Outdoor Adventure by Foot, Pedal, or Hoof
Travis Bateman
Farmer Staff Writer
Part I: Discovering the Dakota Prairie Grasslands and the Maah Daah Hey Trail
Few places in North Dakota offer the variety of outdoor recreation opportunities found just minutes south of Watford City. Rugged badlands, sweeping prairie vistas, winding creek bottoms, colorful bentonite formations, towering buttes, and hundreds of miles of public lands combine to create an outdoor destination unlike anywhere else in the state.
Whether the goal is hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, wildlife photography, trail running, hunting, or simply escaping into nature for a few hours, western North Dakota provides an experience that is both challenging and rewarding. From leisurely family outings to multi-day backcountry adventures, the region offers something for nearly every level of outdoor enthusiast.
Much of that opportunity exists within the expansive Dakota Prairie Grasslands, managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Spread across western North Dakota, these public lands encompass hundreds of thousands of acres of mixed-grass prairie, rugged badlands, wooded draws, and remote backcountry that remain open for public enjoyment. Unlike many other parts of the country where outdoor recreation is concentrated within state or national parks, visitors here have access to an enormous landscape where exploration often begins simply by pulling off a county road and stepping onto public land.
At the center of that recreation system is North Dakota’s most famous trail.
The Maah Daah Hey Trail has earned national recognition as one of America’s premier long-distance trails. Stretching approximately 150 miles through the North Dakota Badlands, it connects the northern reaches of the Little Missouri National Grassland near Theodore Roosevelt National Park to the southern Badlands near the town of Amidon.
The trail’s name comes from the language of the Mandan people and is commonly translated as “an area that has been or will be around for a long time.” The name is fitting, as the route traverses a landscape shaped over millions of years and rich in Native American history, ranching heritage, wildlife, and some of the state’s most spectacular scenery.
Development of the trail began during the 1990s through a cooperative effort involving the U.S. Forest Service, volunteers, local organizations, and countless supporters who recognized the recreational potential of the North Dakota Badlands. Today, ongoing maintenance continues through partnerships between public land managers, volunteer trail crews, and organizations dedicated to preserving one of the state’s signature outdoor resources.
For residents of Watford City, one of the greatest advantages is how close that adventure begins.
The northern trailhead sits only about 15 miles south of town, where the trail begins near the Little Missouri River before climbing steadily into the rugged terrain that defines the Badlands. Within only a few miles, visitors leave behind broad river valleys and enter a landscape of steep ridges, winding coulees, colorful bentonite hills, juniper-covered slopes, and expansive overlooks stretching for miles in every direction.
Every season offers a different experience. Spring brings vibrant green grasslands and wildflowers. Summer fills the draws with birdsong and abundant wildlife activity. Autumn transforms cottonwood-lined creek bottoms into brilliant shades of gold, while winter blankets the Badlands in snow, revealing a landscape few have the opportunity to experience.
Although the Maah Daah Hey Trail has earned a reputation for challenging terrain and long-distance adventures, visitors should not assume it is reserved only for experienced hikers or endurance athletes.
Those looking for a shorter outing will find several excellent options near the northern trailhead.
One of the most popular combines portions of the Maah Daah Hey Trail, the Long X Trail, and the Sunset Trail into a loop of approximately two miles. The route features gently rolling terrain punctuated by several moderate climbs that provide just enough elevation change to raise the heart rate without overwhelming casual hikers.
The loop has become a favorite for families, visitors seeking a leisurely afternoon walk, trail runners looking for a shorter workout, photographers hoping to capture sunrise or sunset across the Badlands, and anyone simply wanting fresh air and exercise. While portions of the trail require moderate effort, the route remains manageable for many families with children and active older adults who are comfortable walking uneven terrain.
For those wanting a greater challenge, another popular loop combines the Maah Daah Hey Trail with the Long X Trail to create an approximately 14-mile excursion.
Here the character of the landscape changes dramatically.
Long climbs reward hikers with sweeping views across the Little Missouri River valley before descending into narrow draws lined with juniper, sagebrush, and cottonwoods. The trail repeatedly rises onto broad ridgelines before dropping back into winding coulees, demanding steady physical effort while rewarding visitors with constantly changing scenery.
Continuing south along the Maah Daah Hey Trail, hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders encounter many of the geological features that make the North Dakota Badlands unique. The trail crosses narrow canyons, rugged draws, bentonite bluffs, wooded drainages, petrified wood deposits, native prairie, and broad plateaus such as the Long X Divide. Around nearly every bend lies another panoramic overlook offering expansive views across one of the least-developed landscapes remaining in the Upper Great Plains.
Unlike many trails where scenery changes little over the course of a day, the Maah Daah Hey Trail continually reveals new terrain. Each ridge crossed, valley descended, and creek bottom traversed presents visitors with another distinctly different view of western North Dakota.
From there, the trail continues toward one of North Dakota’s most treasured public landscapes, where the Badlands become even more remote and the opportunities for exploration continue to grow.
Coming in Part II: Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the Wolf Trail, the Bennett and Ice Caves trails, horseback riding, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, geology, off-trail exploration on public lands, and practicing Leave No Trace in North Dakota’s Badlands.