Bentonitic Clay Overlook sits at 2,435 feet on the Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit Scenic Byway, facing east across terrain that drops 289 feet within 600 meters. The overlook is set on a plateau, giving views over layered rock formations of the badlands; several of the buttes visible from this point are capped with bluish gray bentonite clay. Named features in view include Stony Johnny Butte to the northeast at 5.7 miles and Clay Butte to the north-northeast at 6.1 miles, both under 2,500 feet in elevation. Farther out, Square Top rises to 2,602 feet to the southeast at 8.8 miles, with Lone Butte beyond it at 13.3 miles and 2,705 feet, and Skunk Hill at 20.3 miles to the east-southeast. Because the overlook faces almost directly toward sunrise, morning light crosses the badlands formations directly; December sunrise occurs at 8:40 and June sunrise at 5:56. Watford City lies 13.1 miles to the north-northeast. The byway continues from Riverbend Overlook to this stop and on to Oxbow Overlook. Visitors continuing along the plateau may watch for bison grazing in the surrounding grassland.
Named terrain inside the view from this overlook, nearest first.
This overlook faces sunrise — 0° off square to it.
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Golden hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | 07:57 | 20:06 | 19:26 |
| June solstice | 05:56 | 21:56 | 21:07 |
| September equinox | 07:41 | 19:53 | 19:13 |
| December solstice | 08:40 | 17:05 | 16:12 |
Local time (America/Chicago). Computed for this exact position.
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This overlook set high on a plateau allows you to look out over layers of rock that form the badlands. Many of the buttes you see are capped withbluish gray bentonite clay. As you continue along the plateau keep on the lookout for bison that may be grazing in the grassland.
Bentonitic Clay Overlook sits at about 2,435 feet (742 m).
From Bentonitic Clay Overlook: Stony Johnny Butte (NE, 5.7 mi); Clay Butte (NNE, 6.1 mi); Square Top (SE, 8.8 mi); Lone Butte (SE, 13 mi).
Sunrise. The land falls away from Bentonitic Clay Overlook toward the sunrise, so at sunset the light is behind you. Exact times shift through the year; the page shows the current window.
Watford City, 13 miles NNE of Bentonitic Clay Overlook.
Oxbow Overlook is the next surfaced lookout along the same route after Bentonitic Clay Overlook.
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