You're driving toward Medora, North Dakota. Most people have their eyes glued to the signs for Theodore Roosevelt National Park. I get it. The big name draws the crowd. But honestly? If you're hauling a horse trailer or just want to actually hear the wind instead of a diesel engine idling in a crowded scenic overlook, you need to pull into Sully Creek State Park instead.
It's just a few miles south of town.
Sully Creek State Park isn't trying to be the grand spectacle of the Badlands. It’s the rugged, functional sibling. Located right on the banks of the Little Missouri River, this spot serves as the unofficial basecamp for the Maah Daah Hey Trail. That trail is a 144-mile beast of a path that cuts through some of the most unforgiving and beautiful terrain in the United States. While the national park feels like a museum where you stay behind the glass, Sully Creek feels like the backyard where you actually get your boots dirty.
The Maah Daah Hey Connection
The primary reason anyone ends up at Sully Creek State Park is usually that legendary trail. Maah Daah Hey is a Mandan Hidatsa phrase basically meaning "an area that has been around for a long time" or "grandfather." It’s a fitting name. If you're a mountain biker, this is your holy grail.
The park acts as a trailhead. You can start here and head north, winding through clay buttes and grasslands.
But here is the thing people miss: it’s not just for the hardcore athletes. I’ve seen families just hike the first few miles out of Sully Creek and get better views than they did at the paved overlooks in the South Unit. The terrain is famously "bent." That’s what the early French explorers called it—mauvaises terres à traverser—or bad lands to cross. At Sully Creek, you feel that difficulty immediately. The soil is bentonite clay. When it’s dry, it’s hard as concrete. When it rains? Forget it. It turns into "gumbo" that will suck the boot right off your foot.
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It's Basically a Horse Heaven
If you don't own a horse, you might feel a little out of place at first. Sully Creek is one of the few state parks specifically designed with the equestrian in mind. Most of the campsites have corrals.
You’ll wake up to the sound of whinnying and the smell of hay. It’s authentic. It’s not a "themed" experience; it’s just how life works out here in the western part of the state. The park provides water for the livestock, which is a big deal because the Little Missouri River isn't always reliable for drinking, depending on the runoff and the season.
There’s something remarkably peaceful about watching a group of riders head out into the morning mist toward the buttes. It feels like 1883. You’ve got the rugged horizon, the silence of the prairie, and the rhythmic thud of hooves. It’s a far cry from the bumper-to-bumper traffic you sometimes find at the nearby National Park during peak July weekends.
Timing the Little Missouri River
Let’s talk about the river. The Little Missouri is a "seasonal" river in the truest sense of the word.
If you show up in late August, you might find a trickle of mud. But in the spring? During the snowmelt? It becomes a legitimate backcountry floating destination.
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Sully Creek State Park is the premier spot to launch a canoe or kayak for a multi-day trip through the Badlands. Most people put in here and float all the way to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. That’s a 100-mile trip. It’s intense. You have to pack everything in and everything out. There are no convenience stores on the riverbanks. You are at the mercy of the water levels.
Experts like those at the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department recommend a flow of at least 100 cubic feet per second for a decent float. If it’s lower, you’ll be dragging your boat over sandbars. If it’s higher? Well, you better know how to read the water because the Little Missouri can get angry fast.
The Campground Reality Check
I want to be real with you about the amenities. Sully Creek is a primitive-leaning park.
- There are vault toilets.
- There are no modern showers inside the park itself.
- Water is available, but it's seasonal.
- The campsites are fairly open.
You aren't getting lush forests here. You’re getting the Badlands. That means sagebrush, scoria (that red rock you see everywhere), and maybe a few cottonwood trees near the river. The sun is brutal. Shade is a luxury. If you’re camping in a tent, bring a canopy. If you’re in an RV, make sure your AC is in top shape because the North Dakota sun in July doesn't play around.
The lack of light pollution, though, is the trade-off.
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The sky at Sully Creek is massive. Since you’re tucked away from the main Medora lights, the Milky Way looks like someone spilled flour across the ceiling. It’s visceral. You sit by the fire, hear the coyotes yapping in the distance, and realize that this is the version of the West that Teddy Roosevelt actually fell in love with. He didn't fall in love with paved loops; he loved this specific, rugged isolation.
Practical Advice for Your Visit
Don't just wing it. The weather in western North Dakota can shift from 90 degrees to a hailstorm in twenty minutes.
- Check the Maah Daah Hey Trail conditions. The MDH Association keeps a pretty tight pulse on the trail status. If it's wet, stay off it. Biking or hiking on wet bentonite ruins the trail for everyone else because the ruts freeze like stone when they dry.
- Bring your own shade. As I mentioned, the trees are sparse.
- Book early if you have horses. The corral sites are highly coveted, especially during the Medora Musical season (June through September).
- Watch for rattlesnakes. Yeah, they're here. They aren't looking for a fight, but they live in the tall grass and the rocky crevices. Just watch your step and keep your dog on a leash.
- Supplies are in Medora. If you forgot matches or beer, Medora is a five-minute drive. But be warned: prices in town are "tourist prices." Stock up in Dickinson if you want to save money.
How to Get There
The park is located at 14603 36th St SW, Medora, ND 58645.
From I-94, take the Medora exit. Instead of heading into the National Park entrance, follow the signs south through the town of Medora. You'll cross the river and find the park entrance tucked away. It’s simple, but easy to miss if you aren't paying attention.
Why Sully Creek Matters in 2026
In an era where every national park requires a timed entry reservation and a prayer to find a parking spot, Sully Creek State Park remains a sanctuary for people who actually like the outdoors, not just the "aesthetic" of the outdoors. It's a place for the gritty stuff. It's for the mountain bikers with mud on their faces, the riders with dust on their chaps, and the campers who don't mind a vault toilet if it means they get the best view of the stars in the county.
If you want the souvenir shop, go to the National Park. If you want the Badlands, come here.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Flow: Before planning a float, visit the USGS Water Data site for the Little Missouri River at Medora to ensure levels are above 100 cfs.
- Permit Info: Grab a North Dakota State Parks annual pass if you plan on visiting more than once; it pays for itself quickly compared to the daily vehicle fee.
- Trail Map: Download the Avenza Map for the Maah Daah Hey Trail before you arrive, as cell service at the bottom of the buttes is spotty at best.