Alkali Creek Road

Alkali Creek Road cuts a lonely line through 40 miles of Buffalo Gap National Grassland’s most remote corner, where the soil turns white with mineral deposits and the horizon stretches endlessly in every direction. The route starts near Interior and winds through mixed-grass prairie and badland breaks, crossing several seasonal creek beds that can turn treacherous after prairie storms. The highlight is the old Alkali Creek Homestead ruins at mile 22, where a stone foundation and windmill skeleton mark where someone tried to make a go of it in this unforgiving country.

This is moderate difficulty—more about navigation and weather than technical driving, though the creek crossings and muddy stretches demand high clearance and 4WD in wet conditions. Stock trucks handle it fine in dry weather, but carry extra water, fuel, and a good map since cell service disappears after the first few miles. Best tackled spring through fall when the roads are passable and the wildflowers make the emptiness beautiful. It’s a reminder that South Dakota’s got plenty of country where you can drive all day and see maybe three other vehicles.