Crow Flies High State Recreation Area — Attraction in Shell Creek Segment

Please read to end. Important safety warnings. Not to be missed view. Rt. 23, East of Four Bears Bridge. Sign: Historical Site Quick, easy access to a medium-size, round paved area. Historical plaques and U.S. Army Core of Engineers geological bronze marker. Unobstructed view of Lake Sakakawea, Four Bears Bridge and Badlands Bluffs. During low water, foundations of original town of Sanish can be seen in the water. William Clark used the bluff as a look out point while waiting to reunite with Meriwether Lewis. On the calmest day, you'll find wind blowing. No matter what the weather, you don't have to get out of the car to enjoy the breath-taking view. Pets on leash allowed. *Trash, mostly glass, too apparent. :( There's a steep, dirt path for the adventurous. National Park description says 253 acres. Most acreage is steep, rugged terrain sloping 500' to the waters below. Beware of loose soil!!!!! Rock Climbing: At 63 yrs., I climbed down the bluff with two children. Loose, crumbly rock/soil. Easy to lose footing & locate pickly pear catctus. We could not climb back up due to loose soil. We hiked N to Rt.23, walked E. on the "walking path" then back up the hill to the bluff. After making it back in one piece, I'd suggest only *expert climbers attempt this climb.Tying off line would have to be hitched to you bumper. *Danger! During or after rain or winter run-off, clay soil and run-off areas are totally unpredictable. Do not leave upper grass area. *Bird lovers can see a variety of birds including *2015 sightings: Western Blue Bird, white pelican, golden eagle, sea gull, cliff swallow and more. *Botanists: ND State flower- Prarie Crocus, 2-5" tall. Late winter, early spring. LOVELY FLOWER: Prarie Smoke/Smoke over the Prairie. Late Spring, before seed heads open, 8-10" in height, drooping, maroon heads vie with Bleeding Hearts in their beauty. Early/Mid-Summer: 8-10", fluffy seed heads. Plant location: within 20' around the single tree in the grass. Prickly Pear Cactus summer blooms go from yellow to peach as they age. Various wild flowers. Rock Hounds: clay, sand, sm....

Scenic veiw overlooking Lake Sacajawea, see the Buttes in the distance, gaze down where Lewis and Clark made their way up the Missouri River, of course there was no lake in those days, only the untamed and wild frontier and the inhabitants... the Native Americans who helped Lewis and Clark through winter and provided knowledge of the lands and people's they had yet to meet on the journey. Lewis and Clark went ashore in the Crow Flies High area, a small commemorative sign marks the date and purpose of...

Best view of the area. I have run into issues with access. Apparently sometimes an elder will padlock it and law enforcement will not unlock until park service calls and asks them to do so. So you have to call and report it to the park service when it happens. A little concerned it wont be available when it's returned to the tribe, because local law enforcement said they didnt know anything about the lock and nothing happened until the park service got involved. So, I guess...see it...