Once the wind dies down and the snow settles, there are some absolutely beautiful landscapes in North Dakota as a result. Just because it is winter doesn’t mean you can’t go out and admire them. Many of the state’s parks and recreation areas have trails that are open year-round, some specifically for winter hikes. Whether you are going with your own boots or traversing the snow in snowshoes or cross-country skis, these trails are perfectly picturesque this time of year. Here are some of the best winter hikes in North Dakota!

  1. Cottonwood Trail - Cross Ranch State Park (near Hensler)

ND Parks and Recreation Department/Flickr Surround yourself with peaceful, frosty forests in Cross Ranch State Park on the lovely Cottonwood Trail. This specific trail is kept groomed for skiing each winter, and snowshoe rentals are also available here. Cross Ranch State Park, 1403 River Rd, Center, ND 58530, USA

  1. Fort Stevenson/North Pine Loop - Fort Stevenson State Park (near Garrison)

ND Parks and Recreation Department/Flickr This winter hike in North Dakota winds through the calm forests surrounding parts of the northern shore of Lake Sakakawea. You can walk the trail or cross country ski. It’s simply stunning! Fort Stevenson State Park, 1252A 41st Ave NW, Garrison, ND 58540, USA

  1. Whitetail Trail - Turtle River State Park (near Grand Forks)

ND Parks and Recreation Department/Flickr This 1.31-mile trail takes you on a path along the winding Turtle River as well as over it halfway through. It is open to both cross country skiing and hiking, and you can bring your dog along with you! Turtle River State Park, 3084 Park Ave NE, Arvilla, ND 58214, USA

  1. Woodland Trail - Beaver Lake State Park (near Napoleon)

ND Parks and Recreation Department/Flickr Alongside Beaver Lake are some beautiful trails that you can take, including the .67 mile Woodland Trail. They are lovely in the wintertime! Beaver Lake State Park, 3850 70th St SE, Wishek, ND 58495, USA

  1. Beaver Loop Trail - Lake Metigoshe State Park (near Bottineau)

ND Parks and Recreation Department/Flickr The breathtaking Beaver Loop trail goes through wooded areas, over two bridges, and offers regular hiking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. It is just under two miles long and goes around and near multiple ponds and lakes. Lake Metigoshe State Park, Roland, ND 58318, USA

  1. Shoreline Trail - Lake Sakakawea State Park (near Pick City)

ND Parks and Recreation Department/Flickr Take a scenic stroll along the shoreline of Lake Sakakawea on this delightful trail. They do allow for snowshoeing and cross country skiing here, as well as regular hiking. Whichever you prefer, it is a very scenic winter hike in North Dakota! Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota, USA

  1. Gunlogsun Nature Preserve Trail - Icelandic State Park (near Cavalier)

ND Parks and Recreation Department/Flickr The winding trail through part of the 200 acre nature preserve in this state park will take you through some absolutely amazing sights. There are plenty of plants and animals to be found here, some that you won’t find any other place in North Dakota. Gunlogson State Nature Preserve, Cavalier Air Force Station, ND 58220, USA

  1. Grahams Island Trails - Grahams Island State Park (near Devils Lake)

ND Parks and Recreation Department/Flickr Right alongside of Devils Lake, there are about three miles of cross country ski trails that are groomed weekly all winter long at this state park. They make great trails to go at your own pace and just enjoy your surroundings. Grahams Island State Park, 152 South Duncan Road, Devils Lake, ND 58301, USA

You can find exact locations, maps, and more information at the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department website.

ND Parks and Recreation Department/Flickr

Surround yourself with peaceful, frosty forests in Cross Ranch State Park on the lovely Cottonwood Trail. This specific trail is kept groomed for skiing each winter, and snowshoe rentals are also available here.

Cross Ranch State Park, 1403 River Rd, Center, ND 58530, USA

This winter hike in North Dakota winds through the calm forests surrounding parts of the northern shore of Lake Sakakawea. You can walk the trail or cross country ski. It’s simply stunning!

Fort Stevenson State Park, 1252A 41st Ave NW, Garrison, ND 58540, USA

This 1.31-mile trail takes you on a path along the winding Turtle River as well as over it halfway through. It is open to both cross country skiing and hiking, and you can bring your dog along with you!

Turtle River State Park, 3084 Park Ave NE, Arvilla, ND 58214, USA

Alongside Beaver Lake are some beautiful trails that you can take, including the .67 mile Woodland Trail. They are lovely in the wintertime!

Beaver Lake State Park, 3850 70th St SE, Wishek, ND 58495, USA

The breathtaking Beaver Loop trail goes through wooded areas, over two bridges, and offers regular hiking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. It is just under two miles long and goes around and near multiple ponds and lakes.

Lake Metigoshe State Park, Roland, ND 58318, USA

Take a scenic stroll along the shoreline of Lake Sakakawea on this delightful trail. They do allow for snowshoeing and cross country skiing here, as well as regular hiking. Whichever you prefer, it is a very scenic winter hike in North Dakota!

Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota, USA

The winding trail through part of the 200 acre nature preserve in this state park will take you through some absolutely amazing sights. There are plenty of plants and animals to be found here, some that you won’t find any other place in North Dakota.

