Overview
North Dakota has three summits throught the state known as White Butte, however the one standing outside of the town of Amidon is the highest point in the entire state. Rising to an altitude of 1,069 m (3,507 ft) above sea-level, White Butte is the 30th highest state summit of the U.S. Highpoints. Most of the buttes in the area exhibit a chalky white color resulting from the bentonite clay found in the local rocks and soil. The area around this highpoint shows signs of fairly recent glaciation; the advance of these massive ice sheets scoured the land, leaving a mostly flat landscape with intermittent boulders carried there by the power of the glaciers. The topography of the area was formed where the rivers of ice did not cover the surface, thus leaving the buttes in the area. The last of the glaciers receeded at the end of the last ice age around 10,000 years ago. |  |  |  |  |
Getting There
From Amidon, ND:- Go E on US 85 for 2.0 miles to an unmarked gravel road.
- Turn S (R) on the road and continue on for 5.0 miles to another gravel road.
- Turn W (R) and continue 1.2 miles to the VanDaele's farmhouse.
Red Tape
Update: September 2004 - The land surrounding and including White Butte is owned by Daryle and Mary Dennis. As a courtesy, permission to cross their property may be obtained from the Dennis’s. The Dennis’s phone number is (701) 879-6310. However‚ in the event no one is home to grant permission‚ it is not mandatory. Remember‚ White Butte is on private property. Please respect the rights of the property owner.Update: December 2003 - Our condolences go to the VanDaele & Buzalsky families for the passing of Mrs. Angeline VanDaele on 20 October 2003. I know that myself, as well as many other hikers, enjoyed getting to know her when visiting White Butte, and we are all saddened to know that she will no longer be there to greet us. During this time, it is not certain what sort of access issues may arise, but please be especially respectful of the family's wishes.
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When To Climb
Each season brings different challenges. Winter usually sees cold temperatures and significant snowfall, however, warm clothing can take care of this problem. During Summer, the butte country crawls with rattlesnakes making this an unfavorable time to complete this hike, especially if bringing any canine companions. Spring and Fall are probably the best times to visit White Butte.Mountain Conditions
The property owners, Daryle and Mary Dennis, can be contacted with questions, however, please keep the calls to reasonable hours (Central Time). Their phone number is (701) 879-6310. |  |
Miscellaneous Info
White Butte, while best-known for its status as a state highpoint, is also the highest point of North Dakota's Slope County. Nearby Black Butte is the second highest point in the state and stands 1,056 m (3,465 ft) high with a 139 m (455 ft) prominence from its parent, White Butte. |  |
External Links
- Winter Ascent of White Butte
A winter climb of North Dakota's highest point.
- America's Roof Guide to White Butte
Information page maintained by the Highpointer's Club.
- White Butte (07/02/2005)
Additions and Corrections
[ Post an Addition or Correction ]
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| Klenke | Untitled Comment | |
Voted 10/10 | Note that Mrs. Van Daele is now no longer alive. She died in October 2003. | |
| Posted Jan 9, 2006 3:24 pm | ||
| Klenke | Untitled Comment | |
Voted 10/10 | I had heard from another highpointer on Harney Peak, SD that she charged $20/car to access White Butte, so I purposely took all but $5 out of my wallet before I got there. Then, when she brought up the $20 fee, I reached for my wallet and said "Oh, I don't think I have $20. All I have is $5." She was nice enough to accept the $5 as full payment. She said since I was alone she'd make the exception. Thus, I scored a deep discount there, thinking it outrageous to spend $20 to climb that high point. However, she was a very nice lady that I found very easy to chatter with. I don't feel at all bad about my subreption. | |
| Posted Sep 30, 2003 9:40 pm | ||
| woodstrider | Untitled Comment | |
Hasn't voted | The owners have a mail box placed at the last intersection before the old homestead (or about 1/8 of a mile before the abandoned homestead) for depostion of the required fees. | |
| Posted Sep 8, 2005 7:39 pm | ||
| mad maximus | Untitled Comment | |
Hasn't voted | When you arrive at the end of th dirt road leading to the farm house you will find a mailbox. Your donation of 10.00 per vehicle can be made there. | |
| Posted Jan 9, 2006 2:24 pm | ||
| Stansbury | Updated directions | |
Hasn't voted | I did this yesterday and wanted to put the current details. From Main St. in Amidon go ~ 2 miles north and then turn right onto an unmarked gravel road. From there drive ~ 4.8 miles and turn right onto a gravel/dirt drive. From there it's ~ .9 miles to a donation mailbox (see images). According to HighPointers.org the expected donation is $10. Turn left at this point, don't continue to the farmhouse. The road at this point is passable in a sedan if the weather has been nice. I was lucky that it was dry as I'm sure in worse conditions it would be difficult. Consider parking at the mailbox if you're unsure about the road as it's only a mile to the trailhead. However, from the mailbox you can go .7 miles to a wider spot where hikers are encouraged to park. You may also go another .2 miles on slightly rougher road at which point the road ends and there's a gate to the trail. Obviously the gate is there for a reason so please close it completely. The trail is clear enough and moderate difficulty. WATCH FOR SNAKES. We came within inches of stepping on a rattlesnake and one other snake of undetermined species. Views are great, you may see some other wildlife, it's a nice high point to complete. | |
| Posted Sep 15, 2009 11:12 am | ||
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| txmountaineer | Re: Updated directions | |
Hasn't voted | Thanks!! | |
| Posted Oct 19, 2009 10:57 pm | ||
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| jhculbert | Re: Updated directions | |
Hasn't voted | Yes, it is important to emphasize NOT to drive all the way to the abandoned farm yard! Instead, go left (South) at the donation mailbox. Any signs of a trail from the farm yard may be covered over by prairie vegetation, necessitating cross country travel South to the peak. | |
| Posted Jun 28, 2011 10:45 pm | ||
| jrlang45 | Directions | |
Hasn't voted | Just returned from a highpointing trip to that area. Google and Garmin have made it easier to find the trailhead... the turn off of US 85 outside of Amidon is 140th Street, although there is no street sign (both Google and our Garmin recognized it). At the 5 mile point on 140th Street, the right hand turn is 67th Street, according to the Garmin. Google had it as an unnamed road, although Google DOES have that road plus the wagon road to the butte on its maps. When you get near the farmhouse, you'll see the mailbox along with an oil drum reading "Road Closed" on the left at the start of the wagon road (another, real road will intersect on the right). Driving that wagon road requires some clearance, and the clay/sand mix at parts is deceptively soft. Be careful.. we walked from the mailbox. When you get to the butte, stick to the fence on the left side, including on the way up the initial gulch... you will eventually find yourself approaching a small grove of stunted trees, this is how you know you're on the right trail. It will take you across the grass field from the trees to the butte, go up the butte and eventually cross you over to the other side. Once you get to the ridge on top of the butte the trail is very clear and worn, and you can see the cairn at the highpoint. Walk another 1/5th mile on the top and you're there. | |
| Posted May 6, 2013 6:41 pm | ||
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