North Dakota: Where the West Begins on Horseback. From the rugged Badlands to the forested Turtle Mountains, one of the best ways
to see the land "where the west begins" is on horseback. Horses played an important part in the settlement of North Dakota, from the pioneer lore found in the eastern half of the state, to the cavalry and ranching heritage of the west. Today, many areas still remain accessible only by horseback or on foot. Some of the best areas for horseback riding:
Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Explore North Dakota's Badlands just as Theodore Roosevelt did, on horseback. The South Unit of the park features over 80 miles of marked horse trails, plus countless unmarked trails carved by the park1s buffalo herd. Riders are permitted in all areas of the park except for the camping and picnicking areas and nature trails. A group horse campground is available in the South Unit by reservation, and backcountry horse camping is allowed. Horse rentals and guided trail rides are also available. Popular riding areas include Petrified Forest, Halliday Wells and Painted Canyon. Be sure to watch for bison, wild horses, long-horned cattle, elk and deer. Horse trails can also be found in the North Unit. (
www.nps.gov/thro)
Sully Creek State Recreation Area. Those wishing to bring their own horses into the Badlands frequently use Sully Creek, with its horse corrals and primitive camping facilities as their staging area. Located near the historic western town of Medora, the park trails connect with those on the nearby Little Missouri National Grassland. (
www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/scsp.htm)
Little Missouri State Park. More than 25 miles of the trails crisscross the Badlands terrain of the 6,000-acre park, most of which is accessible only on horseback or on foot. The park provides corrals for those bringing in their own mounts, and guided tours and horse rentals are available by a private concessionaire. An especially good time to ride in this park is the spring, when the Badlands come alive with blooming cactus and wild lilies. Bobcats, mule deer, golden eagles and other wildlife roam this primitive setting. (
www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/lmbsp.htm)
Turtle Mountain State Forest. More than 7,000 acres provide miles of winding, scenic trails in the heavily wooded Turtle Mountains. Both day-long riding facilities and primitive camping are available at Strawberry Lake. (
www.ndsu.nodak.edu/forestservice/stateforest/turtle_mtn.htm)
Fort Ransom State Park. The park has several riding trails, plus two horse corrals and camping areas in the beautiful Sheyenne River Valley. (
www.ndparks.com/parks/FRSP.htm)
Sheyenne National Grassland and Little Missouri National Grassland. Horseback riding is allowed in all of the state's national
grasslands. Explore the 70,000-acre Sheyenne National Grassland on horseback, including its 25-mile segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Established trails can also be found in the million-acre-plus Little Missouri National Grassland. Maps of both of these areas can be found at the U.S. Forest Service district offices. (
www.fs.fed.us/r1/dakotaprairie and www.fs.fed.us/r1/dakotaprairie)
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. Rich in both military and early Indian history, Fort Abraham Lincoln was once an important infantry and cavalry post. It was from this fort that Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and the 7th Cavalry rode out on their ill-fated expedition against the Sioux at the Little Bighorn. Portions of the military post, including the Custer House, have been reconstructed. Travel back in time on your own steed or join a trail ride across these historic grounds. (
www.parkrec.nd.gov/Parks/FLSP.htm)
Maah Daah Hey Trail. This trail is a 96-mile non-motorized trail open for biking, hiking and horseback riding. The Maah Daah Hey Trail begins at Sully Creek State Park, approximately five miles south of historic Medora, and meanders north through the two units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Little Missouri National Grassland. (
www.mdhta.com)
Details
Go to
www.NDTourism.com
U.S. Forest Service. 1(701) 225-5151 or
www.fs.fed.us
National Park Service. 1(701) 623-4466 or
www.nps.gov
North Dakota Parks and Recreation. 1(701) 328-5357 or
www.ndparks.com
Horseback Riding Outfitters (A few of the many)
Dakota Hills Trail Rides. 3863 77th Ave., SE, Jamestown. Hourly rides available. Also one- to seven-day trail rides on the open prairie region. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, call for reservations. 1(701) 252-0362.
Badlands Trail Rides. 18 miles north of Killdeer on ND Highway 22. Guided horseback rides through the beautiful North Dakota Badlands in Little Missouri State Park. Cabins, camping and RV sites with electricity available. (1(701) 764-5219 or
www.badlandstrailrides.com)
Medora Riding Stables. East of Medora. Guided trail rides through North Dakota Badlands. One- to three-hour rides. Memorial Day through mid-September. (1-800-MEDORA-1 or
www.medora.com/attractions/trailrides.html)
Peaceful Valley Ranch. 7 miles into Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Between September and May. 1 1/2 hour trail rides, evening rides, and daybreak rides are available alongside the Little Missouri River. Peaceful Valley is surrounded by colorful badland country. (1(701) 677-4260 or
home.ctctel.com/peacefulvalley)
Little Knife Outfitters. 15 miles south of Watford City. June through September. One-, two- or five-day high adventure trail rides through the Badlands in and near the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and along the Maah Daah Hey Trail. (1(701)842-2631 or
www.littleknifeoutfitters.com)
Knife River Ranch. 10 miles south of Golden Valley. Ride a trustworthy ranch horse on the open prairie like the first settlers. Trail rides customized to fit individual riders. (1(701) 983-4290 or
www.kniferiverranch.com)
Dahkotah Lodge. 20 miles south of Medora. Working cattle ranch in the Badlands. Cabins, cattle drives, branding and roundups. (1(701) 623-4897)
Maah Daah Hey Lodge. Grassy Butte. Working cattle ranch west of Grassy Butte. Corrals and horses available. (1(701) 225-6109)
Naard Creek Ranck Killdeer. Secluded modern cabin in the Badlands sleeps 10. Nature's paradise for birding, hiking, photography, trail riding, family vacations and many other adventure opportunities. Corrals available. (1(701) 863-6911 or
www.naardcreek.com)
Cannonball River Wagon Company. Flasher. Cannonball River Wagon Company offers horseback riding adventures along the Cannonball River. Participants ride horseback or in a covered wagon. Meals served from a chuckwagon. Camping, wildlife viewing, storytelling, campfires. Two annual wagon train adventures. (1(701) 597-3910)
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