Cross Ranch State Park Badlands Access Road

The Cross Ranch Access Road punches 12 miles into some of North Dakota’s wildest badlands where the Missouri River carved canyons deep enough to hide entire herds of bison. This former cattle ranch road follows ridgelines through classic North Dakota breaks country, passing active prairie dog towns and exposed fossil beds from when this was a tropical sea. The road dead-ends at an overlook where you can see clear to the Missouri River and understand why Lewis and Clark called this country ‘the worst in the world.’

Moderate difficulty requires high-clearance 4WD for the steep grades and loose bentonite clay that turns slick as snot when wet. Best driven April through October, but avoid it entirely during rain or snow melt. No permits needed but this is state park land with specific vehicle restrictions. Bring water and extra fuel since the nearest services are 30 miles back in Washburn. You’ll earn panoramic views across the Missouri River breaks and a genuine taste of what the Great Plains looked like before the plow.