Maah Daah Hey Trail Association



				Is water available along the trail? Each campground on the trail has hand pumped potable water throughout the season. The campgrounds are 18 or more miles apart so plan accordingly. The Forest Service Maah Daah Hey Map shows locations of springs, dams, dugouts, and stock tanks. This water is not certified as potable, and may be difficult to filter. Some of these sites are undependable. The most foolproof plan, especially for hikers, is to cache water before your trip. Is certified weed free hay required on the Dakota Prairie Grassland? Yes, certified weed free hay is required. As locations become available to purchase this hay, we will provide that information on this website. Where can I purchase a map of the trail? The maps are available in both a paper and plastic coat version at any ND Forest Service office, or through our organization, use the contact us page. Is the trail marked through GPS? The US Forest Service Dakota Prairie Grasslands has marked the entire trail with GPS coordinates, but that data is not available at this time. As soon as our mapping pages are completed we plan to have that data available through this site. What is the status of Maah Daah Hey Trail two? Construction will start this season on this trail. Throughout this season, marker posts will be set, self closing gates installed, and construction of trail through difficult areas will be started. Plans are to do a portion at each end, so the middle of the trail may be difficult to navigate, especially because of fencing. Until usage creates a trail imprint, long areas of this trail will require navigating by the trails line of site posts, on a mostly grass surface. We will update this site as construction progresses. Is wildlife a concern on the trail, especially mountain lions and rattlesnakes? While mountain lions are receiving a lot of attention, sightings are vary rare. You are much more likely to see buffalo (within the national park), and other small potentially bothersome animals such as skunks and porcupines. If you are concerned, do research these animals before you go on the trail. In general to avoid all wildlife, make noise. A bell, especially for hikers, will generally move most animals away. If an animal is encountered, retreat "big". Move away quickly but do not run, continue to face the animal, and yell, lift arms, look and act big. As for snakes, noise will help, along with being aware of the times when they are most likely to be warming themselves on the trail. Snakes will normally not go after you, they simply strike when surprised. If you step near a snake, jump away quickly, you do not need to retreat very far, then work your way around that spot. If you like to leave the trail, be aware of their potential hiding places, hunting areas, and warming areas, and be cautious, you are in their habitat.