Touring the Badlands by Road
The Badlands look close enough to explore from the highway, but an ATV route is not the same thing as a scenic drive. In western North Dakota, public-road access depends on the road’s designation, the machine, and local conditions. This guide explains how to plan a road-based Badlands tour without mistaking a map line for permission to ride.
Understand what “touring the Badlands by road” means
Scenic drives and OHV rides are different trips
The word “road” can mean a paved highway, a county road, or a route specifically open to motor vehicles on public land. Those categories matter. A scenic drive through the Badlands may be suitable for a car or street-legal vehicle but not for a typical ATV or UTV. Conversely, a route open to OHVs on public land may be a rough gravel or two-track road rather than a developed scenic byway.
The Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit scenic loop near Medora is a well-known way to see Badlands scenery by road. Treat it as a park drive, not as an ATV trail. Before bringing an off-highway machine anywhere inside a park, check the park’s rules and the type of vehicle allowed. A machine with an OHV registration should not be assumed to have permission to use a public highway or a park road.
For OHV touring, the more useful question is not “Can I see a road on my map?” but “Is this specific route open to my type of machine today?” On parts of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, motorized travel is limited to designated routes. Some are roads, not recreational trails, and cross-country travel is generally not the same thing as following an open route. Start with Roads, Not Trails, on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands and Reading a Grassland Vehicle Use Map before you plan a ride.
Choose a base that matches your route
Medora is a convenient base for seeing the South Unit and exploring nearby Badlands roads, but it does not mean that every ride can begin at your hotel or campground. You may need to trailer your machine to an appropriate staging point, and some roads between town and a riding area may not be open to OHVs. Confirm the route from the trailer parking area to the legal riding area, not just the destination.
Watford City can work as a base for exploring the northern Badlands and nearby public-land roads, while other trips may involve starting farther from town. Distances that look short on a map can take longer on rough gravel, especially if you are traveling with a trailer, stopping to navigate, or moving at a pace that is safe for dust and washboard. For ideas on choosing a place to stay, see Medora as a Riding Base and Riding Near Medora.
A good base also makes it easier to adjust plans when a road is muddy, closed, or unsuitable for your machine. If you are traveling with a group, decide in advance whether everyone is comfortable with the same terrain and navigation approach. A scenic road tour can quickly become stressful when one rider expects smooth gravel and another has planned for narrow, rutted tracks.
Plan a legal route through public land
Use the official route designation, not just the map line
In the Little Missouri National Grassland, road access is not a blanket invitation to travel wherever a visible track appears. Use the applicable Motor Vehicle Use Map to identify routes open to motorized travel, and read the map legend carefully. A line can represent a route with a particular vehicle restriction or seasonal condition. A track on a phone map may be private, closed, or unsuitable for an OHV even if it looks well established.
Digital tools such as onX Offroad can help you orient yourself, review mapped roads, and keep track of where you are on a ride. Still, treat a digital map as a planning aid rather than proof that a route is open. Compare it with the agency’s official route information, pay attention to signs and gates on the ground, and do not continue onto an unsigned route simply because the app displays a line.
This extra check can feel tedious when you are eager to ride, especially after towing a machine across the state. It is much better than reaching a closed gate, entering private land by mistake, or discovering that a route is not intended for your machine. For a deeper explanation of why designated roads matter, read North Dakota Grassland Motor Vehicle Use Maps and North Dakota Cross-Country Travel Is Banned.
Check for land boundaries, closures, and local restrictions
Public land and private property can sit close together in the Badlands. A road may pass through or alongside private parcels, and a route that appears to continue beyond a gate may not be open to public use. Do not assume that an open-looking gate is permission to ride through. Follow posted signs, respect closures, and turn around when the route is not clearly open.
Weather can change the ride, too. Rain can make clay and gumbo surfaces slick and easily damaged. A road that was manageable in dry conditions may become difficult to climb or descend after a storm. Muddy travel can leave deep ruts, damage the route, and increase the chance of getting stuck far from help. Check conditions before departure and be willing to postpone a ride if the surface is soft.
A useful planning rule is to confirm three things for every route segment:
- The route is officially open to motorized travel.
- Your machine is permitted on that route.
- The route is currently passable and not closed by weather, maintenance, or another restriction.
