North Country National Scenic Trail
Location: In North Dakota, Sheyenne National Grasslands to Lake Sakakawea State Park
Length: 222 miles certified in scattered segments (see below)
Designated uses: Existing and new sections of the North Country National Scenic Trail are generally limited to foot travel, including hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Other non-motorized uses, such as bicycling and horseback riding, are limited to areas specifically designed to withstand such use.
About the trail
The North Country National Scenic Trail, which one day will stretch more than 4,600 miles from Crown Point in eastern New York to Lake Sakakawea State Park in western North Dakota, is the longest of the eight National Scenic Trails authorized by Congress. Like its sister trails—the Appalachian, Continental Divide, Florida, Ice Age, Natchez Trace, Pacific Crest and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trails—it was designed to provide peaceful recreational opportunities in some of America’s outstanding landscapes.
The North Country Trail (NCT) is administered by the National Park Service, managed by federal, state, and local agencies, and built and maintained primarily by the volunteers of the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) and its partners.
Passing through the seven states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota, the NCT connects more than 160 public land units—including parks, forests, scenic attractions, wildlife refuges, game areas, and historic sites.
North Country Trail in North Dakota
Once completed, the North Country Trail in North Dakota will encompass 475 miles. Currently, 222 miles of trail have been certified.
The trail in North Dakota travels from the ancient lakebed of glacial Lake Agassiz to the rolling prairie pothole region to the Missouri River basin through tall and mixed grass prairies. From the Minnesota state line, the trail route continues westward to Fort Abercrombie State Historic Site and the Red River Valley.
Hikers will enjoy the segment in Sheyenne National Grassland- a 71,000-acre remnant of a tall grass prairie. The trail follows the Sheyenne River’s scenic forested valley northward to Sheyenne State Forest and Fort Ransom State Park. The trail continues northward along the Sheyenne River Valley to Lake Ashtabula and on to Fort Totten State Historic site near Devils Lake.
The trail follows along the Garrison Diversion Project Canals and then continues along the shores of Audubon and Lake Sakakawea. The Lonetree segment of the trail may be more difficult to hike because of its vegetation and terrain. The trail is not groomed, but simply a delineated route. When passing through the Lonetree segment of the trail, a hiker can expect to see a variety of habitat including wetlands, native prairie and grasslands. Wildlife such as sharp-tailed grouse, ring-necked pheasants, Hungarian partridges and white-tailed deer can also be seen when hiking through Lonetree. Three primitive campgrounds are situated along the Lonetree segment of the North Country Trail and each offers drinking water, vault toilets and picnic tables.
Completed Trail Segments
Segment1: Sheyenne National Grassland. Features: Restoration of tallgrass prairie, rare white fringed orchid, prairie chicken, moose, wolves and two unique butterfly species.
Local information: Sheyenne National Grassland (Sheyenne Ranger District) 701-683-4342, www.fs.fed.us/r1/dakotaprairie/sheyenne.htm
Segment 2: Sheyenne State Forest. Features: Slopes and ravines as well as open and wooded areas.
Local information: North Dakota Forest Service, 701-683-4323, http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/forestservice/stateforest/sheyenne_river.htm
Segment 3: Fort Ransom State Park. Features: West bank of Sheyenne River Basin, demonstration farm, wooded and open fields.
Local information: Ft. Ransom State Park, 701-973-4331
Segment 4: Valley City. Features: Scenic overlooks, Indian burial mounds, Medicine Wheel Park and North Dakota’s City of Bridges.
Local information: Valley City Chamber of Commerce, 701-845-1891, www.hellovalley.com.
Segment 5: Lake Ashtabula. Features: Grassland, hills, fields and lake. Includes water management areas.
Local information: US Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Ashtabula Project Office, 701-845-2970
Segment 6: New Rockford Canal. Features: Mostly rolling farmland and pasture.
Local information: Bureau of Reclamation (Garrison Diversion Conservancy District), 800-532-0074, www.garrisondiv.org .
Segment 7: Lonetree Wildlife Management Area. Features: A diverse range of habitats, wetlands, native prairie and grassland.
Local information: North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 701-324-2211, http://gf.nd.gov/. Bureau of Reclamation (Garrison Diversion Conservancy District), 800-532-0074, www.garrisondiv.org .
Segment 8: McClusky Canal. Features: All types of wildlife, agricultural and native prairie landscape, a series of lakes in line with the canal, as well as canal features including a pumping station.
Local information: Bureau of Reclamation (Garrison Diversion Conservancy District), 800-532-0074, www.garrisondiv.org .
Segment 9: Lake Sakakawea State Park. Features: one of the top three largest man-made reservoirs in the nation.
Local information: Lake Sakakawea State Park, 701-487-3315
