Last Updated on: 2nd August 2025, 08:14 am
Not many people would expect the highest point of a particular state to be a hidden gem. But that’s exactly the case with White Butte, North Dakota, a geological formation located in the remote southwestern part of the state.
While not the easiest place to reach, White Butte can be visited and hiked as a stopover between the two Dakotas. In the following guide, we’ll be covering what to expect from the short yet scenic trail.
For more information on reaching White Butte and where to stay in the area, be sure to check the end of the article.
White Butte: North Dakota's Highest Point
Reaching White Butte by car is an adventure in its own right, which you can learn more about below. You’ll find the trailhead near a small parking area. The gate may appear closed at first, but try lifting it up and you should be able to pass through.
White Butte exists on private land owned by Mary Dennis, who has been generous enough to allow the public access. There’s no official fee, but they do request donations.
There’s no staff on site, but visitors can support White Butte’s maintenance by inserting cash into a donation box.
This land was originally acquired by the United States in the Louisiana Purchase. And in 1902, this particular area was granted to the Northern Pacific Railroad.
The NPRR then began selling off parcels of land in 1915. Ownership of White Butte changed hands numerous times until it was acquired by Rueben Buzalsky in the 1950s, and it’s remained in the family ever since.
Hiking to the top of White Butte and back should only take about an hour roundtrip. Sure, it may be North Dakota’s highest point at 3506 feet above sea level, but the hike itself only has an elevation gain of 337 feet (103 m).
In fact, you’ll encounter more elevation gain at various hikes throughout Theodore Roosevelt National Park. With that said, White Butte is still a beautiful area that’s ideal for those who like to get really off the beaten path.
At just 1.7 miles out and back, this is a rather easy and straightforward hike, and you shouldn’t have any trouble following the trail without an app. You can find the trail featured on AllTrails, however.
White Butte is comprised of three main geologic formations: Arikaree, Brule and Chadron.
At the bottom is the Chadron Formation, deposited between 32 and 34 million years ago. Its very bottom layer is comprised of white sandstones and sandy mudstones, while above that is bentonite that appears both brown and gray-green. The two Chadron sections together add up to around 200 feet.
Above it is the Brule Formation, which is only about 25 feet thick. It’s comprised of white siltsone.
And at the top is the Arikaree Formation, deposited between 5.3 to 23 million years ago. It’s a harder formation that has protected the softer layers beneath from completely eroding away.
The Arikaree Formation consists of cross-bedded limestones and sandstones, not to mentions siltsones and bentonite. Some of the rocks even contain fragments of mammal bones.
As mentioned, the trail is mostly straightforward, though you will encounter a couple of switchbacks as you make your way higher.
After mostly being surrounded by badlands, the trail will then briefly take you through a grassy meadow. Be sure to occasionally look back for great views of the unique formations.
White Butte, North Dakota truly feels like being in the middle of nowhere. The nearest town is said to be Abidon, with a population of no more than 24. Looking off into the distance, I could see a farm, but no other signs of civilization.
Unsurprisingly, I didn’t encounter any other hikers.
Near the top of the hike, you’ll find yourself overlooking trees and rolling green hills. But turn your head to see badlands formations very reminiscent of nearby Theodore Roosevelt National Park or Badlands National Park further south.
Following the trail, I found myself at the summit, which was frankly a bit anticlimactic given the ease and shortness of the hike. Nevertheless, I can confirm that the views from the highest point of North Dakota area indeed beautiful.
Before turning around, I noticed that the trail continued further along the butte, and I walked along it to check out the views from various angles.
Looking back, I can’t say that White Butte can compete with the more impressive overlooks of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, but I was still glad that I made the trip. In any case, be sure to make the National Park your top priority during your visit to the state.
I then made the descent, admiring the views of these ancient badlands once more. Unsurprisingly, no other visitors had shown up, and I was alone with the hum of countless dragonflies which surrounded me.
Additional Info
As mentioned above, White Butte makes for an interesting stopover when traveling between the two Dakotas – for example, between Deadwood and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
From Deadwood, South Dakota, it’s about a 2 hour and 45 minute drive, while from Medora, North Dakota, it’s about one hour.
After turning off the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway, the roads are unpaved but relatively smooth. While they are marked on Google Maps, they appear extremely faint on the app. That’s why it’s important to set the correct destination.
Be sure to choose ‘White Butte Trailhead’ and not just ‘White Butte’ when setting the destination.
The closest town to Theodore Roosevelt National Park is Medora, a charming and well-preserved Old West town. Hotels here, however, can be quite pricey. And there aren’t many options online other than AmericInn by Wyndham Medora.
The next best option is the city of Dickinson, about a 35-minute drive away. Dickinson is also about an hour and fifteen minutes from the park’s North Unit – not much further than the one-hour drive from Medora.
Dickinson is a rather unremarkable city of 25,000 people, albeit one that has plenty of shopping and dining options compared to Medora.
I stayed at the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham which was fine for the price. Other popular options include the Holiday Inn and Hawthorn Extended Stay.