12 Scenic Trails To Explore In North Dakota, One For Each Month Of The Year
If you’re a fan of hiking and/or the outdoors (okay, why not both?), you’re going to love this. It’s a brand-new year, and you know what that means: brand-new adventures! And, come on, you just know we’ve got some super awesome new adventures to take you on, and right now, that means checking out some of the best hiking trails in North Dakota. So, here are 12 of our favorites: one for each month of this beautiful, brand-new year.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, USA
This stunning trail is short, sweet, and to the point. Coming in at about a half-mile long, this beautiful mini-adventure takes you past some fascinating spots and some of North Dakota's most intriguing landscapes. Learn more about Wind Canyon trail on its official AllTrails page.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, USA
Should you choose to follow this list, you'll find yourself at Theodore Roosevelt National Park many times this year - not that there's anything wrong with (or boring about) that! It's a wonderful place full of amazing hikes - and here's another one. This trail is a one-mile trek that does include stairsteps, so make sure to plan for those accordingly with good shoes! Read more about Painted Canyon on AllTrails (and check out the photos, too).
Fort Stevenson State Park, 1252A 41st Ave NW, Garrison, ND 58540, USA
If you're a fan of beautiful, sparkling lakes, you might not want to wait until March for this one! Nestled within Fort Stevenson State Park is this hidden gem of a trail. We couldn't get enough of this one, and we suspect you won't be able to, either.
Harmon Lake Trail, Mandan, ND 58554, USA
This trail's a bit longer, coming in at 8.3 miles long total if you opt to hike the entire thing. It's a loop, so you'll end up where you started off; it's dog-friendly and filled with wildlife (and some amazingly beautiful landscapes) so you and your furry BFF will find plenty to love on this one. Come see why this trail has been a local favorite for years!
Turtle River State Park, 3084 Park Ave NE, Arvilla, ND 58214, USA
Ah, May. This hike comes just in time for all the stunning greenery this park is known for to have come roaring back. This one's a 5.6-mile loop that's great for most skill levels. This one is also dog-friendly, and features some of the most gorgeous river and woodland views. This one is (like the others on this list) quite photogenic, so don't forget to bring a camera along. Check out other folks' photos on the official AllTrails page.
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, 4480 Fort Lincoln Rd, Mandan, ND 58554, USA
Tucked within Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is this fun and historic 3.6-mile loop trail that's sure to create some memories. It features a breathtaking river and some of the most amazing views you can find in North Dakota. This is one of those times you'll forget you're still in state, as it feels like something from out of a dream instead. Better yet, it's dog-friendly! Read more on the official AllTrails page.
Petrified Forest, North Billings, ND 58645, USA
Okay, this one's special! You might be thinking, really? Another trail within Theodore Roosevelt National Park? Well, yeah, except this one is probably the wildest one in the whole park - it's filled with petrified wood! In fact, it's one of the only places in the entire country where you can find the stuff all over the place, and we feel pretty lucky about that. It's 10.2 miles of the most outlandish landscapes in North Dakota, and you're gonna love it. Learn everything there is to know on AllTrails.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, USA
If you enjoyed July's unique trek through a real petrified forest, you'll love the Big Plateau hike. Otherwise known as Eckblom Trail, this gem is 5.2 miles of simply stunning, wide-open space. You'll be intrigued by some of the truly unique features in the landscape here; make sure to bring water, as it gets warm in August. Read more about the Big Plateau trail on AllTrails.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, USA
How does that song go? "Wake me up when September ends"? Something like that - when hiking this gorgeous trail this September, you're going to feel like you're asleep and dreaming (but nobody better try and wake you). Sperati Point is an excellent and dreamlike hike through North Dakota's breathtaking wildlands, and it's great for checking out the local wildlife, too, including herds of bison. Read more on AllTrails.
Minot Park District, 420 3rd Ave SW, Minot, ND 58701, USA
This popular 2.3-mile loop trail is tucked within the Minot Park District and features a gorgeous river and plenty of trees (which is wonderful when the seasons are in mid-transition and everything's ultra-colorful). With this one, you can wander from the main trail to all sorts of others, creating your own adventure as you go along. Read more about this one on AllTrails.
Sully Creek State Park, 1465 36th St, Medora, ND 58645, USA
Maah Daah Hey is amazing, plain and simple. Another trail that's lovely as the leave change, this one is located in Sully Creek Recreation Area and is 5.8 miles total. This one is used often for horseback riding and is purely pristine. It's lovely year-round, but November gets a little chilly, so dress appropriately for the cold! Learn more about Maah Daah Hey on AllTrails.
Grassy Butte, ND 58634, USA
Let's finish the year with a stunning view: Summit Viewpoint, near Grassy Butte, North Dakota, is the ultimate panoramic view. You won't believe your eyes with this one; you've done 12 months of amazing hikes - some easier than others - and this one is the perfect one to close everything out with. It's under a mile long, and it's oh-so-worth-it, trust us. Get all the details here.
So, what are your thoughts? Which trails do you think deserve a spot on a list of the best hiking trails in North Dakota? Tell us about your picks in the comments! We love hearing from you. Do you plan on tackling these hikes this year?
Address: Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, USA
Address: Harmon Lake Trail, Mandan, ND 58554, USA
Address: Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, USA
Address: Fort Stevenson State Park, 1252A 41st Ave NW, Garrison, ND 58540, USA
Address: Turtle River State Park, 3084 Park Ave NE, Arvilla, ND 58214, USA
Address: Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, 4480 Fort Lincoln Rd, Mandan, ND 58554, USA
Address: Petrified Forest, North Billings, ND 58645, USA
Address: Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, USA
Address: Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, USA
Address: Minot Park District, 420 3rd Ave SW, Minot, ND 58701, USA
Address: Sully Creek State Park, 1465 36th St, Medora, ND 58645, USA
Address: Grassy Butte, ND 58634, USA
