Killdeer Mountain Four Bears Scenic Byway
(64 miles)
From the Killdeer Mountains to the deeply entrenched Little Missouri River Breaks and Badlands, this byway provides a unique and enchanting landscape in one of the most scenic areas of western North Dakota. The rich culture and history of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara tribes, paired with the recreation opportunities of Little Missouri State Park, provide visitors an enthralling adventure in west central North Dakota.
Location
Beginning north of Manning on Highway 22 through Killdeer to Highway 23, then east to New Town
Top 5 points of interest
- Crow Flies High Butte Overlook – Located 2 miles west of New Town, this butte offers stunning views of Lake Sakakawea and the Four Bears Bridge. Interpretive signs talk about the life of Chief Crow Flies High and local history.
- Four Bears Museum - This diverse museum located in New Town offers a cultural as well as historic overview of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara tribes. Located on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation about 4 miles west of New Town on ND Highway 23.
- Little Missouri State Park - Wind, water and sand sculpted North Dakota's wildly rugged Little Missouri Breaks Country. Called "Mako Shika" or "where the land breaks" by the Sioux, these unusual land formations offer the state's most awe-inspiring scenery and can be found at Little Missouri State Park. Backpacking and horseback riding on the park's 48 miles of trails are popular activities. Horse corrals are available for groups bringing in their own horses and artesian wells are located within the park for horse watering purposes. In addition, a horse riding concession with horse rentals and guide services is available.
- Medicine Hole – A hike to the top of the south Killdeer Mountain offers stunning views and the legendary Medicine Hole, one of the few natural caves in North Dakota. The Medicine Hole received its name from the air that can be felt blowing from the cave opening, which legend claims has healing powers. Today, just as it has for hundreds of years, this mysterious cave is used by Native Americans for healing. Note: The hike is approximately 1 mile to the Medicine Hole and can be rather difficult, hikers should bring water and appropriate shoes.
- Killdeer Battlefield State Historic Site - Located ten and one-half miles northwest of Killdeer, this site commemorates a battle fought on July 28, 1864, between troops commanded by General Alfred Sully and Sioux Indians. Sully's force had been sent into Dakota Territory to develop routes to western gold fields and also to punish those Indians who had participated in Minnesota's Dakota Conflict of 1862. Many of the Sioux groups gathered at Killdeer Mountain had not participated in the Dakota Conflict and had sought to make peace with the government. The conflict at Killdeer Mountain further embittered relations between many Northern Plains tribes and the U.S. government. Sully's campaign, culminating at Killdeer Mountain, was not the end of hostilities but instead a prelude to the Sioux Wars of the 1870s.
- Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge - Located one mile off of Highway 200 between Killdeer and Dunn Center, Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge contains 4,034 acres of prairie, grasslands, and wetlands. Popular activities here include birding, hiking, photography, and general wildlife observation.
