Badlands Overlook 🌞 Drive to Badlands Overlook in Theodore Roosevelt National Park 🌞 North Dakota travel blog

Hi there!

 

As it goes in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, there are many spots you can go to see the scenic views of the North Dakota badlands!

And one of those spots is the Badlands Overlook… yes you can see badlands here.  😜

This is located in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

 

 

 

Driving the South Unit scenic drive to Badlands Overlook

 

You will find the Badlands Overlook along the South Unit Scenic Drive.

The Badlands Overlook is an easy stop to make as you are driving the South Unit scenic drive.

You’ll come across it as you’re driving.

The Badlands Overlook parking lot is located directly off the road.

 

 

 

Cost to go to Badlands Overlook

Badlands Overlook is within the paid entry area of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

 

 

So in order to go to the Badlands Overlook, you need to pay the national park entry fee. In 2021, this was $30 per car for a 7-day pass. (There is no one-day pass.) See current fees.

If you will be visiting at least 3 national parks in one year, then you may want to consider getting the annual national parks pass.

 

 

More below about a quick stop to see the views from the Badlands Overlook!

 

 

🌞

 

 

 

Now…

Driving to Badlands Overlook

When I did the drive to Badlands Overlook in 2021, there was a part of the South Unit Scenic Drive that was closed.

It seems like the section is closed indefinitely with no timeline for repair.

 

 

This means that the South Unit Scenic Drive is an out-and-back drive, instead of a loop drive as it has been in the past.

If that section is still closed when you go, it also means that the Badlands Overlook is at the very end of the South Unit Scenic Drive. (If the road was not closed, then you could drive that road to get to the Badlands Overlook quicker.)

So when the Badlands Overlook is at the end of your drive, if you were to drive directly from the South Unit Visitor Center to the Badlands Overlook, then it would be around a 1 hour drive.

The South Unit Visitor Center is on the South Unit Scenic Drive and also right near the Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit entry station.

 

Explore the map.

 

 

So, once you are on the South Unit Scenic Drive, you will basically just keep driving until the end of the road! (If it’s still not possible to drive the South Unit Scenic Drive as a loop!)

You will pass by many scenic overlooks including Medora Overlook and Skyline Vista.

Once you are approaching Badlands Overlook, you will see the parking area located directly off the main road.

 

 

Then, you can take in the views!

 

 

And after you’ve taken in the views at the Badlands Overlook, you start making the drive back on the South Unit Scenic Drive!

 

 

And that’s a bit about making a stop for the Badlands Overlook!

 

More scenic overlooks in Theodore Roosevelt National Park:

• What else can you see: South Unit Scenic Drive
• River Bend Overlook
• Oxbow Overlook

 

Plan more of your trip to the North Dakota badlands and beyond:

• Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
• Remote Elkhorn Ranch Unit
• Best hikes in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
• Things to do in Badlands National Park
• Camping in Badlands National Park
• 10 days in South Dakota (from North Dakota)

 

HAPPY VISITING THE BADLANDS OVERLOOK!