McKenzie County: Badlands, Hiking Trails and Cultural History

The North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in McKenzie County. Its 14-mile scenic drive runs along the northern edge of the Little Missouri River Valley and passes through rugged badlands. You may see bison and bighorn sheep along the drive, but sightings are not guaranteed. The entrance to the North Unit is about 15 miles south of Watford City. This distance is approximate; check road conditions as you plan your route.

Badlands and Trails for Different Types of Outings

Hiking options in the North Unit range from short walks and nature trails to day hikes and backcountry routes. The Little Mo Nature Trail is accessible. For planning your outings, options range from short walks to day hikes.

Reservations are required for all sites at Juniper Campground. A free permit is required for backcountry camping in the North Unit. Check park notices before your trip, as reservation and permit procedures may change.

Maah Daah Hey Trail and Long X Trail

The Maah Daah Hey Trail crosses the Little Missouri River twice. At its northern end, it connects CCC Campground with Burning Coal Vein Campground at its southern end. The route is suitable for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Its name comes from the Mandan Tribes and means “land that will last a long time.”

The Long X Trail follows a different route: From CCC Campground, it follows the floor of the Little Missouri River Valley and climbs along the Long X Divide on a historic cattle trail. This trail is also suitable for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. When comparing the two routes, the Maah Daah Hey Trail’s two river crossings and its endpoints, as well as the Long X Trail’s transition from the valley floor to the Long X Divide, offer useful points of reference.

The Long X Visitor Center is the central place for general visitor information. It also displays a fossilized bald cypress stump weighing 17,000 pounds and dating back 60 million years. The Watford City Walking Path begins at Centennial Park, behind the Children's Play Park on Main Street.

Museums and Regional History

The McKenzie County Heritage Park & North Dakota Oil Museum includes a full-scale replica of a drilling and workover rig. Admission is free; donations are welcome. This gives the museum a different focus from the exhibits on exploration history and everyday life in the past in Alexander and Grassy Butte.

The Lewis & Clark Trail Museum of Alexander is housed in a three-story brick building that served as a school in Alexander from 1914 to 1967. A Lewis-and-Clark section features exhibits and artifacts related to the Corps of Discovery. Other themed rooms include an old general store, a schoolroom and a tack room.

The Grassy Butte Historic Post Office Museum was built from logs and sod in 1912 and housed the post office from 1914 to 1963. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It is considered one of the last known examples of Ukrainian-influenced log and mud-plaster architecture in North Dakota. In contrast to the school building in Alexander, the focus here is on construction methods and postal history.

Seasonal Recreation

Wild West Water Park is a seasonal attraction with two waterslide towers, a children's play area and a family-sized hot tub. If you plan to visit, call to confirm the specific dates.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Watford City, Alexander, Mountrail County, Stutsman, LaMoure County, Bowman County, Morton County, Cavalier County.

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