking trails are found at Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s Painted Canyon Visitor’s Center.
Badlands National Park: East Side Hiking
In Badlands National Park you can see unusual rock formations and canyons with vibrant colors and plenty of hiking trails to explore.
Badlands National Park: West Side Hiking
At Badlands National Park we took short hikes along the Loop Road checking out fossils and going up into the Badlands along a trail. We also stopped at the many overlooks for different views of the canyons and spires we drove by.
STOPS ALONG THE TRIP TO THE DAKOTAS
Discovering the Sioux Falls Waterfall
Seeing a waterfall at sunset in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was part of our first night on our summer trip to the Dakotas and Mount Rushmore.
Driving to the Highest Point in Iowa
Surrounded by cornfields on a windswept hill stands Hawkeye Point, the highest natural point in Iowa at 1,670 feet.
