Billings County

Billings County covers badlands terrain in western North Dakota and encompasses the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park as well as the Little Missouri National Grassland. The landscape combines open grasslands with eroded ridges and draws, dotted with sparse settlements and ranching areas.

The county was named in 1886 after Frederick H. Billings, president of the Northern Pacific Railway, who shaped railroad development in the region. Its establishment reflected the broader settlement of the badlands through railroad and ranching operations.

The roughly 945 residents practice traditions rooted in German, Ukrainian, and Norwegian heritage, evident in local gatherings and community events throughout the year.

Access comes via Interstate 94 and U.S. Highway 85 running through the county, linking to Medora and the national park. Visitors should prepare for limited services in remote areas and carry adequate fuel and supplies.

The Maah Daah Hey Trail crosses the county on a route reserved for hikers and horseback riders, offering passage through the badlands formation at a slower pace. This foot traffic-only path reveals the terrain in ways motorized routes cannot replicate.

Location: North Dakota

Inception: May 4, 1886

Capital city: Medora

Shares border with: McKenzie County, Dunn County, Stark County, Slope County, Golden Valley County

Website: http://billingscountynd.gov

GPS coordinates: 47.04000,-103.37000

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:40