Beyond the Highway: A Scenic Guide Through McKenzie County
Travis Bateman
Farmer Staff Writer
Want to explore McKenzie County beyond the highway, but not sure where to start?
With thousands of miles of county roads cutting through badlands, river valleys, and open prairie, even longtime residents can feel overwhelmed when trying to plan a scenic drive. Most travelers experience western North Dakota from the seat of a vehicle on a major highway - routes designed for efficiency, not exploration.
But step off those highways, and the landscape changes quickly.
This guide offers a flexible, loop-style route through some of McKenzie County’s most overlooked terrain. There’s no required starting point or strict order - just a collection of connected roads that showcase the variety, scale, and quiet beauty of the region.
All that’s needed is a reliable vehicle, a bit of planning, and a willingness to take the long way around.
For the full story, visit www.watfordcitynd.com and subscribe to the McKenzie County Farmer today!