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Home , Fort Ransom State Park, North Country Trail

Lonetree Wildlife Management Area - 16th Street to 18th Street NE Lake Ashtabula - West Ashtabula Crossing to Wesley Acres Trailhead Sheyenne State Forest SUGGESTED HIKES D Distance: 2.5 miles / Difficulty: Moderate G Distance: 5 miles / Difficulty: Easy to Moderate K Distance: 4.4 miles / Difficulty: Moderate Hike along the edge of the Sheyenne River Valley through native prairie. Enjoy This segment travels south from the West Ashtabula Campground through a The State Forest offers an out and back segment to access ’s only wildflowers in the summer and abundant birdlife year round. > Map: bit.ly/2KSvbtr few grazed pastures along the north side of Baldhill Creek through the Wieland certified waterfall and two remote campsites (no toilet facilities). It is located about CANADA WMA. The Wieland WMA offers some unique plant communities including prickly 3 miles southeast of Fort Ransom on the Sheyenne River Scenic Byway (County pear, sagebrush and yucca. The segment ends at the Wesley Acres trailhead at Road 13). This segment offers many vista views of the river valley and wildlife County Hwy 19. > Map: bit.ly/2IVWwsZ Lake Sakakawea State Park to Riverdale Lake Ashtabula - Hannaford Wildlife Management Area to Karnak Landing viewing opportunities. > Map: bit.ly/2IWCqib A Distance: 6 miles / Difficulty: Easy to Moderate E Distance: 6 miles / Difficulty: Moderate Hike from the NCT’s western terminus through the Park on rolling hills covered by The travels south from the north end of the Wildlife Management Area following Valley City Between the Ekre Grassland Preserve and the Sheyenne National prairie and woodlands. Next, cross the 3rd largest earthen Dam with great views the riparian habitat along the east shore of the Sheyenne River. After two miles the Distance: 4.5 miles / Difficulty: Moderate Grassland (SNG) Distance: 6.5 miles / Difficulty: Moderate out onto Lake Sakakawea and down the Missouri River. End in Riverdale, a former trail travels west along a gravel road and across a bridge to the west shore of the H L federal “company town” during the Garrison Dam construction period and North Sheyenne River at which point it turns south again. Here the river widens into a On this section, the NCT crosses private land and Section Line right-of-way and Dakota’s newest City. > Map: bit.ly/2KP5bip This segment runs through wooded hillsides, the central business district, marsh. The trail travels through pastures and wild grasslands for four miles to Karnak part of the Sheyenne . Access to this point-to-point hike is from Landing with views of the Karnak railroad trestle. > Map: bit.ly/2IUlcBT Valley City State University, Medicine Wheel Park, and City Park. The trail follows portions of the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway and the Historic either the Ekre Grassland Preserve trailhead or the SNG East Trailhead. The terrain Bridges tour in Valley City. Parking along the trail is available at the Rosebud includes pasture land, oak and aspen woods, sand hills, oak savannas, and cattail swamps, with several puncheons across wet areas. > Map: bit.ly/2KRa36S Audubon Visitor Center and Medicine Wheel Park. > Map: bit.ly/2IWwVQo Lake Ashtabula - Karnak Landing to the Village of Sibley Distance: 7 miles / Difficulty: Easy to Moderate B F Distance: 5 miles / Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Hike from the Refuge Visitors Center to the 9th Street NW Trailhead to see more of Sheyenne River Overlook Hike in Barrie Township the Refuge. Another hike opportunity is the 1-mile Prairie Nature Trail that leaves South of Karnak Landing the marsh opens up to form Lake Ashtabula. A remote campsite, Ladies Line - Clausen Springs Recreation Area to Kathryn M Distance: 3.4 miles / Difficulty: Easy to Moderate from the Visitors Center. > Map: bit.ly/2BTbDD9 about 4 ½ miles south of Karnak, is available with a permit from the Corps of Engineers I Distance: 4.5 miles / Difficulty: Easy (701-845-2970). At the Village of Sibley hikers will find a café offering a warm meal and a This beautiful 3.4-mile NCT segment on private land has great views of the Sheyenne swim beach to cool off. Watch the water and shoreline for green and blue herons, egrets, This segment is a great place to see pheasant and to hear the frogs in nearby ponds. River valley and crosses oak savannas, steep ravines, sand hills, and prairie pastures. double crested cormorants, pelicans and a variety of ducks. > Map: bit.ly/2KQAw4s