North Dakota badlands and the Enchanted Highway

Route description

Start just across the Missouri from Bismarck at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, with rebuilt Mandan earth lodges and the cavalry post Custer left for the Little Bighorn. Then take I-94 west across rolling wheat and ranch land.

At exit 72 near Gladstone, turn south onto the Enchanted Highway, a 32-mile road lined with giant scrap-metal sculptures of geese, grasshoppers and pheasants, ending in the tiny town of Regent. Return north to I-94 by the same road, or cross over on county roads to rejoin the interstate farther west.

Painted Canyon Overlook on I-94 gives the first big view of the badlands. Medora is the gateway to the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park; check which sections of the scenic loop road are open, and watch for bison, wild horses and prairie dogs.

US-85 runs north about an hour to the North Unit, which is quieter and has steeper, greener badlands. Its 14-mile scenic drive ends at the Oxbow Overlook; Watford City has services. Late spring through early fall is best; the area is remote, so keep the tank full.