Best Cross Country Skiing in North Dakota

Trying to find the best cross country skiing in North Dakota? Bivy has great hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, skiing, riding and more, with hand-curated trail maps, as well as detailed driving directions.

1

North Dakota, Ward County

01 :16 hrs
4.9 mi
49.013123 ft
Hard

This is a beautiful ride that traverses pasture land above the river and climbs over Black Butte, the tallest butte for miles around. The trail is tight singletrack with occasional rocky technical sections and one muddy water crossing. Switchbacks up and back down the butte provide nice views of the surrounding area. This trail is entirely on private property so please be respectful of the land and any cattle or horses that may be grazing.

2

North Dakota, Bottineau County

03 :29 hrs
5.1 mi
11.417358 ft
Hard

The J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge is located along the Souris River in Bottineau and McHenry counties and comprises almost 60,000 acres of lake. The area is old lake bottom and has extremely flat topography and a high density of temporary wetlands. The Grassland Trail passes through prairie habitat adjacent to a large marsh. There are several numbered signs and a brochure describing the area. The views are spectacular and wildlife is abundant. Birding opportunities are phenomenal.

3

North Dakota, Bottineau County

02 :14 hrs
6.5 mi
10.760498 ft
Hard

Lake Metigoshe State Park is nestled in the scenic Turtle Mountains on the shores of Lake Metigoshe. The name “Metigoshe” is derived from the Chippewa language meaning “clear water lake surrounded by oaks.” The rolling hills, aspen forests and small lakes attract nature lovers to the area. A variety of wildlife is found on this trail including moose, white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, and loons. On this trail you will hike past several lakes with many great views as well as traversing beautiful and varied terrain.

4

North Dakota, Williams County

01 :18 hrs
3.6 mi
18.248962 ft
Moderate

The Lewis and Clark State Park is located on one of the upper bays of Lake Sakakawea. The rugged buttes of the North Dakota Badlands display a towering backdrop to one of the state’s best recreation areas. The park is named for and has an interpretive trail marker placed to commemorate the historic journey of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. This trail system extends from the trailhead north along the boundary of the park and returns parallel to Lake Sakakawea. You will hike through native prairie intermixed with traces of woody draws. Wonderful Badland vistas and an overlook of a beaver pond are found. A beautiful walking bridge, many benches, and sounds of many distinct birds add to the beauty.

5

North Dakota, Billings County

00 :48 hrs
3.1 mi
66.93744 ft
Hard

The Ice Caves are located on the northern edge of Billings County along the southern slope of a ridge capped by 30 feet of sandstone in the Sentinel Butte Formation. Large blocks of sandstone have become detached from the ridge cap and toppled down the slow, resting at various angles again one another, which has created the caves. Moisture inside the caves remains frozen into late spring or summer. On this trail you will follow a segment of the Maah Daah Hey Trail until you veer east, following the Ice Caves Trail. You will find yourself below large cliffs where the ice caves are all around. Be sure to get off your bike and explore these caves by foot.

6

North Dakota, Bottineau County

01 :12 hrs
3.5 mi
7.6875 ft
Moderate

Lake Metigoshe State Park is nestled in the scenic Turtle Mountains on the shores of Lake Metigoshe. The name “Metigoshe” is derived from the Chippewa language meaning “clear water lake surrounded by oaks.” The rolling hills, aspen forests and small lakes attract nature lovers to the area. A variety of wildlife is found on this trail including moose, white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, and loons. This loop trail passes by several lakes with many great vistas.

7

North Dakota, Bottineau County

01 :42 hrs
4.9 mi
13.11853 ft
Moderate

Lake Metigoshe State Park is nestled in the scenic Turtle Mountains on the shores of Lake Metigoshe. The name “Metigoshe” is derived from the Chippewa language meaning “clear water lake surrounded by oaks.” The rolling hills, aspen forests and small lakes attract nature lovers to the area. On this trail, keep an eye out for a variety of wildlife, including moose, white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, and loons as you hike through the forests and across wetlands. Utilizing several other trails to connect to the Eagle Loop Trail, there are several spectacular vistas of the lake. Eagle Loop circles a peninsula on the northeast side of Lake Metigoshe.

8

North Dakota, Golden Valley County

03 :40 hrs
7.4 mi
67.12988 ft
Hard

The Buffalo Gap Trail is a section of the Maah Daah Hey Trail just outside of the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The landscape consists of mostly prairie with some buttes and rugged features of the Badlands. There is amazing scenery and spectacular views. There are some creek bed crossings that are usually dry, you will ride through two prairie dog “towns”, and there are great opportunities to view other wildlife such as elk, deer, bison, and coyotes. Some short and quick ups and downs provide some technical challenges but are typically very easy.

9

North Dakota, McHenry County

01 :29 hrs
2.2 mi
7.516754 ft
Moderate

The J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge is located along the Souris River in Bottineau and McHenry counties and comprises almost 60,000 acres of lake. The area is old lake bottom and has extremely flat topography and a high density of temporary wetlands. The Sandhills Walk is an unmarked trail where you can explore trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and wildlife. The blue three-petaled spiderwort and prairie wild rose, state flower of North Dakota, are common. Birding opportunities are phenomenal and the views are gorgeous.

10

North Dakota, Billings County

01 :58 hrs
5.3 mi
97.02472 ft
Hard

The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a 96-mile trail that connects the northern and southern portions of Theodore Roosevelt National Park as well as winding through the Little Missouri National Grasslands. Maah Daah Hey is a phrase from the Mandan Indians meaning “an area that has been or will be around for a long time.” This segment of the trail is relatively short and offers a great sample and feel for the trail. The landscape consists of steep buttes, ravines, and numerous draw and creek beds. Depending on the time of year, these creek beds can be dry, torrential, or somewhere in between. You will be required to cross the Little Missouri River to reach Sully Creek State Park.

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