North Dakota is big and beautiful and there is so much hiking to do! This state is full of fantastic trails that will take you to beautiful, wide-open locations. If you’re someone who likes to hike near water, then this is the list for you. These five trails are all very different from one another, but they all have one thing in common – you’ll see water along the way, and in turn, you’ll probably see wildlife too. Enjoy!
- River Villages Trail; Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
Shilpa Gupta/Google Local Knife River Indian Villages of one of just a few National Parks Service sites in North Dakota. This is a very interesting place to visit as it was the home of Sacagawea before she joined Lewis & Clark on their journey west. Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, 564 County Rd 37, Stanton, ND 58571, USA
Milady GoGa/Google Local This is a lovely trail for history buffs. You’ll pass a field where Sacagawea’s village once stood. The homes are gone, but there is a replica you can check out.
Michelle H/Google Local This trail is a 1.6-mile loop trail. It’s flat, graveled, and dog-friendly. Before turning around, you can walk along the serene Knife River for a bit.
- Lower Paddock Creek Trail; Theodore Roosevelt National Park - North Unit
Alexander Ivakhniouk/Google Local Theodore Roosevelt National Park is like another world. There are incredible rock formations and you’ll see abundant wildlife. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, USA
Jason Hill/All Trails This 7.2-mile out-and-back trail is rated easy and has 419 feet of elevation gain. Dogs are not allowed on trails in this park.
Cristina Banahan/All Trails Along the way, you’ll see beautiful and memorable views as you walk along the Paddock Creek.
- Fort Ransom State Park Loop; Fort Ransom State Park
sagar shrestha/Google Local Fort Ransom State Park is about 90 minutes southwest of Fargo. It offers camping and several trails. Fort Ransom State Park, 5981 Walt Hjelle Pkwy, Fort Ransom, ND 58033, USA
Brad Reel/Google Local The Fort Ransom State Park Loop is a 9.1-mile loop trail. It’s rated moderate and if you do the whole thing, you’ll experience 734 feet of elevation gain.
Jake Warkentin/Google Local This trail is part of the North Country National Scenic Trail and it’s easy to see why. It’s generally quiet and not busy, but this is a multi-use trail so look out for bikes and horses.
- Harmon Lake Trail; Harmon Lake
Eric Pearson/Google Local Harmon Lake is just 20 minutes northwest of Bismarck, so it’s a great place to go if you want to get out of the city. Harmon Lake Trail, Mandan, ND 58554, USA
Sagar Regmi/Google Local This trail goes all the way around Harmon Lake. If you do the whole thing, it’s 8.3 miles total.
Eric G/All Trails Dogs are welcome and there are some places where they are allowed to be off-leash. You’ll both love the beauty of this trail.
- Shoreline Trail; Lake Sakakawea State Park
Odin Wallace/Google Local Lake Sakakawea State Park is a wonderful place to spend some time. Located on a peninsula, it’s surrounded by water on three sides. Lake Sakakawea State Park, Pick City, ND 58545, USA
Wesley Smith/Google Local The Shoreline Trail is a 4.4-mile out-and-back trail on the eastern side of the peninsula. It’s easy, not busy, and there’s only 127 feet of elevation gain along the way.
Shana N/Google Local This is a great trail to do at any time of day. You’ll be amazed at the views here.
These five waterfront trails ought to keep you busy for a while! Get out there and start exploring. There’s so much to see in North Dakota!
Shilpa Gupta/Google Local
Knife River Indian Villages of one of just a few National Parks Service sites in North Dakota. This is a very interesting place to visit as it was the home of Sacagawea before she joined Lewis & Clark on their journey west.
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, 564 County Rd 37, Stanton, ND 58571, USA
Milady GoGa/Google Local
This is a lovely trail for history buffs. You’ll pass a field where Sacagawea’s village once stood. The homes are gone, but there is a replica you can check out.
Michelle H/Google Local
This trail is a 1.6-mile loop trail. It’s flat, graveled, and dog-friendly. Before turning around, you can walk along the serene Knife River for a bit.
Alexander Ivakhniouk/Google Local
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is like another world. There are incredible rock formations and you’ll see abundant wildlife.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, USA
Jason Hill/All Trails
This 7.2-mile out-and-back trail is rated easy and has 419 feet of elevation gain. Dogs are not allowed on trails in this park.
Cristina Banahan/All Trails
Along the way, you’ll see beautiful and memorable views as you walk along the Paddock Creek.
sagar shrestha/Google Local
Fort Ransom State Park is about 90 minutes southwest of Fargo. It offers camping and several trails.
Fort Ransom State Park, 5981 Walt Hjelle Pkwy, Fort Ransom, ND 58033, USA
Brad Reel/Google Local
The Fort Ransom State Park Loop is a 9.1-mile loop trail. It’s rated moderate and if you do the whole thing, you’ll experience 734 feet of elevation gain.
Jake Warkentin/Google Local
This trail is part of the North Country National Scenic Trail and it’s easy to see why. It’s generally quiet and not busy, but this is a multi-use trail so look out for bikes and horses.
Eric Pearson/Google Local
Harmon Lake is just 20 minutes northwest of Bismarck, so it’s a great place to go if you want to get out of the city.
Harmon Lake Trail, Mandan, ND 58554, USA
Sagar Regmi/Google Local
This trail goes all the way around Harmon Lake. If you do the whole thing, it’s 8.3 miles total.
Eric G/All Trails
Dogs are welcome and there are some places where they are allowed to be off-leash. You’ll both love the beauty of this trail.
Odin Wallace/Google Local
Lake Sakakawea State Park is a wonderful place to spend some time. Located on a peninsula, it’s surrounded by water on three sides.
Lake Sakakawea State Park, Pick City, ND 58545, USA
Wesley Smith/Google Local
The Shoreline Trail is a 4.4-mile out-and-back trail on the eastern side of the peninsula. It’s easy, not busy, and there’s only 127 feet of elevation gain along the way.
Shana N/Google Local
This is a great trail to do at any time of day. You’ll be amazed at the views here.
If you’re looking for more great trails to try in North Dakota, check out this post: 7 Amazing North Dakota Hikes Under 3 Miles You’ll Absolutely Love
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