Magpie and Whitetail Road Closures - Medora Ranger District

The Federal Highway Administration-Central Federal Lands Highway Division (FHWA-CFLHD), in conjunction with Billings County, North Dakota, North Dakota Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Forest Service-Little Missouri National Grasslands (USFS) is replacing existing informal low water crossings to address inundated road safety concerns and improved access to the Little Missouri National Grasslands (LMNG), North Dakota.

Billings County and the USFS identified the opportunity to replace existing informal low water crossings to provide year-round and safe access routes for recreationists to the Magpie Campground and Whitetail picnic area in the LMNG.

Construction has started on both projects requiring closure of the road crossings during the construction phase.

Public access to the Magpie Campground and trailhead is still available on Magpie road from the east off of Hwy 85.  A detour has been established to access the northwest end of Magpie road or to travel into McKenze county, approximately 14 miles north to Beicegel Creek Rd. 

Public access to the Whitetail Picnic area is detoured south on Hwy 85 approximately 2 miles to the Fairfield common road.

The road closures are anticipated to continue throughout the summer.