Hi there!
As it goes in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, there are many spots you can go to see the scenic views!
And one of those spots is the Skyline Vista Trail.
This is located in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Driving the South Unit scenic drive to Skyline Vista
You will find the Skyline Vista Trail along the South Unit Scenic Drive.
The Skyline Vista 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 Skyline Vista parking lot is located directly off the road. You will see it as you are driving.
Hiking the Skyline Vista Trail
The Skyline Vista Trail is a rather short trail. It’s more like a leisurely walk.
There is a paved trail from the parking lot, and this is listed as 0.2 miles round trip.
Once at the end of the paved trail, you can have a further walk around if you’d like to adventure further.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is an open-hike park which means that unless otherwise noted, you can go off the trail and explore on your own.
So your walk doesn’t have to end just because you have reached the end of the paved trail!
Take care, of course!
You won’t really completely feel like in fully immersed in nature because you’ll be able to see (and hear!) the I-94 interstate traffic right in front of you.
Cost to go to Skyline Vista
Skyline Vista is within the paid entry area of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
So in order to go to hike the Skyline Vista Trail, you need to pay the national park entry fee.
In 2023, it’s $30 per car for a 7-day pass. There is no one-day Theodore Roosevelt 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.
If you’re a senior, there’s also a senior annual national pass which is worth it even if you only go to Theodore Roosevelt National Park! It’s $20! See current fees under interagency passes.
More below about a quick stop to hike the Skyline Vista Trail!
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Now…
Driving to Skyline Vista Trail
The Skyline Vista Trail is one of the first stops on the South Unit Scenic Drive.
If you were to drive directly from the South Unit Visitor Center to the Skyline Vista Trail, then it would be around a 10 minute 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 first pass by the visitor center. You can make a stop here to learn more about Theodore Roosevelt, including visit his former residence of the Maltese Cross Cabin.
👆 You can stop by the Maltese Cross Cabin on the way to Skyline Vista.
Continuing the drive along, you’ll pass by the Medora Overlook.
👆 You can stop by Medora Overlook on the way to Skyline Vista.
Then if you keep driving, you’ll see a prairie dog town! You will know when you see it because you’ll see tons of mounds of dirt… or you may hear the prairie dogs chirping first! On this particular day that I was here, there were buffalo all around the prairie dog town too.
Then it’s shortly after this prairie dog town that you’ll see the Skyline Vista parking lot. It’ll be alongside the road.
There will be a sign for Skyline Vista.
Then, you can start your walk!
And after you’ve taken in the views along the Skyline Vista Trail, you can continue driving for more of the South Unit!
At the end of the South Unit Scenic Drive you will find the Badlands Overlook.
And that’s a bit about making a stop for the Skyline Vista Trail!
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
- Best hikes in Badlands National Park
- Camping in Badlands National Park
- 10 days in South Dakota (from North Dakota)
HAPPY HIKING THE SKYLINE VISTA TRAIL!
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