Burning Coal Vein Interpretive Site

This bizarre geological phenomenon features an underground coal seam that ignited decades ago and continues to burn, baking the surface clay into red clinker rock and creating occasional steam vents. The site sits along a gravel road in the Little Missouri National Grassland, marked by interpretive signs explaining the natural combustion process. The landscape looks almost Martian with its red, orange, and black coloration against the surrounding prairie.

Access is via gravel county roads south of Amidon that can be rough after rain but are generally passable by any vehicle. The site is always accessible and there’s no fee, though parking is limited to roadside pullouts. Bring water — there’s no shade and temperatures can be intense in summer, especially with the heat radiating from the burning ground.

Underground coal fire creating surreal landscape