Most People Don’t Know There’s A Fountain Of Youth Hiding Deep In North Dakota's Woods
By Tori Jane|Published January 12, 2022
×
Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
North Dakota isn’t exactly known for its plentiful waterfalls. Unlike other states, North Dakota is “drier,” so to speak, and doesn’t offer much of anything in terms of epic, cascading waterfall experiences. Sure, there are some rivers and a handful of lakes, but we are mysteriously lacking in the falls department. There is, however, one natural waterfall in the entire state; it requires a brief hike to access, and it’s fed by one of the very few North Dakota natural springs running underground. According to some, springs such as this one hold special healing “abilities,” and folks seek them out to soak them up and enjoy their beauty.
"Mineral Springs Trail" is pretty self-explanatory.
The trail is 4.3 miles round-trip (a bit over two miles out and two miles back), and it can be found nestled in Sheyenne State Forest near Fort Ransom.
It's a fascinating place thanks to its uniqueness, and no matter what motivates you, you're sure to find something intriguing about it.
Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the splended natural beauty of the area, and earth science buffs will be interested in seeing a rare North Dakota treat courtesy of mama nature herself: the mineral spring, which drops eight feet down into the Sheyenne River.
Advertisement
It's truly gorgeous, and it's a treat to see year-round.
Of course, your best bet is to go out just after a good rainstorm, or during snowmelt in spring. The runoff waters engorge the river, ensuring a truly photogenic landscape unlike any other you'll ever find in North Dakota.
During the winter months, bugs aren't an issue, but during spring, summer (ESPECIALLY summer), and parts of autumn, one can expect to encounter plenty of insects. You ARE trekking into wildlands, after all.
Naturally, the springs aren't the ONLY draw to this splendid, laid-back hike - there's plenty of gorgeous woodlands and prairies along the way.
Perhaps even best of all: this trail is lightly-trekked, so you're not likely to run into crowds on any given day (though your best odds are during the week at daytime).
So, what are your thoughts? Do you have any favorite hidden gems in North Dakota you’d like to see us cover? Tell us about them in the comments – we love hearing from you!
