Hi there!
The South Unit Scenic Drive is the main road through the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
So if you are visiting the South Unit (which is the more popular unit), then there’s a good chance that you’ll be driving it!
In its current state, the South Unit Scenic Drive is an out-and-back drive because there is a portion of the South Unit Scenic Drive that is closed. (It previously was a 36 mile scenic loop drive in the South Unit.)
The South Unit Scenic Drive is now listed as a 48 mile drive round trip. See current updates.
In this current state, the “first” stop along the South Unit Scenic Drive can be the Maltese Cross Cabin and/or South Unit Visitor Center. (They are the same parking lot, and this is located near the South Unit entry station.)
The “last” stop along the South Unit Scenic Drive is the Badlands Overlook. This is as far as you can drive and where you will turn around.
From the first stop to the last stop, if you were to drive directly without stopping, it might be around a 1 hour drive. (map)
So round trip, it will be at minimum 2 hours. But it will probably be more since you will likely stop at least once or twice!
There is of course, more to the South Unit Scenic Drive than just driving to the bathroom. 🤣 Be sure to see more of what to see on the South Unit Scenic Drive! And then there is also the North Unit Scenic Drive… and even the drive to the Elkhorn Ranch Unit! Be sure to see the best things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park!
More below about making a bathroom stop as you are driving along South Unit Scenic Drive!
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So…
Is there a bathroom along the South Unit Scenic Drive?!
There are bathrooms at the start of the South Unit Scenic Drive, and there’s one that you can use in the middle of the drive so you don’t have to go all the way back to the start if you really need to go!
1. South Unit Visitor Center bathroom
There is a Theodore Roosevelt National Park visitor center at the start of the South Unit Scenic Drive.
And as you would expect, there are bathrooms at the visitor center.
So this means that there are bathrooms at the start of the South Unit Scenic Drive.
2. South Unit picnic area bathroom
And then around a 15 minute drive on the South Unit Scenic Drive, there is a picnic area.
There will be a sign for the Cottonwood Campground (you might be camping in Theodore Roosevelt with BUFFALO!) and picnic area.
The picnic area has a regular bathroom.
3. Far along the South Unit Scenic Drive bathroom
And then after those bathrooms near the start of the South Unit Scenic Drive, I think the only other bathroom there is along the Scenic Drive is located far along the South Unit Scenic Drive.
If you drive the whole South Unit Scenic Drive, it’s something that you will see. So it’s not like you will drive by it without seeing it.
It is a random bathroom along the side of the road. You will see it. Unless you are completely zoning out, it’s not something you have to worry about closely being on the lookout for. It is in plain sight.
It’s a basic no-flush toilet.
And, it can make for a dual purpose stop! You can stop for the bathroom, and you can also stop to take a walk around to get a closer look at some rock formations of the North Dakota badlands!
Across the road from the bathroom you’ll see some rock formations.
And you can also go for a walk on the same side of the road as the bathroom!
Now, this is not really a “must-stop” by any means. (Unless you need to go to the bathroom. 😜)
But rather, this is another example of what it’s like along the South Unit Scenic Drive!
You can make random stops (where there’s an adequate roadside parking spot!), get out of the car, and go for a closer look of some of the rock formations in the North Dakota badlands!
👆 In the map above, off to the right side, you can see Buck Hill and Coal Vein Trail. There are separate roads that you will turn off of South Unit Scenic Drive to get to each of these. In is between the road to Buck Hill and the road to Coal Vein Trail that is the bathroom towards the end of the South Unit Scenic Drive. So when you are driving to the end of South Unit Scenic Drive, you can start paying attention after you pass the sign for Buck Hill. The bathroom will be on the right side.
And that’s a bit about the bathrooms as you are driving the South Unit Scenic Drive!
Plan more of your trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park:
- Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park for VIEWS!
- Best hikes in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- North Unit
- Road to Elkhorn Ranch Unit
HAPPY PIT STOP WITH VIEWS ALONG THE SOUTH UNIT SCENIC DRIVE!
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