Have you ever had the urge to go out and get lost in the woods to decompress but still be home for dinner? If this sounds like something you might do, well, we've found a great hiking trail for you. There are more than 170 awesome hiking, biking, and walking trails weaving all over our beautiful state, all varying in difficulty, landscape, and features. This loop trail in North Dakota is short, sweet, and easy - our personal favorite kind of hike. It's perfect for an afternoon out of the house without straying too far away from the nearest city. Located just outside Minot, it's hard to believe this trail isn't all that remote - it just feels like it is.

The Bison Plant Trail is open all year round, making it a perfect option for a good hike no matter what time of year it might be.

The trail is maintained by the city of Minot as well as kind folks from Minot's local bike shop, who work hard to make sure the trails are technical, clean, and safe for hikers and mountain bikers.

It's a popular trail for both, and for obvious reasons: it's amazing.

Every step you take pulls you further into a wonderland that feels ultra-remote but isn't so far from civilization that you can't go get ice cream afterwards.

To say that this loop trail is a scenic one is to do it a disservice.

It's absolutely breathtaking, and many points along the way will be worth stopping to admire for a while. Bring a camera - your inner photographer is going to want to come out and play for this one.

Bison Plant Trail is filled with plenty of interesting features, like a decaying railroad track that nature has taken complete control of.

What is it about the melding of industry and nature that's so fascinating? We're not sure, but we sure do love that kind of thing.

You'll encounter all kinds of wild birds (this trail is very popular with birdwatchers) and other wildlife - many hikers have reported seeing wild bison in the area!

The trail is very well maintained and marked very clearly. Always make sure to stay on marked trails - it helps to protect the fragile ecosystems in the wildlands we love so much. Also, make sure you employ "pack it in, pack it out" principles to keep our trails beautiful for generations to come.

Part of this loop will lead you along the Souris River, which always seems to reflect the same blue color as the endless North Dakota sky.

The river is a lovely place to sit and think for a while. This trail is short enough that you can make multiple stops along the way but still get home before bedtime if you so wish; some daring hikers claim this trail is extra awesome at night).

Hikers looking for an away-from-it-all hike while remaining close to it all definitely ought to add Bison Plant Trail to their North Dakota hiking bucket lists.

Want more photos, a map, and lots of rave hiker reviews? Check out the official AllTrails page for Bison Plant Trail - this is one hike you can't possibly regret! How lucky we are to live in a state so beautiful. What's your favorite hike in North Dakota? Tell us about it in the comments and share photos with us - we love hearing from you.