Missouri River Breaks Buffalo Gap Trail

This demanding trail follows old cattle drives and Native American routes through the heavily eroded Missouri River breaks north of Pierre, crossing deep coulees and climbing steep ridges that challenged Lewis and Clark’s expedition in 1804. The route includes the notorious Buffalo Gap passage, a narrow slot through crumbling chalk formations that requires precise wheel placement and often forces drivers to stack rocks for tire clearance.

Serious 4WD with low-range gearing and skid plates is mandatory—this isn’t a trail for weekend warriors or stock vehicles. The bentonite clay becomes treacherous when wet, and flash flooding can turn dry washes into torrents within minutes. Plan for spring or fall when temperatures are manageable and afternoon storms less frequent. The reward is genuine wilderness solitude in country that looks unchanged since the frontier era, plus some of the best stargazing in the Great Plains.