Hi there!
As it goes in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, there are many spots you can go to see the Little Missouri River!
And one of those spots is the Oxbow Overlook, and it’s one of the 2 main overlooks in the North Unit to see the Little Missouri River.
This is located in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Driving the North Unit scenic drive to Oxbow Overlook
You will find the Oxbow Overlook along the North Unit Scenic Drive.
Actually, the Oxbow Overlook is at the very end of North Scenic Drive, so you just keep driving until the road stops!
The Oxbow Overlook parking lot is the end of the road.
Then, there’s a short trail you can take to walk to walk around the Oxbow Overlook.
There is also a picnic area and basic no-flush toilet at the Oxbow Overlook parking lot.
Hiking trails from Oxbow Overlook trailhead
Aside from the short trail that goes around the Oxbow Overlook, you can also start hiking from the Oxbow Overlook if you are looking for a day hike in the North Unit.
The most popular hiking option from the Oxbow Overlook trailhead is to hike to Sperati Point.
👆 Hiking the South Achenbach Trail from Oxbow Overlook to Sperati Point is around 2.4 miles round trip.
Cost to go to Oxbow Overlook
Oxbow Overlook is within the paid entry area of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
So in order to go to the Oxbow 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.
👆 Cost of Theodore Roosevelt National Park entry fees in 2021.
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 Little Missouri River from Oxbow Overlook!
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Here is a quick list of places to stay for your North Dakota road trip near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and you can read the reviews at partner website booking.com.
- Medora: AmericInn by Wyndham
- Medora is a small town that is the gateway to the South Unit of the national park
- Dickinson: TownePlace Suites by Marriott or Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham
- Dickinson is the "big city" near the national park. It's not big at all, but there is a Walmart which makes it big for North Dakota standards! 😆 It's 40 minutes to the South Unit and 1 hour 10 minutes to the North Unit.
- Dickinson on a budget: Roosevelt Grand Dakota SureStay Collection by Best Western
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Now…
Driving to Oxbow Overlook
Oxbow Overlook is located at the end of the out-and-back North Unit Scenic Drive.
If you were to drive directly from the North Unit Visitor Center to the Oxbow Overlook, then it would be around a 40 minute drive.
The North Unit Visitor Center is on the North Unit Scenic Drive and also right near the Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit entrance.
Explore the map.
Once you are on the North Unit Scenic Drive, you will basically just keep driving until the end!
This will put you at the parking area.
From the parking lot, it’s a short trail of less than a minute of walking to the Oxbow Overlook viewing area. There’s a short path that goes around.
You can take a little walk around to take in the views of the Little Missouri River and North Dakota badlands!
And then after you’ve taken in the views, you can start the drive back!
Also see the other main overlook in the North Unit to see the Little Missouri River from above.
See more about things to do in the North Unit as you do the North Unit Scenic Drive!
And that’s a bit about stopping at 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 VISIT TO THE OXBOW OVERLOOK!
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