10 Trails In North Dakota That Will Make You Love The Outdoors
Now that all the trees are looking green again and the weather is getting warm, it’s time to head outside and soak up some sun. If you really want to get in tune with nature and enjoy the outdoors to the fullest extent, one of the best ways is hitting the trails in some of North Dakota’s beautiful parks. These 10 trails are perfect for anyone who loves nature.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
This trail in Beaver Lake State Park is about 2.28 miles long and is a great trail to hit for an afternoon hike. The lake and forested areas make the perfect environment to just enjoy nature.
Walk along the banks of Lake Sakakawea in the Lake Sakakawea State Park on this trail. The massive lake is beautiful any time of the day and the calming sounds of the water will make the perfect walk.
Surround yourself with peaceful forests in Cross Ranch State Park on the lovely Cottonwood Trail. It is a little over three miles long and worth every step.
Whether you are on foot or on horseback, the trails in the Little Missouri State Park are breathtaking. Walk along the ridges of the badlands and overlook impressive valleys full of life, all the while creating unforgettable memories.
The North Dakota section of this trail starts in Wahpeton and ends at Lake Sakakawea - it is massive! And even more so considering the true other end of the trail is all the way in New York. The trail traverses through all types of North Dakota scenery from prairies to forests, rivers to lakes, and everything in between.
With a length of just about two miles long, you can overlook some absolutely gorgeous landscapes right in Fort Ransom State Park. This will easily become one of your favorite places to be outdoors as soon as you hit the trails.
If you love being surrounded by trees and the creatures within them, try the Northern Pine Loop in Fort Stevenson State Park. It's easy to find peace and calm in a forest and this place can provide the perfect spot to unwind and just focus on putting one foot in front of the other.
The Tetrault Woods State Forest in the Pembina Gorge boasts some spectacular scenic spots that are hard to beat. If you're ever near Pembina or Walhalla, take this trail - you won't regret it!
This is the longest, most extensive trail system in North Dakota, snaking through both the North Unit and South Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Over 95 miles of trails can be hiked, biked, and enjoyed. It goes through the utterly amazing painted canyons of the badlands, the deep valleys between them, along the Little Missouri River, and so many other places. There are shorter segments of the trails for anyone to take.
This two mile loop in Lake Metigoshe State Park passes some of the watery areas of the park and yes, probably includes beavers! You can see nature up close and personal on this awesome trail, so get out there!
What are your summer plans? I know that I’m definitely going hiking as soon as possible!
