Bloody Run Hills to Sully Creek — North Dakota Badlands Rim Road via Burning Coal Vein
Bentonite badlands and smoldering coal in forgotten ND.
Most overlanders sleep on North Dakota entirely, and that’s exactly why this country feels the way it does — wide open, untracked, and brutally honest about what wet bentonite clay can do to a vehicle. The route runs south from the Burning Coal Vein area along the Marmarth corridor, where seams of lignite have smoldered underground for centuries and still vent heat through cracked earth, through the Bloody Run Hills drainage and down toward Sully Creek State Park above Medora. The terrain is rolling clay badlands interrupted by sharp coulees, petrified wood exposed in eroded ravines, and the occasional feral horse on the horizon. The Little Missouri River marks the southern boundary — a real crossing when it’s up, a gravel shuffle when it’s low.
Bentonite clay is the defining challenge here. Bone dry it’s fine gravel; wet it becomes axle-deep glue that will trap a truck in minutes. Check the forecast ruthlessly before committing — this is not a route to attempt after any precipitation. A high-clearance 4WD with mud tires is minimum; lockers are wise. Best season is June through August in dry years, or late September when summer moisture has passed. No permit required. Water is scarce — carry your own. Dispersed camping is available on BLM land throughout the Little Missouri National Grassland.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 34 mi / 54.7 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2860 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with mud tires |
| Nearest town | Medora, ND |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service — Little Missouri National Grassland |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Little Missouri National Grassland |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this trail, or do I need a lifted rig?
Stock high-clearance 4WD will get you through most of it, but mud tires are not optional — bentonite clay turns into axle-deep grease after any rain and will swallow all-seasons whole. A modest lift helps on the eroded two-track sections, but ground clearance matters more than suspension travel here.
What's the trail like after rain, and is there a window to avoid the worst of it?
Wet bentonite clay is one of the most unforgiving surfaces in the American West — it becomes near-impassable slick in minutes and can strand even capable rigs. June through September is the best window, but check forecasts hard before you go and avoid the trail entirely if rain hit within 24-48 hours.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp out here?
No permit required for the trail itself or for dispersed camping on Little Missouri National Grassland. Standard rules apply: no fee, 16-day stay limit, camp 300 feet from water and two-tracks, pack out everything.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually be ready for?
The bentonite clay two-tracks through the badlands rim are the crux — not technical rock crawling, but relentless loose surface, off-camber shelf road, and zero recovery room on the drop-off side. Bring a full-size spare, traction boards, and a recovery strap at minimum; this is 34 miles of remote with no bailout once you're deep in.
There's zero cell service on this trail — where's the nearest gas and how far out am I if something goes wrong?
Medora is your last fuel stop before the route and your first resource after — plan for a 70-plus mile fuel buffer to be safe. With no cell service for the entire 34 miles, a satellite communicator like a Garmin inReach isn't a luxury out here, it's your only link to help if something goes sideways.
Trail track
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