North Dakota isn’t exactly known for being a prime hiking destination, but what people don’t know is that it has some absolutely fantastic hiking trails through all different types of landscapes. You can trek across the badlands or hike through wooded river valleys and have an amazing experience all the same. Check out some of the best hiking trails the Peace Garden State has to offer:
- Maah Daah Hey Trail
Roderick Eime/Flickr The Maah Daah Hey trail certainly isn’t for the faint of heart, but its definitely North Dakota’s most well known trails and for a good reason. This 90+ mile trail system will take you across the rugged terrain of the badlands. You’ll go over the ridges, down across creeks, and through the most scenic parts of the western prairie. Most use it as a biking trail, but you can take it on foot, too. It also comes in sections so you don’t have to take on the entire thing. It is located in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
- Wildwood Trail
NDPRD/Flickr The truly gorgeous Gunlogson Nature Preserve in North Dakota’s Icelandic State Park, located near Cavalier, has a great trail going through it that will let you experience the beauty of the forest. The preserve is heavily wooded and is gorgeous year round, whether during the lush green summers or in the colorful fall season.
- Wind Canyon Trail
Jerry Briix/Flickr Discover one of North Dakota’s most breathtaking views on the Wind Canyon Trail. This hike is short and sweet and well worth it. It’ll take you to a spot that overlooks the Little Missouri River as it winds through the badlands it helped carve in the South Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora, ND.
- Munch’s Coulee National Recreation Trail
Jennifer Jewett/USFWS/Flickr Now how stunning is that? Take a trail through the grassy, hilly plains surrounding the ever pretty Des Lacs Lake on this mile-long trail. This one is located in the Des Lacs NWR near Kenmare, ND.
- Jones Creek Trail
Justin Meissen/Flickr Take an epic adventure through the lesser-explored parts of North Dakota’s one and only national park on the Jones Creek Trail. You’ll travel through the brush and native grasses where the bison and wild horses roam and see some truly beautiful landscapes.
- Lake Metigoshe Loop Trail
TakinLotsaPictures/Tripadvisor By combining the Eagle, Scout, and Tenderfoot trails in North Dakota’s Lake Metigoshe State Park, you get a perfect loop trail of about 2.4 miles long. This meandering, peaceful trail will lead you through the forests and marshes and give you spectacular sights of the beautiful lake. It’s an unforgettable experience!
Do you have a favorite hiking trail in North Dakota? The Maah Daah Hey trail is definitely one of mine, and you can find even more information about it by clicking here!
Roderick Eime/Flickr
The Maah Daah Hey trail certainly isn’t for the faint of heart, but its definitely North Dakota’s most well known trails and for a good reason. This 90+ mile trail system will take you across the rugged terrain of the badlands. You’ll go over the ridges, down across creeks, and through the most scenic parts of the western prairie. Most use it as a biking trail, but you can take it on foot, too. It also comes in sections so you don’t have to take on the entire thing. It is located in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
NDPRD/Flickr
The truly gorgeous Gunlogson Nature Preserve in North Dakota’s Icelandic State Park, located near Cavalier, has a great trail going through it that will let you experience the beauty of the forest. The preserve is heavily wooded and is gorgeous year round, whether during the lush green summers or in the colorful fall season.
Jerry Briix/Flickr
Discover one of North Dakota’s most breathtaking views on the Wind Canyon Trail. This hike is short and sweet and well worth it. It’ll take you to a spot that overlooks the Little Missouri River as it winds through the badlands it helped carve in the South Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora, ND.
Jennifer Jewett/USFWS/Flickr
Now how stunning is that? Take a trail through the grassy, hilly plains surrounding the ever pretty Des Lacs Lake on this mile-long trail. This one is located in the Des Lacs NWR near Kenmare, ND.
Justin Meissen/Flickr
Take an epic adventure through the lesser-explored parts of North Dakota’s one and only national park on the Jones Creek Trail. You’ll travel through the brush and native grasses where the bison and wild horses roam and see some truly beautiful landscapes.
TakinLotsaPictures/Tripadvisor
By combining the Eagle, Scout, and Tenderfoot trails in North Dakota’s Lake Metigoshe State Park, you get a perfect loop trail of about 2.4 miles long. This meandering, peaceful trail will lead you through the forests and marshes and give you spectacular sights of the beautiful lake. It’s an unforgettable experience!
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