The north end of the trail begins at the US Forest Service CCC Campground in McKenzie County, located 20 miles south of Watford City, off Highway 85. The 96 mile trail then winds its way to its southern terminus at Sully Creek State Park in Billings County, south of Medora.
Four fenced overnight campsites with hitching posts, potable water wells, vault toilets, and campfire rings are available along the trail. The Buffalo Gap Trail is a bike bypass trail around the South Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
The trail name, "Maah Daah Hey", comes from the Mandan-Hidatsa Indians. In their language, one word or phrase can describe a picture, feeling, or situation. In this case, the phrase means "an area that has been or will be around for a long time." The trail uses a turtle as the trail marker. The turtle symbol comes from the Lakota Sioux, was honored because of its firm determination, steadfastness, patience, long life, and fortitude.
The trail traverses an area of highly dissected badlands surrounded by large expanses of gently rolling prairie. This area of North Dakota provides prime habitat for a variety of mammals and birds. Mule deer, antelope, and coyotes are often sighted, while an occasional golden eagle or prairie falcon may be spotted soaring above. Bighorn sheep and elk have been reintroduced into the area and can be spotted by keen observers. In addition, bison and wild horses roam the range in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
The trail is open for use all year, but at various times of the year, the trail may be impassable due to snow, ice, high water, and mud. Users of the Maah Daah Hey Trail share the same space with horseback riders, hikers, and bicyclists. Users are expected to respect the rights of others. Shared-use trails are successful when users cooperate and abide by the rules.
The MDHTA has a photos of native plants that you might see along the trail. Refer to our Photo Gallery for these photos along with many others.
We invite anyone to submit photographs of native plants, wildlife and landscape to include in our Photo Gallery. individuals providing photos should also include a statement providing permission for the Maah Daah Hey Trail Association to use photographs. Email MDHTA with any photos you would like to have included.
Is water available along the trail?
Each campground on the trail has hand pumped potable water throughout the season from May to December. The campgrounds are 18 or more miles apart so plan accordingly. The Forest Service Maah Daah Hey Trail 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. Be sure to clean up your cache sites when you are done with them.
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. Contact your local County Extension Agent for more information.
Where can I purchase a map of the trail?
The maps are available in both a paper and plastic coat version at any USDA Forest Service office in ND, or through our organization, use the contact us page.
Is the trail surveyed with GPS?
The US Forest Service Dakota Prairie Grasslands has surveyed 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 II?
Construction will start this season on this trail. Throughout this season, marker posts will be set, self closing gates installed, and construction will be started on trail through areas needing clearing and tread work. Plans are to do a portion at each end with the middle of the trail constructed next year. Until usage creates a trail tread, flat cross section grassy areas of this trail will require navigating by line of sight via reassurance markers or from post to post. As construction progresses, we will update this website.
Is wildlife a concern on the trail, especially mountain lions and rattlesnakes?
While mountain lions are receiving a lot of attention, sightings are very 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 on the behavior of 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 from you. If an animal is encountered, make yourself "big". Move away quickly but do not run, continue to face the animal, and yell, lift your arms while you back away from the animal. As for snakes, be 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 potential snake hiding places, hunting areas, and warming areas. Be cautious, you are in their habitat.
- The trails are closed to all motorized vehicles.
- Bicycles are not allowed on the Maah Daah Hey trail as it passes through Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The Buffalo Gap Trail is an alternative route around the park boundary for cyclists.
- Camping is prohibited on private and state land.
- Close any gates that you open.
- Stock users must use weed seed free hay or feed in order to reduce the risk of exotic/noxious plant introduction.
- Artifacts and other cultural features are protected by Federal Law. DO NOT COLLECT OR DISTURB.
- Pack out all trash and other materials. Burying trash is prohibited.
- Do NOT wash dishes or use detergents in water sources.
- For proper sanitation make toilets in a shallow hole 200 feet or more from camp, water sources, and trail.
- For your safety, DO NOT APPROACH OIL AND GAS FACILITIES; poison gases may be present.
- Users must stay on the trail when crossing private and state land.
NDAWN weather sites. Provides weather data from automated weather stations located in nearby towns. http://ndawn.ndsu.nodak.edu/daily-table-form.html
Provides historic weather data and is updated daily. Real time information is available by phone for the following locations. Though these automated weather sites are not on the trail they can provide an idea as to weather conditions in the immediate area.
Beach – 701-872-3016
Bowman – 701-523-3380
Dickinson – 701-483-2097
Sidney – 406-433-6657
Watford City – 701-842-4031
Weather data is provided in the following order; rainfall since midnight, yesterday’s rainfall, current air temperature, minimum air temperature since midnight, maximum air temperature since midnight, wind direction, wind speed, relative humidity, dew point, and bare soil temperature. The caller can terminate the call at any time after the star (*) key is pressed.
Webcam at Painted Canyon, Roosevelt National Park - http://www2.nature.nps.gov/air/WebCams/parks/throcam/throcam.cfm
View of the badlands at Painted Canyon updated every 15 minutes. Current weather conditions as well as air quality measurements are listed. This webcam is about 10 miles east of the Maah Daah Hey trail.
911
McKenzie County Sheriff - (701) 842-3654
Billings County Sheriff - (701) 623-4323
State Radio (Police) -
1-800-472-2121