Lone Tree Loop

Lone Tree Loop is a strenuous backcountry circuit in the South Unit, starting at Peaceful Valley Ranch and linking Big Plateau country with Tomamichael Spring. The dedicated backcountry page lists 9.1 miles; another park hiking page gives 9.6 miles for the ranch approach, so budget against the longer figure. Allow five to six hours. This is a full day in remote badlands, not a quick stop between scenic-drive overlooks.

From the ranch, follow Ekblom toward Big Plateau. The mapped loop uses a connector on the Petrified Forest Loop to reach the Lone Tree Spring route, then returns along the Maah Daah Hey and Ekblom trails. That connector is only part of the Petrified Forest route. The other listed approach uses the Maah Daah Hey to avoid a river crossing, but adds 3.2 miles round trip.

The route drops from rolling prairie into creek valleys and climbs back onto the plateau. Expect steep terrain and difficult stream crossings; the east-side descent is the sharper one. The trail is remote, and a less-worn stretch needs attention to route-finding. Check with the visitor center about river depth before setting out. If you want a shorter day, the park also lists the 5.4-mile Big Plateau Loop, though that route still has steep ground and a river crossing.

The path passes Tomamichael Spring/Well, a concrete basin in the valley. Treat it as a landmark, not a drinking-water stop: backcountry springs and wells are not approved water sources, so carry everything you need. The route crosses soft sedimentary layers cut by the Little Missouri River and its tributaries; water, wind, ice and plants keep reshaping these slopes. A juniper in the foreground frames a particularly good view across the green valley and pale badland bluffs.

Peaceful Valley Ranch began in the late 1800s, became a dude ranch in the 1920s, and served as a CCC/WPA headquarters in the 1930s. It later housed park headquarters and then guided horseback rides until 2014. The trail starts at a place with a long working history of its own.

There is no approved drinking water in the backcountry. Pets, bicycles and motorized equipment are prohibited there. A free permit is required for overnight backcountry camping.