Exploring This Hidden State Park In North Dakota Is The Definition Of An Underrated Adventure
By Tori Jane|Published January 08, 2024
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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.
Fun fact: there are just 13 state parks in North Dakota, and thanks to North Dakota’s status as the “least-visited” state in the U.S., you’re pretty much safe from crowds no matter where you go. That being said, our nothing-short-of-amazing Theodore Roosevelt National Park is by far the most popular place to visit, with just under a million visitors coming and going annually. But located not too far at all from TRNP is another, lesser-appreciated park. This gorgeous little, underrated state park in North Dakota is the perfect escape for adventure, if adventure is indeed what you crave – and there’s a high chance of very little (to no!) crowding.
Welcome to the majesty of Sully Creek State Park, which is just a stones' throw away from Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the gorgeous little town of Medora.
Canoeing and kayaking are both much-beloved pastimes during the warmer months; for those capable of great endurance, the river wanders for 274 scenic miles and is considered North Dakota's only State Scenic River route.
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The park is full of geological formations, stunning views, and vastly beautiful landscapes that are sure to impress.
Hiking is a very popular activity around here, and with two awesome trails to pick from (the Sully Creek Trail and the famous Maah Daah Hey Trail, which is quite the adventure at 144 miles long), you'll never get bored. Horseback riding and biking are other popular activities.
Take your pick from ten modern campsites with electric and water hookups, six modern equestrian sites for those with horses, and 12 primitive campsites suitable for old-school tent camping.
There are also two group campsites, and ten modern equestrian group campsites as well.
I think that it won't take very long at all - before you know it, you'll be head over heels in love with this gorgeous hidden gem of a park in North Dakota.
One of my favorite aspects about it is the rugged, remote feel of the whole place.
It's adorable... and you can grab a bite to eat that you won't need to cook yourself!
Of all the city, town, and state parks in North Dakota, this one might be one of the most tragically underrated. It’s the very definition of an unexplored adventure, and it’s up to you to get out and enjoy it to the fullest. To reserve your campsite ahead of time, be sure to visit the official North Dakota Parks and Rec website. Not feeling a camping trip? No worries – our friends at VRBO have lots of wonderful stays to check out.
What are your favorite lesser-known parks in ND? Let me know.
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