Caprock Coulee Trail (Theodore Roosevelt National Park) Hiking Guide
Caprock Coulee is the North Unit's best mid-length hike. It starts as a self-guided nature trail up a narrow, unusually wooded coulee, then climbs onto a grassy butte and follows a ridgeline with long views over the Little Missouri badlands before dropping back to the road. It's about two to three hours if you take your time.
Permit: The North Unit uses the same entrance pass as the rest of Theodore Roosevelt National Park: $30 per private vehicle, $25 per motorcycle or $15 per person on foot or bike (16 and older), valid 7 days. Pay at the North Unit entrance station in summer, at the visitor center the rest of the year, or online. Card payment only.
Loop Length
The park's trail table puts the full loop at 4.3 miles and 2 to 3 hours; its nature-trail page calls it 4.1. Hiking Project maps a 4.2-mile loop with about 631 feet of climbing and a steepest grade around 23 percent. The first stretch is the Caprock Coulee Nature Trail, which the park describes as 0.8 mile; turning around at its end makes a 1.6-mile outing. From that point the park's sign says the rest of the loop is another 3.3 miles.
Up the Coulee
Keep left at the first fork; the right branch heads toward the Buckhorn Trail and the prairie dog town. The nature trail's 21 numbered posts point out rivulet erosion, a thin seam of lignite coal, blue-grey bentonite, prickly pear, chunks of petrified wood and an active slump that blocked the coulee. Green ash and juniper shade the north-facing slopes. Seep water near the slump makes the path slippery, and it isn't safe to drink.
The Ridge
Past the nature trail the climb begins on wooden steps up a grassy butte. Hiking Project's contributor describes the trail crossing the scenic road near the River Bend Overlook lot, where a short path leads to the CCC-built shelter, then dropping steeply onto a narrow ridge that is hard to follow in places. Look for round wooden posts set as steps. Several bentonite layers cross the ridge, and when wet they are very slippery. Sign the register at the start and on your way out.
Fee and Dogs
The North Unit entrance station is about 15 miles south of Watford City on US 85. It's staffed May through September; in the off-season, pay at the visitor center or online. A carload pays $30 for seven days. Pets are not allowed on trails here; outside the park, the Forest Service's CCC Campground nearby offers dog-friendly hiking on the Maah Daah Hey and Long X trails.
Weather and Time
Remember that the North Unit runs on Central time while Medora and the South Unit run on Mountain time. The ridge is exposed to sun and constant wind, so bring more water than four miles seems to need. The park says parts of the North Unit's scenic road may close in winter for snow and ice. Summer storms can make the clay ridge treacherous; if it has rained hard, do the nature trail out and back instead.
Hiking tips for Caprock Coulee Trail (Theodore Roosevelt National Park)
- Keep left at the first fork to stay on the Caprock Coulee loop.
- Sign the trailhead register in and out.
- Turn around at the end of the nature trail if the ridge clay is wet.
- Remember the North Unit is on Central time when planning sunset.
- Carry water; the seep along the coulee isn't safe to drink.
Nearby trails to explore
- Buckhorn Trail (Theodore Roosevelt National Park)
- Painted Canyon Nature Trail (Theodore Roosevelt National Park)
- Coal Vein Trail (Theodore Roosevelt National Park)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Caprock Coulee is a long drive from almost anywhere, so make the trip with company. Plan a North Unit day in TrailMates, coordinate the drive in the event's group chat, and hike the ridge together. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.