Come for the Buffalo stay for the Road
There are few greater driver’s roads than those the government has provided us in our National Parks. The speed limit tends to be low, but the roads are smooth, scenic, and uncrowded if you time things right.
I have never been to Whales. I probably never will. I don’t even know that much about Whales other than it is wet and has “some of the most amazing driving roads ever” according to many magazines. On an early morning cruise through TR National Park I came as close to Whales as I probably ever will on this side of the Atlantic.
One such entertaining road resides in North Dakota right over the boarder from Montana. Theodore Roosevelt National Park sits as the northern cousin to the vast Badlands National Park of South Dakota. This scenic area has its own character, a much more approachable size compared to the southern park, and a herd of Bison that most people will see but like to hide from people out for an early cruise.
The only proof I saw that Bison live in the park was indirect.
Approximately 25 miles of the 35 mile loop through the park is a tempting ribbon of shiny new pavement. The kind that just begs for rubber to be laid down on it and limits to be tested.
Keep in mind there are large four legged beasts roaming behind those blind corners though. Reign in your right foot and you will be rewarded with majestic scenery that pulls at our collective memories of an open unspoiled west. Exactly the kind of thing that caused people to uproot their lives and move into the unknown. It’s all there for you in a 45 minute loop along with a gift shop.
Ideal Car: Mazda Miata or another momentum car. Just enough power to make things interesting at low speeds. That or a real torque monster with a lot of braking after some hard acceleration down low, but forget about any gear other than second or third. Maybe a supercharged Lotus Exige?
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