Let me be clear: hiking isn’t just a hobby—it’s a test. A crucible. A simulation of survival, wrapped up in the illusion of leisure. And when it comes to North Dakota? You’d better come prepared, because these trails don’t play nice. The wind cuts, the terrain shifts under your feet, and the sun doesn’t care how far you are from the next water source. These aren’t your gentle strolls through the woods. These are battlegrounds. And I’m here to walk you through them.
I’ve hiked across most of the Lower 48, and I’ve bugged out in more states than some people have even driven through. But North Dakota… it gets under your skin. Wide skies, rugged land, and North Dakota Hiking that will chew you up and spit you out if you come unprepared. So lace up your boots, pack like it’s the end of days, and pay attention.
1. Maah Daah Hey Trail — 144 Miles of Character Building
You want a challenge? This is it. One hundred and forty-four miles through the heart of the Badlands, where rattlesnakes sunbathe on your path and the wind will strip the moisture from your bones. The Maah Daah Hey isn’t just long—it’s relentless. Expect rolling buttes, deep coulees, river crossings, and solitude so thick you’ll forget the rest of the world exists.
There are designated campgrounds, sure—but don’t count on them. Learn to dig a cat hole. Filter every drop you drink. Carry iodine tabs even if you’ve got a Sawyer filter, because redundancy isn’t optional—it’s survival.
Pro Tip: Wildfires can sweep through here in the summer like hell on wheels. Bring a radio, keep your head on a swivel, and know your exit points. This trail weeds out the soft.
2. Theodore Roosevelt National Park Trails — Beauty with Teeth
This park is split into North and South Units, both riddled with trails that snake through some of the wildest terrain in the state. You’ll see bison, you’ll see feral horses, and if you’re unlucky, you might just step between a cow and her calf. That’s a mistake you won’t make twice—if you make it at all.
My go-to? The Petrified Forest Loop. It’s about 10 miles and features terrain that swings from desolate moon-crater badlands to eerie stands of fossilized wood. You’ll feel like you’re walking through ancient history—and maybe you are. But don’t lose focus. A twisted ankle out here with no cell service is a one-way ticket to a real-life evacuation.
Gear Checklist:
- GPS with offline maps
- Satellite communicator (I use a Garmin InReach—worth every penny)
- 3 liters of water minimum
- High-calorie trail food (jerky, nuts, and pemmican—none of that energy gel crap)
3. North Country National Scenic Trail (ND Segment) — For the Long-Haulers
Most folks don’t even know the North Country Trail exists, let alone that it runs through North Dakota. But it does—over 400 miles of it, winding through the Sheyenne National Grassland and beyond. This trail will test your mental game more than your legs. Endless prairie. Minimal shade. Monotonous terrain that can turn your brain to mush if you’re not grounded.
But that’s where the survivalist thrives. Boredom is a killer just like dehydration or exposure. If you can hike this stretch solo and keep your wits, you’re a cut above. Bring a journal. Sharpen your awareness. Practice mental discipline.
Warning: Lightning storms roll in fast here, and there’s nowhere to hide. Get low, stay off ridgelines, and never be the tallest thing in the field.
4. Pembina Gorge — North Dakota’s Secret Weapon
Most people think of North Dakota as flat and dry. But then they stumble across the Pembina Gorge, up in the northeast, and it flips their script. Think forested hills, steep ravines, and rivers that don’t care if your boots are waterproof. It’s lush. It’s wild. And it’s a perfect place to lose your bearings if you’re not tracking every step.
The Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area has about 12 miles of designated trails, but the real training starts when you step off them. This is bushcraft territory. Test your fire-making skills, practice shelter-building, and track game sign—not to hunt, but to understand the land. You never know when the lessons will matter.
5. Little Missouri State Park — Erosion as a Lifestyle
If erosion had a capital city, it’d be here. This place is a maze of steep, cracked trails and deep drainages carved by the Little Missouri River. Horses use these trails too, so don’t be surprised if you step into a hoof print big enough to swallow your boot.
The park has over 45 miles of trail, and most of them feel like you’re hiking on the spine of a giant fossil. One wrong step and you’re sliding 40 feet into a ravine. I recommend trekking poles and a sense of humility. This isn’t a park that forgives arrogance.
Situational Awareness Tip: Weather turns quick out here. A dry trail in the morning turns into a clay slip-n-slide by afternoon. If the clouds roll in, bail early. Pride doesn’t taste as good as dinner back at basecamp.
Final Thoughts: The Prepper’s Mindset Wins
If you take one thing away from this, let it be this: Hiking in North Dakota is less about scenery and more about strategy. The views are a bonus. Survival is the mission.
Don’t trust your phone. Bring a compass, and know how to use it. Don’t trust the weather. Bring a poncho, an emergency bivy, and a change of socks in a dry bag. Don’t trust your body. Bring blister kits, spare laces, and enough electrolytes to revive a camel.
I don’t hike to escape the world. I hike to prepare for it. Every step on these trails is a step toward self-reliance, grit, and readiness. North Dakota’s wilderness doesn’t coddle—it clarifies. It strips away the noise and leaves only the truth: Can you survive this?
If yes, you earn the view. If no? Well, the land doesn’t care. It was here before you. It’ll be here after.
So pack right, tread smart, and respect the terrain.
Survive these hiking trails in North Dakota—or don’t survive at all.
TheDailyChristian 