The level grade makes for pleasant walking. An additional 2-mile loop around the A campsite is located near the river. There are trailheads with parking on Richland lake offers pretty lake views, secluded camping and picnic areas, pine forest and an County roads 160th Ave. SE and 59th St. SE. > Map: bit.ly/2IWLjbE Lonetree Wildlife Management Area - Jensen Campground to Coal earthen dam. There are campsites, fresh water and restrooms available at both ends C Mine Lake Campground Distance: 5.5 miles / Difficulty: Easy to Moderate of this segment with showers available at Clausen Springs. > Map: bit.ly/2KRIc6D Hike from a rustic campground up and over Teepee Ring Hill and then along Sheyenne Minot Colfax to Walcott and Coal Mine Lakes to another rustic campground. Watch for abundant waterfowl Distance: 7 miles / Difficulty: Easy and enjoy the amazing view from atop Teepee Ring Hill. > Map: bit.ly/2KQDS7q N J Distance: 4.3 miles / Difficulty: Moderate This scenic 7-mile NCT segment parallels an active railroad track and features native prairie, numerous boardwalks through wetlands, and abundant wildlife. There is also Hike a loop leaving from the Visitors Center on the NCT and return on the Redetzke good food to be found in both towns after your hike. > Map: bit.ly/2IW7EGe Ridge Trail. Hike beside the Sheyenne River, through native prairie, and along wooded MONTANA ravines. > Map: bit.ly/2BR6bjZ Grand Forks

Harvey U.S. 83 D C 27 31 30 28 32 29 New Rockford 26 Find the map at B McHenry northcountrytrail.org 39 Binford 38 37 25 41 24 43 40 Coleharbor 42 A Turtle Lake 36 33 McClusky Riverdale N.D. 200 23 Cooperstown 35 22 34 E 21 I-29 20 F U.S. 281 19 TRAIL WAYPOINTS NORTH SCALE G 18 Sibley 0 25 50 100 TRAILHEAD WAYPOINT CAMPGROUND SUGGESTED HIKE 17 1-9 Dakota Prairie Chapter 10-22 Sheyenne River Valley Chapter SCALE IN MILES 16 H Valley City 15 I-94 Fargo Bismarck 35 Boat Access Trailhead 27 Start of the New Rockford Canal segment GPS Location: 47.357797, -100.719273 GPS Location: 47.723230, -99.147284 14 13 I 19 Lake Ashtabula – West Ashtabula Crossing 11 City of Fort Ransom Kathryn 36 Hwy 200/41 crossing 28 End of the New Rockford Canal segment Trailhead & Campground GPS Location: 46.520410, -97.925976 M Walcott GPS Location: 47.487167, -100.871179 & Lonetree WMA east trailhead 3 GPS Location: 47.160752, -98.009339 12 4 N Fort Ransom 5 GPS Location: 47.688174, -99.946463 11 10 Colfax 37 Western end of McClusky Canal segment 12 Fort Ransom State Park J 6 2 K L 1 and start of Audubon NWR segment 20 Lake Ashtabula – Sibley Trailhead – Visitors Center & Campground 9 7 29 Lisbon Abercrombie GPS Location: 47.568218, -101.094062 Lonetree WMA - Faul Campground & Trailhead GPS Location: 47.213629, -97.964407 GPS Location: 46.547590, -97.931276 8 GPS Location: 47.651948, -100.069276 38 Audubon NWR – middle trailhead 21 Lake Ashtabula – Karnak Trailhead 13 City of Kathryn Wahpeton GPS Location: 47.545680, -101.166548 30 Lonetree WMA – Coal Mine Lake GPS Location: 47.269103, -98.011300 GPS Location: 46.680056, -97.968925 Campground & Trailhead 6 Sheyenne National Grassland - Middle Trailhead 1 Fort Abercrombie State Historic Site - Hubbel Pond WMA GPS Location: 47.678315, -100.138240 GPS Location: 46.475010, -97.343284 39 Audubon NWR – Visitors Center 22 Sheyenne West WMA Trailhead 14 Clausen Springs Rec. Area GPS Location: 46.444538, -96.718896 GPS Location: 47.577800, -101.247173 GPS Location: 47.340241, -97.977644 GPS Location: 46.682122, -98.044917 31 Lonetree WMA - Jensen Campground & Trailhead 7 Sheyenne National Grassland – Hwy 27 parking area 2 Colfax 40 City of Coleharbor GPS Location: 47.695601, -100.239382 23 City of Cooperstown 15 Valley City – Rosebud Visitors Center GPS Location: 46.441809, -97.406541 GPS Location: 46.475241, -96.878328 GPS Location: 47.545496, -101.227773 GPS Location: 47.442523, -98.123808 GPS Location: 46.923458, -98.004904 32 Lonetree WMA – West Trailhead & Start of 8 Sheyenne National Grassland – West Trailhead 3 Walcott 41 Wolf Creek Campground McClusky Canal 24 City of Binford SOUTH DAKOTA 16 Valley City National Fish Hatchery GPS Location: 46.398934, -97.469053 GPS Location: 46.547959, -96.939171 GPS Location: 47.545592, -101.313360 GPS Location: 47.695926, -100.335902 GPS Location: 47.558291, -98.345972 GPS Location: 46.959654, -98.021510 4 Ekre Grassland Preserve Trailhead (loop ) 9 City of Lisbon 42 Garrison Dam – Spillway overlook parking area GPS Location: 46.554394, -97.137516 33 Hwy 200 crossing by City of McClusky 17 GPS Location: 46.441460, -97.681481 GPS