Terry Badlands Scenic Road

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Views

Road can be muddy and impassable after rain.

Start by parking at the small trailhead (6-ish cars) at the beginning of the route. The trail immediately crosses a cattleguard and continues northwest, with easy and short grades though a grassland plain; you might spot pronghorn along this stretch.

At 0.6 miles, stay on the main road and pass a less defined 2-track on the right. At about 1.5 miles, the trail begins to climb a little more as it winds through eroded badlands. The last 0.5 miles is the steepest climb and with the most erosion on the trail.

Once at the top, you'll be rewarded with views of eroded badlands and the Yellowstone Valley to the south and west. Several campsites can be found at the overlook, though you probably need 4WD to get up the last 0.5 miles of road if you are not biking.

This road has such a varied riding surface-- silty clay, sand, gravel, cobble, even bedrock in areas. Golden eagles and hawks can likely be seen from the overlook. This is a great ride if you are passing by on I-94 and need a leg stretcher, as it's only about 10 miles from the interstate.