Rattlesnake Creek Badlands Trail
Clay hell through badlands fossil country
This gnarly 18-mile loop cuts through some of North Dakota’s most challenging badlands terrain, where Rattlesnake Creek has carved deep gullies through Paleocene shale formations southwest of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The trail climbs steep clay banks that turn to greased glass when wet, weaving between colorful scoria buttes and past abandoned lignite strip mines from the 1970s. Key waypoints include the old Knutson Mine pit and several paleontology dig sites where amateur fossil hunters have found turtle shells and petrified wood.
This is expert-level wheeling that demands lockers, aggressive tread, and a winch—the clay sections will humble cocky drivers fast. Bone dry conditions only; attempt this trail when muddy and you’ll be walking out. Best tackled in late summer through early fall when the creek beds are passable. No services for 40 miles in any direction, so carry extra fuel, water, and recovery gear. The reward is accessing some of the most remote and geologically fascinating country in the state, plus legitimate bragging rights for conquering North Dakota’s toughest 4×4 challenge.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | Full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2650 ft |
| Best season | August-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with lockers |
| Nearest town | Medora, North Dakota |
| Land manager | Private/BLM |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
What vehicle modifications are absolutely required for this trail?
You need front and rear lockers, 35+ inch tires, and rock sliders at minimum. The clay becomes impossibly slippery when wet, and the shale sections will destroy stock skid plates.
Why is August-September the only recommended season?
The clay turns into impassable slick hell when wet, and North Dakota's spring/fall rains make sections completely undriveable. Late summer gives you the best chance of dry conditions.
Do I need permits to run this trail?
The trail crosses both private ranch land and BLM sections. You need landowner permission for private portions - contact the Medora ranger station for current access agreements.
What makes this an expert-level trail?
Steep clay climbs with zero traction when wet, loose shale descents, and multiple creek crossings with soft approaches. One wrong line choice can mean a multi-day recovery.
How much fuel should I carry for this 18-mile loop?
Bring extra fuel - the constant low-range crawling and potential for getting stuck burns way more gas than normal. A full tank plus 10 gallons minimum from Medora.