2014 Map of Square Butte

About this map

Little Missouri National Grassland dominates this portion of Golden Valley County, where the high plains of western North Dakota are etched by seasonal waterways. The landscape is defined by the prominent Square Butte, a distinct geological landmark rising above the surrounding draws and ridges. Human activity in this remote area is primarily shaped by natural resource extraction and ranching access, evidenced by the Square Butte Oil Field and a network of gravel roads including Square Butte Rd and Garner Creek Rd. Drainage patterns are dictated by intermittent streams such as Fisher Run, Garner Cr, and Dry Cr, which carve through the badlands-style terrain. This 2014 survey documents the modern footprint of the energy industry within the federal grassland, showing how well sites and access routes intersect with the drainage basins of the Little Missouri river system.