Maah Daah Hey Trail, ND

The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a 144 mile single-track, multi-use trail between Watford City and Medora. The trail is best for the intermediate to advanced mountain biker. There are plenty of campgrounds along the way to ride the Maah Daah Hey Trail with your dog into a biking trip.

Maah Daah Hey Trail Quick Links
Pawtivity Listing: Essential info and tips for dog owners. Link
Website: http://mdhta.com/
Maps & Access: http://mdhta.com/trail-guide/#trails/maah-daah-hey
Start: Burning Coal Campground – Medora, ND 46.59823, -103.445 Map
End: CCC Campground – Grassy Butte, ND 47.587370, -103.277838 Map
Terrain: Sand, Dirt, Rocks, River Crossings
Elevation: Varied with constant changes. Sections of the trail can be very difficult and steep. Chart: http://mdhta.com/trail-guide/#trails/maah-daah-hey
Dog Policy: Dogs must be leashed (6ft). Dogs are limited to certain areas within Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Info
Motor Vehicles: Not Allowed

Dogs must be leashed on the trail. When in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, bikers and dogs are not allowed on the trail. If you are at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit, take a detour at the Buffalo Gap Trail (between mile 49 and mile 62) marked by a buffalo trail marker. Alternatively, you can just start your ride at the Buffalo Gap Campground.

A great interactive map is available to visitors of the trail. There are several access points and campgrounds along the trail. Map: http://mdhta.com/trail-guide/#trails/maah-daah-hey

The Maah Daah Hey Trail starts and ends at (from south to north):

Burning Coal Vein Trailhead
Burning Coal Vein Campground
Medora, ND 58645
GPS Coordinates 46.59823, -103.445 Map

CCC Campground Trailhead
CCC Campground
Grassy Butte, ND 58634
Watford City, ND
GPS Coordinates 47.58635, -103.2786 Map

Two points of interest on the trail are China Wall between mile 128 and 129 of the trail (GPS Coordinates 47.4899, -103.4122 Map) and Devil’s Post between mile 100 and 101 of the trail (GPS Coordinates 47.2954, -103.5372 Map).

There are additional trails in the general area, including the Maah Daah Hey Trail. More Trails: http://mdhta.com/about/

If you want to do a day hike with your dog consider going on the Long X Trail (5.8 miles) starting at CCC Trailhead (GPS Coordinates 47.58635, -103.2786 Map) located at CCC Campground. This trail connects with the Maah Daah Hey Trail and will give you great views of the badlands. Another trail is the Summit trail (3.8 miles), which branches off the Maah Daah Hey Trail at Mile 142 south of CCC Campground and ends at the Summit Campground.

Interested in camping along the Maah Daah Hey Trail? Here is a list of campgrounds in the area from south to north. Some campgrounds have day use parking and direct access to the Maah Daah Hey Trail. Reservations are required at two of the campgrounds; Cottonwood Campground and Sully Creek Campground. Refer to the interactive map for links to campgrounds.

• Burning Coal Vein – close to trail
• Coal Creek
• Sully Creek Campground – close to trail, reservations required. (North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department)
• Cottonwood – reservations required.
• Buffalo Gap
• Wannagan – day use parking, close to trail
• Elkhorn – close to trail
• Magppie – day use parking, very close to trail
• Bennett – day use parking, offers 2 other trails in the area
• Summit
• CCC – day use parking, direct access to trail

Primitive camping is also available on US Forest Service and National Park Service (permit required) lands, however, for most it’s much easier and safer with your dog to just stay at one the many campgrounds offered.

Looking for a shuttle service provider that will also haul your camping equipment? Consider Dakota Cyclery. To save on cost, you can also share a shuttle with others. Another option would be to get a non-biking friend or family member to haul your gear to the campsites you’ll be staying at.

Help a fellow dog owner! Do you have an adventure story? Contact us and we will link it to this pawtivity or event! Where did you go? What did you do? Please include any useful tips and advice that would help others!

Location: Grassy Butte | Medora | North Dakota
Activities: Walking, Biking, Running, Hiking, Camping