White Butte

Bjr97543 at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted

The highest natural point in the state, featuring panoramic views of prairies and badlands from a prominent butte with cultural and geological significance.

General Information

Length:
1.7 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:
Approximately 330-500 feet
Difficulty:
Easy to Moderate
Hours:
Open year-round during daylight hours
Fees:
No required fee; suggested donation at the trailhead to support access and maintenance
Pet Policy:
Pets are allowed on the trail when under control
Closest cities with hotels:
Bowman, ND (approximately 20 mi)
Seasons:
Best from March through October; accessible year-round depending on weather conditions
Location:
/search/?api=1&query=White+Butte+Trail+Bowman+ND+58623" rel="noopener" target="_blank">White Butte Trail, Bowman, ND 58623
Website:
www.ndtourism.com/amidon/attractions-entertainment/family-fun/white-butte" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ndtourism.com

From Bowman (approximately 20 mi): Take US-85 north toward Amidon, follow signs for White Butte, turn onto the local access roads leading to the trailhead parking area, and continue to the marked hiking trail entrance.

Overview

White Butte is the highest natural point in North Dakota. At an elevation of 3,506 ft (1,069 m), it is a prominent butte in Slope County, in the Badlands of the southwestern part of the state. It is located 3 miles (5 kilometers) east of U.S. 85 and about 6.5 mi (10 km) south of Amidon.

The nearest town is Amidon, about seven miles to the northwest. The summit is located within the boundaries of the Little Missouri National Grassland and is about 35 miles (56 km) south of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It is on private property, owned by the Dennis family who live nearby. At the parking area, one mile due north of the trailhead, the family maintains a small mailbox-like receptacle for donations to help maintain the area, and requests a $5 contribution from visitors. From the trailhead, the trail itself is a 4-mile round trip.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "White Butte", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0

Skye Marthaler, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted