Discover Mckenzie County
Accommodation in Mckenzie County
Badlands, Wildlife, and Trails along the Little Missouri River
Mckenzie County combines impressive landscapes with an unusually wide range of opportunities for a trip. In the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, rugged badlands stretch along the Little Missouri River. A 14-mile scenic drive runs along the northern edge of the valley and offers the opportunity to observe bison and bighorn sheep. The entrance to the North Unit is located about 15 miles south of Watford City—an orientation point that can be helpful when choosing a vacation rental and planning your days.
Hiking also offers a choice of different experiences. The Little Mo Nature Trail is an accessible path in the North Unit. Those looking for a longer outing will also find nature trails, day hikes, and backcountry routes there. The Maah Daah Hey Trail is 144 miles long, crosses the Little Missouri River twice, and connects the CCC Campground at its northern end with the Burning Coal Vein Campground at its southern end. It is suitable for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. Its name comes from the Mandan Tribes and means “land that will endure for a long time.”
The Long X Trail offers a different landscape experience. From the CCC Campground, it follows the valley floor of the Little Missouri River and climbs along the Long X Divide on a historic cattle-driving route. At the Long X Visitor Center, the central place for general visitor information, you can see a petrified bald cypress stump. The remarkable specimen weighs 17,000 pounds and is 60 million years old. This allows you to combine an active tour through the landscape with a visit focused on natural history.
History in Museums and Historic Buildings
In addition to nature experiences, Mckenzie County offers insights into regional history. The McKenzie County Heritage Park & North Dakota Oil Museum includes a scale replica of a drilling and workover rig. Admission is free. The Lewis & Clark Trail Museum of Alexander is housed in a three-story brick building that served as a school in Alexander from 1914 to 1967. A dedicated Lewis and Clark section presents exhibits and artifacts related to the Corps of Discovery. Themed rooms such as an old general store, a schoolroom, and a saddle room make the historical presentation vivid.
For seasonal planning, it is important to note that the Lewis & Clark Trail Museum of Alexander is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Another notable historic landmark is the Grassy Butte Historic Post Office Museum. The building was constructed from logs and sod in 1912 and housed the post office from 1914 to 1963. The Grassy Butte Post Office was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The museum is considered one of the last known examples in North Dakota of Ukrainian-influenced log cabin and mud-plaster architecture.
Which Location Suits Your Trip?
When choosing accommodation, it is worth deciding on the focus of your trip. Those who primarily want to combine a scenic drive, wildlife viewing, and short distances in the North Unit should orient themselves around the location of the park entrance and Watford City. For longer outdoor days, the Maah Daah Hey Trail and the Long X Trail are the defining destinations. The northern end of the Maah Daah Hey Trail lies directly across the Little Missouri River from the entrance to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
If you are traveling with children, the Wild West Water Park can be an additional seasonal option. It has two water-slide towers, a children's play area, and a family-sized hot tub. The season runs from June 1 through the end of August. In addition, the McKenzie County Sportsman's Club offers year-round courses on outdoor topics, conservation, and youth programs; it also has 14 archery ranges. For further local orientation, you can also include Watford City and Alexander in your search.
This makes it possible to plan a stay in Mckenzie County according to your preferred pace of travel: with landscapes and wildlife, longer routes and horseback or cycling tours, regional history, or seasonal activities for a varied stay. Choose a vacation rental or holiday home to match the experiences you want to place at the center of your trip.
For the overarching travel overview: North Dakota.
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