Outdoor
Epic adventures for the whole family.
From east to west, ND has an array of hiking and
biking trails friendly to family trekkers and hardcore mountain bikers looking for the next challenge. Bikers, hikers and horseback riders have found Nirvana on the nationally recognized Maah Daah Hey Trail, where soaring buttes, rolling grasslands and challenging downhills overlook prehistoric river beds dotted with wildflowers and stunning landscape near Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Whether hiking, riding, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, you will be inspired by the beauty along the North Country Trail, a series of trails from Lake Sakakawea to Devils Lake and the Sheyenne River's scenic valley. The winding paths through the Pembina Gorge and Lake Metigoshe create opportunities to hike or bike birch-laden hills and valleys along wooded lakes and creeks. Whether you prefer two feet or two wheels, North Dakota has a trail for you.
Hiking.
DESTINATION TRAILS
From a day hike to days of roughing it, ND's destination trails - the North Country and the Maah Daah Hey - are epic in their beauty and scope, and adventures unto themselves.
Maah Daah Hey Trail This nationally acclaimed 97-mile trail begins at Sully Creek State Recreation Area, south of historic Medora, and meanders north through the stunning South and North units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Little Missouri National Grassland. The Maah Daah Hey II extension south of Medora will open in 2010. www.mdhta.com U.S. Forest Service, 701-227-7800; National Park Service, 701-623-4466; ND Parks and Recreation Department, 701-328-5357 North Country National Scenic Trail Following the shores of Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon, this trail continues along the Garrison Diversion Project canals. At the Sheyenne River, the trail route loops northward to Fort Totten State Historic Site near Devils Lake and back down to the scenic forested valley south to Fort Ransom State Park, Sheyenne State Forest and the Sheyenne National Grasslands. www.northcountrytrail.org/srv/pages/contact.php 701-845-1891
ND's Best Hikes ND's state parks, wildlife management areas and refuges, grasslands, national parks, historic sites and recreation areas offer hiking variety. You'll find trails with self-guided interpretive walks perfect for families, and Badlands treks best suited to veteran hikers. Some of the best hiking areas: 1. ND State Parks A variety of hiking experiences within the state's parks. www.parkrec.nd.gov 701-328-5357 2. Wildlife Refuges Wildlife observation on interpretive foot trails. www.fws.gov 701-250-4481 3. Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site (I-10) Historic and beautiful, 5 mi N on County Rd. 37 near Stanton www.nps.gov/knri 701-745-3300 4. Fort Union National Historic Site (F-2) At the Yellowstone and Missouri River confluence 24 mi SW of Williston. www.nps.gov/fous 701-572-9083 5. Theodore Roosevelt National Park (K-3 H-4) Hiking and nature trails for every age group and skill level. www.nps.gov/thro 701-623-4466 (S. Unit); 701-842-2333 (N. Unit) 6. Sheyenne National Grassland (M-22) Bountiful hiking opportunities, Hwy. 27 E of Lisbon. www.fs.fed.us/r1/dakotaprairie 701-683-4342 7. Little Missouri National Grassland (M-2 H-4) Badlands and grasslands on Hwy. 85 N and S of Belfield. www.fs.fed.us/r1/dakotaprairie 701-227-7800 (South); 701-842-2393 (North) 8. Turtle Mountain State Forest (B-13) Heavily wooded hills and trails 5 mi W of Lake Metigoshe. www.ndsu.nodak.edu/forestservice/stateforest/turtle_mtn.htm 701-228-5422
North Unit Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Dan Koeck
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