Lonesome Highway — Little Missouri River Badlands to Medora via Burning Coal Vein Road
Badlands clay, wild horses, and a coal seam that won't quit.
North Dakota doesn’t get its due in the overland world, but the Little Missouri Badlands around Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s South Unit are the real deal. The Burning Coal Vein area southwest of Medora follows the Little Missouri River benchlands through eroded badlands painted in grays, reds, and burnt ochre — the colors come from clinker rock formed where ancient lignite seams have been burning underground for an estimated 200 years. The route threads USFS two-track and primitive county roads past wild horse bands that roam the Little Missouri National Grassland, with river crossings when water is low and creek clay that turns to axle-deep gumbo after rain.
This is a high-clearance 4WD route — not technically gnarly, but the bentonite clay makes it a vehicle swallower when wet. Do not attempt after rain, period. Stick to dry conditions, typically June through September. The Little Missouri National Grassland is managed by the Dakota Prairie Grasslands district; no permit required for dispersed camping. Fuel in Medora before heading out — the nearest gas station west of here is a long way. Cell service is essentially nonexistent beyond the park boundary. The wild horses alone are worth the detour, and the clinker formations near the coal vein itself look like something off another planet.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2900 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Medora, ND |
| Land manager | USFS Dakota Prairie Grasslands — McKenzie Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Dakota Prairie Grasslands Theodore Roosevelt National Park |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle this trail without modifications?
Yes — a stock 4WD high-clearance rig is the minimum and will get through under dry conditions. Bentonite clay is the real threat here: when wet, it turns into axle-deep glue that will stop even a built rig cold, so stock or not, check the weather hard before you roll.
When does Burning Coal Vein Road become impassable, and is it drivable in spring?
June through September is the reliable window. Spring snowmelt and early-season rains turn the bentonite clay sections into a greasy mess that's nearly undrivable — ruts form fast and dry hard, and land managers hate it. Don't push spring access here.
Do you need a permit to drive this route or camp along it?
No permit required for the USFS Dakota Prairie Grasslands sections — dispersed camping is free and legal. If your route touches Theodore Roosevelt National Park boundaries, standard NPS entry fees apply. Confirm current conditions with the McKenzie Ranger District before you go.
What's the hardest part of this trail and what makes it technical?
The bentonite clay sections after any moisture are the crux — not rocky technical, but slick-as-ice greasy where you lose steering and momentum fast. The Little Missouri River crossing can also rise quickly after rain; it's typically shallow but read it before you drive it, not from the seat.
Is there any gas or water available along the 38-mile route, and what's the cell situation?
Zero cell service the entire run and nothing resembling a gas station or reliable water source on route — Medora is your last fuel and resupply stop before you head out. Carry all your water and top off your tank in Medora; 38 miles of badlands dirt with no signal is not where you want to find out your range is short.
Trail track
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