These 8 Hiking Spots In North Dakota Are Completely Out Of This World
There’s so much to love about hiking. Being able to immerse yourself in nature, surrounded by the plants and quiet atmosphere, spotting the occasional wildlife and just enjoying the fresh air is a great way to clear your mind – and it’s good for you, too. North Dakota has beautiful landscapes that offer some of the best hiking trails, and these 8 trails are some of our favorites.
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The Maah Daah Hey trail is a series of trails that traverse through some of the most beautiful scenery in all of North Dakota, all throughout Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora, ND. The trail system is very extensive with over 100 miles of trail broken up into shorter segments. You can choose which one you'd like to go on or try to tackle them all. The views are magnificent and will blow you away every time.
The Icelandic State Park lies on the north shore of Lake Renwick just a few miles north of Cavalier, ND. There are multiple trails in the park that offer the perfect environment to immerse yourself in nature and have a relaxing, wonderful hike.
The Wind Canyon Trail is also part of the Theodore Roosevelt National park, but offers a spectacular view of the Little Missouri River. It is a shorter trail that ends at this amazing overlook of the river. The best way to enjoy it would be to hit the trail near the end of the day and watch the sun set over the badlands and the Little Missouri once you reach the end.
White Butte is the highest point in North Dakota and has a hiking trail up to that very spot. Not only is it worth it just to say you were there, but it also has some fantastic views of the North Dakota landscape once you reach the top.
Did you know that the North Dakota state fossil is petrified wood? The state is home to one of the largest petrified forests in the country. The stumps and remnants of trees on this trail are dated at millions of years old and were preserved by being covered in mineral-rich sediments for thousands of years until groundwater flowed through it and replaced the plant material with minerals. This trail takes you through a forest of these trees in a beautiful area near Medora.
The gorgeous area around the Turtle River near Grand Forks has some great trails that are perfect for hiking. Stroll along the river and through the forest and just enjoy the nature it has to offer. If you're a fan of fishing, the river is stocked with rainbow trout. So bring a rod and take a hike to a nice spot along the trail and enjoy the day.
The Ridgeline Nature Trail is part of Fort Ransom State Park near Valley City. It isn't the only trail, and certainly not the only one you should take - Fort Ransom has a lot of fantastic areas where you can fully appreciate the nature that surrounds you. Go for a quiet hike here and take in the serenity of the forest; you won't regret it.
About half way between Bismarck and Garrison, right along the Missouri River, is the Cross Ranch State Park. The trails there give access to over 5,000 acres of a nature preserve full of grasslands and, of course, the mighty Missouri. The eye-catching land is great for a summer day hike.
North Dakota’s beautiful scenery never fails to impress! Do you plan on taking any of these hikes?
