Little Missouri State Park

Little Missouri State Park is one of North Dakotas' most hidden natural pearls. Unlike the famous Theodore Roosevelt National Park, this state park attracts few visitors and conveys a sense of real wilderness. Wide prairie, deep-cut valleys, gentle hills and spectacular badlands characterize the landscape.

The park is located about 35 kilometers south of Watford City and is particularly popular with hikers and riders. If you want to experience North Dakota away from the famous sights, you will find an almost untouched nature here – often without encountering another human soul.

Category | Information

Area | ca. 2,600 hectares

Ideal stay | 1⁄2–1 day

Fifth-wheel access | Check your vehicle, specific campsite and approach road.

Hiking | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Horse riding | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Number of visitors | (very quiet)

Several viewpoints offer impressive panoramic views over the Little Missouri Badlands.

Unlike Theodore Roosevelt National Park, there are hardly any visitors on the road, which makes the landscape even more original.

Shortly after sunrise, the soft light dives into the hills and gorges in warm gold and red tones – ideal conditions for impressive landscape views.

The view of the Little Missouri River valley is one of the most beautiful in the park.

From various hills you can see far beyond the open prairie and gently curved Badlands.

The wide grassy landscapes are typical of the West North Dakota and offer a fascinating contrast to the rugged Badlands.

Here you can experience the vastness of the Great Plains particularly intensely.

The park has more than 70 kilometres of hiking and riding trails.

The trails lead through:

Open prairie

Gorges

River valleys

Hills

Most paths are medium-heavy and require some condition.

Little Missouri State Park is considered one of the best riding areas in North Dakotas.

Many visitors explore the landscape on horseback – in the style of early cowboys.

Due to the low number of visitors, excellent opportunities for undisturbed landscape and animal photography are offered.

With a little luck you discover:

Mule deer

White-tailed deer

Coyotes

Prairie dogs

Golden eagles

Wild turkeys

There are no shops in the park.

Before arriving in:

Watford City

Killdeer

There you will find supermarkets, gas stations and outdoor shops.

There is no gastronomy in State Park.

Recommended are:

Popular for:

Burger

Pizza

Craft Beer

Rustic atmosphere and classic American cuisine.

The campsite is located in the middle of nature and is one of the quietest in the state.

Benefits:

Spacious pitches

modern sanitary facilities

partly electricity connections

fantastic view

Ideal for travellers looking for peace.

Comfortable alternative with full hook-up and complete infrastructure.

Located in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Ideal if you want to combine both parks.

The access road to the park is asphalted and can be easily accessed even with larger campers. However, for longer hiking tours it is recommended to use the pickup truck as individual parking spaces are limited.

Little Missouri State Park is an excellent alternative to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. If you want to experience the Badlands without groups of visitors, you are right here.

After sunset impressive photos of the starry sky are created here. Thanks to low light pollution, conditions for astrophotography are excellent.

In the park there is hardly any service or shopping – take enough water and food with you.

The weather can change quickly. A windproof jacket also belongs in the luggage in summer.

Mobile reception is only limited.

The hiking trails offer hardly any shade – sun protection is particularly important.

Little Missouri State Park is one of North Dakotas' best-kept secret tips. Those who appreciate loneliness, vast landscapes and original nature will love this park. Unlike the much more well known Theodore Roosevelt National Park, you can often spend hours here without meeting other hikers.