Location: 47.490723, -101.391716 25 City of McHenry U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Baldhill Dam Office GPS Location: 47.480443, -100.493246 GPS Location: 47.572853, -98.585030 GPS Location: 47.035598, -98.083347 5 Sheyenne National Grassland 43 NCT’s Western terminus at the Lake 10 Sheyenne River State Forest – Martinson - Jorgen’s Hollow Campground, East Sakakawea State Park Visitors Center 34 New Johns Lake - East Boating Access Trailhead 26 City of New Rockford 18 Lake Ashtabula – Katie Olsen’s Landing Bridge Trailhead Trailhead, Oak Leaf loop trail GPS Location: 47.519572, -101.453295 GPS Location: 47.321514, -100.627001 GPS Location: 47.680084, -99.136986 GPS Location: 47.095347, -98.026415 GPS Location: 46.502767, -97.878018 GPS Location: 46.548280, -97.140794 FEATURED SECTION

ABOUT THE

The North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT for short) is The NCTA works with local Chapters who manage and a footpath that extends 4,600-miles from the Appalachian maintain a segment of the Trail. Volunteers build, maintain, Trail in west to Lake Sakakawea State Park in North and promote the trail throughout seven states. In North Help Prevent Dakota. It is one of 11 National Scenic Trails designated by Dakota the local chapters, Sheyenne River Valley (SRV) Congress and dates back to May 5, 1980. Its sister trails and Dakota Prairie (DPC), organize hikes and have regular The Spread Of include the Pacific Crest, Continental Divide, Ice Age, and meetings. The public is welcome at all activities. STOP INVASIVE SPECIES Invasive Plants Appalachian Trails. Learn more about the NCTA at northcountrytrail.org/ And Animals. The NCT is administered by the but is about. We invite you to join us in our effort to build this • REMOVE plants, animals & mud built, maintained, promoted, and protected primarily by local national treasure. IN YOUR TRACKS. from boots, gear, pets & vehicle. volunteers of the non-profit North Country Trail Association • CLEAN your gear before entering & leaving the recreation site. (NCTA). The NCTA is the official partner of the National JOIN & SUPPORT US! Clean Your Gear Before Entering • STAY on designated roads & trails. Park Service in managing the NCT along with all the local • USE CERTIFIED or local rewood & partners – Federal, State, and local government agencies; And Before Leaving The Recreation Site. hay. other organizations; and private landowners.

LEARN MORE ONLINE ABOUT THE NCT IN NORTH DAKOTA ABOUT THE LOCAL CHAPTERS • Following the trail is made easier by the iconic “blue blazes” painted on trees and signposts. This blaze can be seen along northcountrytrail.org/trail/north-dakota

the route from to North Dakota. It is a 2-inch by (Includes section descriptions, a link to an interactive map and The 430 miles of the NCT in North Dakota traverse the eastern Sheyenne River Valley (SRV) Chapter 6-inch mark. downloadable maps, schedule of Chapter activities, etc.). two-thirds of the State. The Trail’s route generally follows the Based in Valley City, the Sheyenne River Valley (SRV) Chapter is route of the State’s longest river – the Sheyenne River - from responsible for 93 miles of the NCT from the north end of Lake Check out our Chapter pages the Ekre Grassland Preserve in the east to Lonetree Wildlife Ashtabula east to the Sheyenne State Forest’s eastern boundary. northcountrytrail.org/dpc & northcountrytrail.org/srv Management Area in the west. The NCT is also routed along Most of the NCT traverses the Sheyenne River Valley, a deep two canals and an unbuilt reservoir that are part of the Garrison glacial meltwater trench carved by the Sheyenne River which facebook.com/NCTinND Diversion Project – a federal water project designed to bring drained glacial Lake Souris into Lake Agassiz. Check our • Hiking maps are available for downloading from the NCTA’s irrigation water from the Missouri River to eastern North Dakota. Meetup group or email us at [email protected] website. These maps can be used on your smartphone via Join the “Hike the NCT in ND” Meetup group to be the AvenzaPDF app. notified of our activities meetup.com/NCThikersinND While using the NCT, please remember to do your part to and Most of the NCT is located in native grasslands, in grazed Learn more at northcountrytrail.org/trail/maps MAP WAYPOINT GUIDE Dakota Prairie Chapter (DPC) prevent the spread of terrestrial invasive species that may pastures, or in deciduous woodlands. About 40% of the NCT The Dakota Prairie Chapter segment enters ND at Fort • The NCT is never open to motorized