For additional preparation, see North Dakota Trails Closed by Wet Weather and Gates on a Grassland Road. If you use onX Offroad to assemble a route, cross-check each important segment against official information and on-the-ground signs before committing to it.
| Route type | What it may be suitable for | What to verify before traveling |
|---|---|---|
| Paved highway | A car or other highway-legal vehicle | Whether your vehicle is street legal and whether the highway is part of your intended tour |
| Park scenic road | A sightseeing drive in a vehicle permitted by the park | Park vehicle rules and any temporary road restrictions |
| County gravel road | Travel by vehicles allowed on that road | Local rules, road condition, signs, and whether your OHV may use it |
| Designated Grassland road | OHV travel when the route is open to that machine | Official map designation, seasonal limits, closures, and posted signs |
| Unmarked track or cross-country route | Do not assume it is open | Obtain clear confirmation before entering; otherwise, turn around |
Prepare for Badlands road conditions
Expect changing surfaces and limited services
A Badlands road tour can include firm gravel, loose gravel, washboard, dust, ruts, steep grades, and soft clay. Conditions vary by route and weather, so a machine that handles one stretch comfortably may need a slower pace on the next. Keep enough distance from other riders to see through dust, and slow down before crests, bends, and areas where livestock or wildlife could appear.
The landscape can also make distances deceptive. A road may look close across a draw but require a long detour to reach it legally. Fuel, food, water, and mechanical help may not be nearby on a remote route. Before leaving town, check your fuel range, bring drinking water, and make sure your group knows where the planned stops and turnaround points are.
Coverage can be inconsistent in remote areas. Download or save useful maps before leaving a service area, and carry a backup way to navigate, such as a paper map or written route notes. If you rely on onX Offroad, make sure the relevant map areas are available offline before you lose reception. Share your intended route and expected return time with someone who is not on the ride.
Bring equipment for a self-supported ride
A basic road-based OHV trip is more comfortable when you carry the items that solve ordinary problems before they become emergencies. Consider bringing:
- A first-aid kit and any personal medication
- Drinking water and weather-appropriate layers
- A charged phone and a backup battery
- Offline maps or a paper map
- A tire repair kit and tools suited to your machine
- A tow strap and recovery points appropriate for the vehicle
- Eye protection and a way to manage dust
- A flashlight or headlamp
- A small amount of food for an unexpected delay
Inspect the machine before leaving. Check tires, brakes, lights, fuel, steering, and any straps or cargo. Secure loose gear so it cannot shift on rough roads. If you are riding with others, agree on a simple regrouping plan: stop at major junctions, wait when someone drops out of sight, and do not split the group to “catch up” without confirming where everyone is going.
Do not use a tow strap casually on steep or unstable ground. Recovery can be hazardous, particularly when a machine is stuck in deep mud or positioned near a drop-off. If the situation looks unsafe, stop and reassess rather than adding more vehicles or force.
Build a practical Badlands itinerary
Keep the first ride modest
For a first outing, choose a short, clearly designated route and leave extra time for navigation and stops. A shorter ride gives everyone a chance to learn how the machine behaves on local gravel and how quickly dust, wind, and rough surfaces affect comfort. It also gives you room to turn around if the road becomes muddy or a closure changes your plan.
Before the group leaves, identify the start point, intended route, fuel plan, and a clear turnaround time. Mark major junctions and agree on what the group will do if someone takes a wrong turn. If riders have different machines or experience levels, plan to travel at the pace of the least experienced rider rather than letting the fastest person set the day’s speed.
If the outing is mainly about scenery, consider separating the sightseeing drive from the OHV ride. You might spend part of the day exploring a park or town by highway-legal vehicle, then trailer the OHVs to a route confirmed for motorized use. That prevents the common frustration of discovering that a scenic road is not a legal route for the machine you brought.
Have a backup plan and know when to turn around
A reliable Badlands itinerary has a Plan B. Choose an alternate route that is also verified as open, or be prepared to shorten the ride and return to the staging area. Do not treat a closure, posted sign, or washed-out surface as an obstacle to work around by crossing private land or driving off-route.
The same goes for unexpected weather. If rain begins and the surface becomes slick, turning around early can protect both your group and the road. If wind or dust makes it difficult to see, slow down, increase spacing, and stop somewhere safe if needed. A planned ride is not a promise that conditions will cooperate.
For a broader overview of riding options, start with North Dakota Grassland Road Mileage and Touring the Badlands by Road. If you are choosing between a road-based outing and a developed OHV trail, North Dakota OHV Trails: All Four Riding Areas can help you compare the kinds of riding available elsewhere in the state. Use official route maps for the final access decision, and follow posted restrictions throughout the trip.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