Gunlogson State Nature Preserve, Cavalier Air Force Station, ND 58220, USA

Right alongside of Devils Lake, there are about three miles of cross country ski trails that are groomed weekly all winter long at this state park. They make great trails to go at your own pace and just enjoy your surroundings.

Grahams Island State Park, 152 South Duncan Road, Devils Lake, ND 58301, USA

What are your favorite places to hike in winter? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! And for more fun ideas, check out our list of the best things to do in North Dakota in the winter!

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Winter Hikes in North Dakota December 12, 2021 Tori Jane Where are the best places for cold weather hiking in North Dakota? North Dakota is home to plentiful stunning hiking trails, many of which are open during winter. Some of our favorite places include the White Tail trail, near Grand Forks, which is short and sweet and oh-so-snowy during the cold months. We also love the trails at most of our state parks at this time of year, like the Beaver Loop trail, which is nestled within Lake Metigoshe State Park. And what shortlist of amazing winter hikes in North Dakota would be complete without mentioning the out-of-this-world beauty that is the Shoreline Trail along Lake Sakakawea; it’s amazing and well worth it. No matter where you go, you’re likely to find at least one or two solid winter hiking trails. North Dakota is a gorgeous place – even at its coldest. What are some fun things to do in the winter in North Dakota? North Dakota is wonderful during winter, even if it gets a bit (okay, a lot) cold sometimes. Sure, you can always do the classics, like finding a snowy hill and going snow-sledding, or maybe making a snowman, but there are also plenty of epically fun things to do that you might not think of. For example, almost every town and city has an array of events like festivals, tree lightings, Christmas lights displays (both of the drive-thru variety and the walk-through variety), nativity scenes, and SO much more. North Dakota is truly a fun place to be during the holiday seasons, and during winter in general. You can also do some wildlife watching; the critters who endure the winters here with us are amazing to watch. You can also go cross-country skiing, ice skating, and so much more. Winter in North Dakota is a truly magical time that you’ve just got to experience at least once. And while we’re at it, maybe you’ll be interested in reasons people totally, definitely, absolutely don’t want to visit North Dakota in the winter.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Winter Hikes in North Dakota

December 12, 2021

Tori Jane

Where are the best places for cold weather hiking in North Dakota? North Dakota is home to plentiful stunning hiking trails, many of which are open during winter. Some of our favorite places include the White Tail trail, near Grand Forks, which is short and sweet and oh-so-snowy during the cold months. We also love the trails at most of our state parks at this time of year, like the Beaver Loop trail, which is nestled within Lake Metigoshe State Park. And what shortlist of amazing winter hikes in North Dakota would be complete without mentioning the out-of-this-world beauty that is the Shoreline Trail along Lake Sakakawea; it’s amazing and well worth it. No matter where you go, you’re likely to find at least one or two solid winter hiking trails. North Dakota is a gorgeous place – even at its coldest. What are some fun things to do in the winter in North Dakota? North Dakota is wonderful during winter, even if it gets a bit (okay, a lot) cold sometimes. Sure, you can always do the classics, like finding a snowy hill and going snow-sledding, or maybe making a snowman, but there are also plenty of epically fun things to do that you might not think of. For example, almost every town and city has an array of events like festivals, tree lightings, Christmas lights displays (both of the drive-thru variety and the walk-through variety), nativity scenes, and SO much more. North Dakota is truly a fun place to be during the holiday seasons, and during winter in general. You can also do some wildlife watching; the critters who endure the winters here with us are amazing to watch. You can also go cross-country skiing, ice skating, and so much more. Winter in North Dakota is a truly magical time that you’ve just got to experience at least once. And while we’re at it, maybe you’ll be interested in reasons people totally, definitely, absolutely don’t want to visit North Dakota in the winter.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

North Dakota is home to plentiful stunning hiking trails, many of which are open during winter. Some of our favorite places include the White Tail trail, near Grand Forks, which is short and sweet and oh-so-snowy during the cold months. We also love the trails at most of our state parks at this time of year, like the Beaver Loop trail, which is nestled within Lake Metigoshe State Park. And what shortlist of amazing winter hikes in North Dakota would be complete without mentioning the out-of-this-world beauty that is the Shoreline Trail along Lake Sakakawea; it’s amazing and well worth it. No matter where you go, you’re likely to find at least one or two solid winter hiking trails. North Dakota is a gorgeous place – even at its coldest.

What are some fun things to do in the winter in North Dakota?

North Dakota is wonderful during winter, even if it gets a bit (okay, a lot) cold sometimes. Sure, you can always do the classics, like finding a snowy hill and going snow-sledding, or maybe making a snowman, but there are also plenty of epically fun things to do that you might not think of. For example, almost every town and city has an array of events like festivals, tree lightings, Christmas lights displays (both of the drive-thru variety and the walk-through variety), nativity scenes, and SO much more. North Dakota is truly a fun place to be during the holiday seasons, and during winter in general. You can also do some wildlife watching; the critters who endure the winters here with us are amazing to watch. You can also go cross-country skiing, ice skating, and so much more. Winter in North Dakota is a truly magical time that you’ve just got to experience at least once. And while we’re at it, maybe you’ll be interested in reasons people totally, definitely, absolutely don’t want to visit North Dakota in the winter.