This byway is one of our choices for North Dakota’s Top Scenic Byways, as listed in our North Dakota section.

This road trip includes two state scenic byways and the two separate units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. From Bismarck, the state capital, start heading west 133 miles to Medora. The quickest, most direct and least scenic way is via I-94. If you have time, try driving the Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway which parallels I-94 for some 90 miles from Mandan (immediately west of Bismarck) to Dickinson. The name comes from the Old Red Trail that ran from New York to Seattle. The trail eventually became Highway 10. Today, on maps it’s labeled as both Old Highway 10 and County Road 139. The drive passes through numerous small towns with museums, eateries and shops. Highlights include 38-foot-high Salem Sue, the "World's Largest Holstein Cow." Overlooking New Salem, the giant fiberglass sculpture honors the dairy industry.

Bismarck west to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, including 65-mile round trip detour to Regent following the Enchanted Highway
323 miles / 520 km
Continuing west from New Salem, it’s about 60 miles to Gladstone and another worthy detour, the Enchanted Highway. From Gladstone, this byway runs 32 miles south to Regent. Along the drive are some of the world’s largest scrap metal sculptures with descriptive names like Geese in Flight, World's Largest Tin Family, Teddy Rides Again, Pheasants on the Prairie, Grasshoppers in the Field, Deer Crossing and Fisherman's Dream. Looking to revive his hometown of Regent after decades of economic and population decline, Gary Greff began constructing the artwork in 1989. Then, he opened the Enchanted Castle Hotel in 2012. Nearby, there’s a gift shop with miniatures of the sculptures. Regent also has a campground.
From Regent, return north to Gladstone and the Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway. It’s 12 miles west to Dickinson and the 12-acre Dickinson Museum Center, known for its Badlands Dinosaur Museum and Prairie Outpost Park featuring several relocated historic structures.
From Dickinson, follow I-94 another 37 miles west through farmland and prairie to Medora and the entrance to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The park has two units. The northern section is 68 miles away and we’ll get to that shortly. This is the South Unit which has a visitor center and the 36-mile Scenic Loop Drive. Parts of the loop are narrow with sharp curves and steep grades. That said, large RVs and vehicles with trailers are allowed. There’s no fuel, food or lodging inside the park but Medora has gas, dining, campgrounds, motels and limited groceries.
The national park’s story began more than 65 million years ago when ancient rivers deposited sediments from the emerging Rocky Mountains. Erupting volcanoes across the West add ash. This layer cake of rock was then carved and eroded by modern rivers along with help from snow, ice, rain and wind. Today, the process continues and as you drive, bike and hike through these badlands, you’re greeted by colorful cliffs, domes, buttes and pillars. It’s a striking contrast to the surrounding Great Plains. Native Americans first called this area "mako sica" which means badlands. French traders called it a "bad land to travel." Keep watch for bison, pronghorn, elk, white-tailed and mule deer, wild horses, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs.
In 1883, a young Theodore Roosevelt arrived in the Dakota Territory to hunt bison. Over the years, he returned many times, challenged physically and mentally. His evolving love and appreciation for this part of the country transformed America. "I would not have been President had it not been for my experience in North Dakota,” he later said. During his time in office, Roosevelt established five national parks and helped found the U.S. Forest Service, crafting a conservation policy that continues to endure.
To reach the park’s North Unit, from Medora follow I-94 east to US 85 north. It’s 68 miles to a small visitor center. If you’re traveling from early to mid-August through early September, you’ll likely see fields of sunshine on the drive between units. These enormous plantings of blooming sunflowers are found throughout North Dakota in late summer.
The North Unit gets fewer visitors but is no less spectacular. Following Scenic Drive for 14 miles, the road passes several viewpoints, trailheads and a campground before dead ending at Oxbow Overlook. Hiking, backcountry hiking, birding and wildlife watching are popular. Scenic Drive is almost entirely paved and is open to RVs and cyclists. The closest fuel, food and lodging is in Watford City, 15 miles north of the visitor center on US 85.
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