A predominant feature of the grassland is colorful and beautiful badlands, a rugged terrain extensively eroded by wind and water.

[4][5] The Little Missouri River meanders through the grassland and White Butte, North Dakota's highest point, is located in the extreme southeast corner, south of the town of Amidon.

In descending order of land area, it is located in parts of McKenzie, Billings, Slope, and Golden Valley counties.

Within the boundaries of the national grassland are significant portions of state-owned and privately owned land, much of it leased by cattle ranchers for grazing.

[4] Oil and gas exploration, extraction, and distribution in the region has the potential for long term negative impacts on the soil, water, vegetation, and wildlife of the grassland, including threatened and endangered species.