Antelope Creek Fossil Trail

Deep in the Hell Creek Formation country, this technical route follows old paleontologist access roads to active fossil sites where 68-million-year-old dinosaur bones weather out of the canyon walls each season. The trail drops into Antelope Creek drainage through steep, loose shale slopes that challenge even experienced drivers, especially the notorious “Fossil Hill descent” where you’ll need to pick your line carefully. Multiple fossil sites dot the route including confirmed triceratops and hadrosaur locations that university crews still work during summer months.

This is difficult 4WD terrain requiring low-range, good tires, and recovery gear—the bentonite clay becomes soup when wet and those shale climbs are unforgiving. May through September only, and even then check conditions first. No permits for observation but collecting requires permission from landowners. Bring lots of water, fuel, and a full first-aid kit as you’re hours from help. The payoff is walking among exposed dinosaur bones in some of North Dakota’s most remote and scientifically significant badlands.