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North Dakota Bike Trails

Want to see North Dakota's varied scenery up close?

Then bicycling, ranked as the number one participation sport in North Dakota, is the perfect sport for you. Whether you're looking for a short trek on a paved bike trail, a long-distance ride out on North Dakota's scenic highways, or an exciting off-road mountain bike ride, North Dakota has a route to meet your quest.

Paved Trails

All of the state's major cities have developed systems of paved bike trails - including Bismarck/Mandan's 30-plus miles of bike paths and Fargo's 25 miles. One recommended route in Bismarck/Mandan allows riders to get on the trail in northwest Bismarck's Pioneer Park, travel south along the Missouri River past the Grant Marsh Bridge and through Sertoma Park, over the Expressway Bridge and into Mandan, across the Heart River and south to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park (12 miles each way). Or, stay on the trail system in Sertoma Park and complete the 3.1 mile loop which parallels the Missouri River and passes by the Dakota Zoo. Trail maps are available at local park and recreation department offices.

Long Distance Routes

With its low traffic and excellent country roads, North Dakota is great for cross-country bike trips. For particularly scenic treks, check out North Dakota's designated scenic byways and backways on the N.D. State Highway Map (backways are non-paved surface and more suitable to off-road bicycles). Before riding, check at area Chamber of Commerce offices, state and federal parks, state and federal Forest Service offices and local bike shops for their recommendations on the best routes.

Some scenic areas to ride in North Dakota include:

  • Little Missouri National Grassland *
  • Theodore Roosevelt National Park**
  • Lewis and Clark Trail* (state highways 1804 and 1806)
  • Pembina Gorge/Walhalla Area*
  • Turtle Mountains/Lake Metigoshe*
    Sheyenne National Grassland*

* includes a state designated scenic byway

** the park's 36-mile scenic loop includes several turnouts with interpretive signing and offers spectacular views of North Dakota's Badlands. The loop starts at the Medora Visitor Center and follows the Little Missouri River for the first six miles, then turns east. Maps are available at the visitor center.

Mountain Biking

North Dakota's varied topography offers mountain bikers many choices for riding. From the one million acres of rugged buttes in the Little Missouri National Grassland to the rolling hills of the Turtle Mountains, North Dakota has many areas for mountain biking waiting to be discovered. Contact your city or county parks department for information on mountain biking opportunities in your area.

Some recommended riding areas and trails on federal and state-managed land include:

  • Maah Daah Hey Trail. 161 21st St. W., Dickinson, N.D. 58601; 701/225-5151 The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a 120-mile non-motorized trail open for biking, hiking and horseback riding. The trail begins at Sully Creek State Park approximately five miles south of historic Medora and meanders north through the south and north units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Biking within TRNP is not allowed; bikers must use alternate routes around park boundaries. The trail is jointly managed by the U.S. Forest Service (701/225-5151), the National Park Service (701/623-4466), and the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department (701/328-5357).
  • North Star Trail (Turtle River State Park). 3084 Park Ave.; Arvilla, N.D. 58214; 701/594-4445. Planted in the thick woods of Turtle River State Park, the North Star Trail is a 10-mile scenic loop which combines rolling hills, flatlands and stream crossings.
  • Lake Metigoshe State Park. #2 Lake Metigoshe State Park, Bottineau, ND 58318; 701/263-4651. Nestled in the scenic Turtle Mountains on the shores of Lake Metigoshe, this state park includes several miles of non-motorized, multiuse trails on rolling hills. The acquisition of an adjacent camp area significantly adds to the existing trail opportunities and also provides cabin rentals for park users in the summer and winter months.
  • Sully Creek State Park, 2.5 miles south of Medora; 701/667-6340; Located in the heart of the North Dakota Badlands, Sully Creek State Park provides a launching pad for a myriad of trails, including the Maah Daah Hey Trail, a 120-mile non-motorized, multiuse trail. SCSP is a primitive campground and is just minutes from historic Medora and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit.
  • U.S. Forest Service - Mckenzie Ranger District. HCO 2, Box 8; Watford City, ND 58854; 701/842-2393 In addition to hundreds of miles of two track trails and gravel and scoria roads, this Ranger District includes 14 miles of marked multiuse trails on primitive roads over rolling plains and steep badlands. Designated trails include the Long X Loop Trail, an 8.5-mile doubletrack trail, and Summit Trail, a 4.5-mile singletrack trail leading to a campground. Check with the ranger office for directions and trail maps.
  • U.S. Forest Service - Medora Ranger District. 99-23rd Ave W. Unit B,Dickinson, ND 58601-2202 ; 701/225-5151 This Ranger District in southwestern North Dakota includes hundreds of miles of roads and trails open for multiple use. Check with the ranger office for directions and topography maps.
  • U.S. Forest Service - Sheyenne National Grassland. Located in southeastern North Dakota, the Sheyenne National Grassland includes a 25-mile segment of the North Country Trail. The trail covers flat, open prairie and is open to all non-motorized traffic.