Bentonitic Clay Overlook

This small plateau viewpoint in the North Unit looks over striped badlands, with blue-gray clay caps above pale slopes and green ravines. It's a quick pull-off for a close look at the layers; the small parking area has eight spaces, a strip of concrete sidewalk, and a wooden information sign. The North Unit's scenic road is 14 miles one way, or 28 miles out and back, so allow at least 1 hour 15 minutes for the drive before adding stops. There are no food or visitor services in the unit, so stock up before you go.

Look east for the blue-gray bentonite and ash below pale yellow siltstone. The sign describes the bentonite as blue-black, popcorn-like clay and notes that it can flow when wet. Bison may graze in the grassland nearby, so watch from a safe distance. For a photo, keep the gray layer and yellow rock above it in the same frame; that color contrast is the overlook's signature.

The yellow siltstone about 20 feet above the ash is especially rich in freshwater mollusk fossils. These river and lake sediments formed roughly 60 to 55 million years ago, then erosion by the Little Missouri River carved the badlands into the buttes and gullies visible from the plateau.