Maah Daah Hey Trail
Epic trail stretching 144 miles through rugged western North Dakota
The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a 144-mile non-motorized single track through the Badlands of North Dakota. It is at times rugged, challenging and relaxing and always amazing. International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) has designated the hiking, biking and horseback riding trail as EPIC, meaning it’s one of the top mountain biking trails in the United States. The Maah Daah Hey Trail System has also received a 2022 Bicycling Travel Award as Best Hidden Gem in the United States.
The trail begins (or ends) at the United States Forest Service’s Burning Coal Vein Campground 30 miles south of Medora and snakes its way over and around buttes and grasslands to its northern terminus at the CCC campground 16 miles south of Watford City. The route takes users past the “Old West” town of Medora with its summer musical and unique places to unwind, have a cold drink and grab a snack for the trail.
The trail has nine fenced campgrounds, each accessible by gravel surfaced roads and includes camping spurs, potable water, hitching rails, picnic tables, fire rings and accessible toilets. They are spaced about every 20 miles along the trail.
Outdoor enthusiasts can access various parts of the trail to see areas like the China Wall, Devils Pass or the Ice Caves.
Click here for detailed descriptions of various parts of the trail.
Read the article "A Muddy Race, A Million Buttes, and a Very Novice Mountain Biker: Scenes from a Weekend on the Maah Daah Hey Trail"
The trail is open year-round but it is best to check the weather before heading out. Maps are available from the Forest Service in Dickinson, Bismarck or Watford City.
Click here for year-round recreational activities held on the trail.