Outdoor
The heart and soul of the Wild West.
North Dakota is a place where adventurers find satisfaction, and families follow the trails of
legends like Theodore Roosevelt, General George Custer, Lewis & Clark and Sakakawea. What these legends found here then, still exists today. The true West is a rich and colorful place. You will see that as you hike the world-renowned Maah Daah Hey Trail along the Little Missouri River and across buttes bright with wildflowers. You'll see it at ND's world-class hometown rodeos (the Killdeer Mountain Roundup Rodeo is one of the nation's oldest) where families cheer on their local heroes, while wizened ranchers man the chutes. And the intensity of an American Indian powwow vividly brings the western experience full circle. Visit during the United Tribes International Powwow in Bismarck to see one of the most impressive displays of cultural pride in the nation.
Wild West, Ranch & Rodeo.
ND's dusty trails
What's more authentic than seeing ND from a saddle? Several outfits and destinations offer rentals, corrals and guided rides.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park (K-3) The South Unit of the park features more than 80 miles of marked trails, plus countless unmarked trails. Riders are permitted in all areas of the park, except camping and picnicking areas and nature trails. A horse campground is available in the South Unit by reservation; backcountry horse camping is allowed. Horse rentals and guided trail rides are available. Maah Daah Hey Trail (K-3 H-4) The 97-mile trail winds its way from the U.S. Forest Service CCC Campground, 20 miles south of Watford City off Highway 85, to Sully Creek State Recreation Area south of Medora. Four fenced overnight campsites with hitching posts, vault toilets and campfire rings are located along the trail. Open all year, the trail can become impassable due to snow, ice, high water or mud. Sully Creek State Recreation Area (K-3) Those bringing their own horses into the Badlands frequently use Sully Creek with its horse corrals and primitive camping facilities. Located near Medora, the park trails connect with those on the nearby Little Missouri National Grassland and Maah Daah Hey Trail. Little Missouri State Park (H-6) More than 30 miles of trails crisscross the Badlands terrain of the 5,749-acre park, mostly accessible only on horseback or on foot. Corrals are provided and guided tours and horse rentals are available. Turtle Mountain State Forest (B-13) More than 7,000 acres provide miles of winding, scenic trails in the heavily wooded Turtle Mountains. Both day-long riding facilities and primitive camping are available at Strawberry Lake.
Horseback riding, Jason Lindsey
Sheyenne National Grassland (M-22) and Little Missouri National Grassland (M-2 - H-4) Explore the 70,000-acre Sheyenne National Grassland on horseback, including a 25mile segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Established trails can be found in the million-acre-plus Little Missouri National Grassland, and campgrounds are available for horseback groups. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park (K-11) Trail riding here brings you closer to the rich military and early American Indian history celebrated at this important infantry and cavalry post from which Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and the 7th Cavalry rode to the Little Bighorn.
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