vehicles except where be carried by you (e.g. seeds on your clothing or in your temporarily follows public roads as we work with private Abercrombie 35 miles south of Fargo and crosses prairie, the NCT follows a public road. Follow all posted rules. AGENCY PARTNER CONTACTS boots), on your pets, or on your gear. Before heading out landowners to secure access and develop new off-road segments. pastures, sand hills and the “beach ridges” of the former • Pets should be kept on a leash or under their owners’ direct to the trailhead, clean all vegetative debris off you, your Lake Agassiz on its way to Lisbon. In addition to mixed forest control at all times. Some sections on private land are North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department gear, and your pets and then clean again before leaving with oak, aspen, and birch, there are rare and unique plant the site. Learn more at http://playcleango.org/take-action/ Highlights Along the NCT in North Dakota Include closed to hiking with pets. Adhere to signage. • (701) 328-5357 communities along their 90+ mile trail. Check our Meetup stop-invasives#trailusers. • Fort Abercrombie State Historic Site group or email us at [email protected] U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • Lake Sakakawea/Garrison Dam (701) 654-7411 • Sheyenne National Grassland Both Chapters invite you to join them for a guided hike or to USING THE NCT ON PRIVATE LAND • Lake-Ashtabula/Baldhill-Dam (701) 845-2970 • Sheyenne River State Forest and ND’s only waterfall get involved building and maintaining the Trail! North Dakota Game & Fish Department • Fort Ransom State Park Many private landowners have agreed to host segments of the • Lonetree office: (701) 324-2211 NCT on their land for little or no compensation. You can help • HQ office: (701) 328-6300 • Clausen Springs Recreation Area maintain positive relationships between the NCTA and these • Valley City’s “Bridge Tour” landowners by following all posted rules, including: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – Audubon National Wildlife Refuge HOW TO USE THE NCT • (701) 442-5474 • VCSU’s Medicine Wheel Park Another positive choice you can make is to adhere to The • It is free to use the North Country Trail. The Trail is open for 1. Travel only by foot U.S. Bureau of Reclamation • (701) 250-4242 Leave No Trace Seven Principles, which are designed to • Lake Ashtabula hiking, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. There are also 2. Stay on the trail and do not trespass for other reasons Garrison Diversion Conservancy District • (701) 652-3194 minimize your impacts to the trail, to wildlife, and to other • Minuteman Missile State Historic Site areas that allow horses and mountain bikes. trail users’ experiences. 3. Do not hunt, fish, or trap without the landowners’ permission U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – Valley City National Fish Hatchery • Lonetree Wildlife Management Area • No permits are necessary or fees required for hiking the NCT 4. Camp only in designated sites (unless you are on public land • (701) 845-3464 except within certain properties that charge entrance fees or The 7 Principles Are • Chain of Lakes Recreation Area along the McClusky Canal and dispersed camping is allowed) collect camping fees – e.g. Lake Sakakawea State Park, Fort City of Valley City Parks Dept. • (701) 845-3294 1. Plan Ahead and Prepare • Audubon National Wildlife Refuge Ransom State Park. 5. Build campfires only in designated campsites in a fire ring Barnes County Park District • (701) 762-4450 2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces 3. Dispose of Waste Properly • Garrison Dam 6. Do not damage vegetation or walk on crops • Because the trail takes you through some private land and U.S. Forest Service - Sheyenne National Grassland 4. Leave What You Find • Lake Sakakawea State Park (the NCT’s western terminus) popular public hunting areas please exercise caution DURING 7. Pack out all your trash and any left by others • (701) 683-4342 5. Minimize Campfire Impacts HUNTING SEASON. 8. Leave all gates as you found them and use fence stiles Albert Ekre Grassland Preserve – NDSU Range Science Dept. 6. Respect Wildlife • (701) 231-7582 7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors 9. Be cautious of and do not harass livestock State Historical Society of North Dakota 10. Be respectful of the landowners’ other uses for their land • Fort Abercrombie: (701) 553-8513 © 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: LNT.org • HQ: (701) 328-2666