Explore North Dakota's Badlands At This Underrated State Park
By Tori Jane|Published August 15, 2022
×
Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Hidden away in North Dakota is a little town called Medora. It’s easily one of our favorite small towns in North Dakota, and for lots of good reasons – for starters, it’s an excellent jump-off point if you’re looking to explore the Great Outdoors, thanks to its proximity to some of the best state parks in North Dakota (not to mention the single greatest National Park in the entire region). But there’s one park that’s often tragically overlooked thanks to its being in the shadow of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and we think it deserves a lot more love than it gets. Come see why Sully Creek State Park is easily one of the most underrated state parks in North Dakota!
Sully Creek State Park is quite close to Theodore Roosevelt National Park; sitting less than three miles apart, it might be difficult to realize there's another park here at all.
It's a quiet alternative to the single most popular attraction in our entire state and we adore its ability to provide a quiet respite from a bustling world. It's snuggled right along the scenic, 274-mile-long Little Missouri River, and let us tell you: it. Is. Splendid.
It's not enormous - it measures just over 63 acres in size.
But that's okay - you don't need an insanely high acreage to ensure a good time in the middle of nowhere. Thanks to being so close to its more popular sister, Sully Creek State Park tends to be nice and tranquil spread evenly over all 60+ acres.
Advertisement
The trails that run through the park are a real hidden gem in North Dakota, including the legendary Maah Daah Hey Trail.
Not only is it the longest hike in North Dakota, but it's also one of the most outrageously scenic. Even folks who aren't all that creatively inclined will want to bring a good camera for this one - everywhere you turn is like something out of a postcard.
Few things are as amazing as looking up in the dead of night and seeing billions of stars in infinite layers twinkling overhead. At some times of the year, the Milky Way is visible. At other times, this makes for one of the best places to watch meteor showers and other celestial events.
We're not sure which is better: the sunrises or the sunsets.
Do keep in mind that there is an entry fee for people AND horses, so make sure to check the website for the most up-to-date information.
Now that you’ve been to Sully Creek State Park, are you curious about its sister? Be sure to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park sometime – you won’t regret it.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
