This Little Known Natural Oasis Is Hiding In North Dakota… And You’re Going To Love It
The Gunlogson State Nature Preserve is tucked away in the Icelandic State Park near Cavalier, North Dakota. The forests within it are a marvel of nature and home to many native and rare plants and animals. The trails in the preserve will take you through some simply breathtaking areas in this wooded paradise.
This slice of North Dakota is named after the man who donated it to the state to become the first nature preserve here, G.B. Gunlogson. He loved this spot so much he felt it needed to be kept pristine and wild, and that is how it still is to this day.
The Tongue River winds its way through the preserve, creating ponds and creeks along the way. It is the heart of the preserve and gives life to the whole valley it created.
These are views from one of the trails in the preserve, the Wildwood Trail. Forests in the area create this picturesque paradise of trees, streams, flora and fauna. Every corner you turn in Gunlogson is like stepping into a storybook world.
The climate in the park is unlike most any other in the state, being cool and full of moisture. It used to be more widespread, however as the settlers moved in and started developing the land, the true natural areas began to decrease. Now, many rare plants and birds can only be found in this part of North Dakota.
These two faces and many more can be seen all throughout the preserve year round. If you are into bird spotting you cannot miss this place, especially considering there are birds you won't be able to fin easily elsewhere. Some of the rare birds include mourning warblers and piliated woodpeckers.
These views and many more await you here. It is one of my favorite spots in the state to completely unwind and just soak in the sights and sounds of nature while walking the trails. There is no other place like it in North Dakota. If you get the chance, go here - or you might regret it.
All of these photographs are courtesy of the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, who manage this preserve and all of the state parks. They do an awesome job at keeping these natural hidden gems beautiful and accessible to all.
You can find out more information about Gunlogson State Nature Preserve and the NDPRD at their website here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
