Little Missouri National Grassland Elkhorn Ranch Road

The Elkhorn Ranch Road cuts 15 miles through Little Missouri National Grassland to reach the foundation stones of Theodore Roosevelt’s most remote ranch. This unmarked route starts north of Medora and follows old cattle trails through badland coulees and prairie dog towns before dropping into the Little Missouri River bottomland. The ranch site itself sits alone on the cottonwood flats where Roosevelt spent his most formative years after losing his wife and mother on the same day in 1884.

Rate this Difficult — the final 5 miles demand 4WD for deep sand, creek crossings, and washouts that claim rental cars regularly. Spring and fall offer the best conditions, though summer heat makes this a dawn-to-dusk adventure. No services, cell coverage, or marked trails once you leave the highway. Bring extra water, recovery gear, and respect for one of America’s most significant historical sites. You’ll find solitude that Roosevelt himself would recognize.