Killdeer Mountain Four Bears Scenic Byway

Motorcycle Route Author

By MCR Contributor (1039 McR Points) on May 22, 2011

Rider Reviews

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lozza74

2 McR Points

August 14, 2013

I am sitting in a Bagel shop in Minot, ND after…

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georgewpg

2 McR Points

July 29, 2012

Just rode the route for second time in July 2012…

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Written Directions

The route actually begins on Highway 22 at Manning, 23 miles north of Dickinson in western North Dakota. It connects with Highway 23 and proceeds east to New Town. It is a designated North Dakota scenic byway. To find out more on this route and other North Dakota scenic byways, go to North Dakota Parks and Rec web site.

Scenery

This route takes you through some of the best scenery in western North Dakota. Rolling hills and long climbs near Killdeer give way to rolling hills, the rugged Killdeer Mountains and finally the Badlands. The road twists its way down into the valley, its shoulders falling away sharply into the deep Badlands. The route, Highway 22, crosses Lost Bridge over the Little Missouri River and enters the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. It continues north through rolling hills, woody draws and onto high plateaus with high buttes on the horizons. The scenery is unbelievable, especially entering and riding through the Badlands. Be sure to stop at the pull-off near lost bridge and look back up the twisting road you just came down. Depending on the sun angle, it makes a great picture.

Drive Enjoyment

North Dakota Highway 22 is well maintained. It has long ascents and descents in the Manning-Killdeer area and enters the rugged Badlands north of Killdeer. North of the Little Missouri River, it climbs quickly to a high plateau with wooded draws and steep climbs and descents.

Tourism Opportunities

Killdeer, Watford City and New Town are the larger cities along and at either end of the route. You can find motel lodging, campgrounds, entertainment and food stops there. New Town has a casino and a new Indian earth lodge village.

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lozza74

August 14, 2013

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Enduro

I am sitting in a Bagel shop in Minot, ND after having just finished this ride. I am on a cross continent ride and detoured to Dickinson to do this ride. Since the original review was written the oil boom has come to North Dakota. This road has now been turned into a main road for the heavy equipment to move in and out. That which hasn't been has been ripped up and in the process. There is heavy equipment, trucks and dust everywhere. I was passed by a semi trailer downhill at 65mph. Never in my life have I been so happy to see an interstate. How I wish I had have been able to ride it in the days when the original post was written!

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georgewpg

July 29, 2012

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Just rode the route for second time in July 2012. There is extensive construction, mostly softening some of the curves, and widening the shoulders. In some cases they've literally carved the tops off some of the scenic knolls in order to obtain great amounts of fill. I hope that the finished product will still be reasonably fun to ride as it was before this "improvement". I loved the route as it was.

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4 riders found this road review useful

Photo Gallery of Killdeer Mountain Four Bears Scenic Byway (7 Photos)