Content updated on August 10th, 2008

About the Maah Daah Hey

The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a 96 mile hiking, horseback and mountain bicycle trail that traverses through the scenic and rugged North Dakota badlands. The trail passes through the Little Missouri National Grasslands, as well as State and private land, as it connects the North and South Units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It has been listed by the IMBA as an Epic Ride.

The trail begins at Sully Creek State Park Recreation Area, located south of Medora (Interstate 94, exit 24) in Billings County. The trail winds its way to its northern terminus at the U.S. Forest Service CCC Campground in McKenzie County, located 20 miles south of Watford City off Highway 85.

Trail history

The trail name, "Maah Daah Hey", comes from the Mandan Indians and means "an area that has been or will be around for a long time."

The turtle is used as the trail marker. The turtle was chosen because of its firm determination, steadfastness, patience, long life and fortitude.

The Maah Daah Hey trail traverses an area of highly dissected badlands surrounded by large expanses of gently rolling prairie. This area of North Dakota provides prime habitat for a variety of mammals and birds. Mule deer and coyotes are often sighted, while an occasional golden eagle or prairie falcon may be spotted soaring above. Bighorn sheep and elk have been reintroduced into the area and can be spotted by keen observers. In addition, bison and feral horses roam the range in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

The trail is open for use all year, but at various times of the year, the trail may be impassable due to mud, snow, ice, and high water.

Users of the Maah Daah Hey Trail will share the same space with horseback riders, hikers and bicyclists. Users will be expected to respect the rights of others. Shared-use trails are successful when users cooperate and abide by the rules.

Regulations

• The trail is closed to all motorized vehicles.
• Bicycles are NOT allowed on the trail as it passes through Theodore Roosevelt National Park. They may not be ridden or carried. Riders need to contact the U.S. Forest Service for alternative routes around the park boundary.
• Users must stay on the trail when crossing private and state land.
• Close any gates that you open.
• Camping is prohibited on private and state land.
• Stock users must use weed seed free hay or feed in order to reduce the risk of exotic/noxious plant introduction.
• Artifacts and other cultural features are protected by Federal Law. Do not collect or disturb.
• Pack out all trash and other materials. Burying trash is prohibited.
• Do not wash dishes or use detergents in water sources.
• For proper sanitation make toilets in a shallow hole 200 feet or more from camp, water sources, and trail.
• For your safety, do NOT approach oil and gas facilities; poison gases may be present.

Trail Information

The Maah Daah Hey Trail is 96 miles of some of the best single track in the country. It has been noted by the IMBA as one of the best rides. Where the trail actually begins is up to debate. The mile markers run from south to north but most people will start up north and ride south so this is the way we will talk about. The starts/ends at U.S. Forest service CCC campground. From here it winds its way south through the National Grasslands. The Buffalo Gap Trail is the trail around the southern section of the park. In the northern section, we are still shit out of luck. It is only about a mile through the north section which is in a very, very remote area (that is all we can say hint, hint!!!!!). There is fine if caught with a bike in the park.

The trail varies from technical climbs and descents to gently rolling grassy sections. The soil out there is mainly a bentonite soil (a type of clay) with some areas of very fine gravel. The park service has been so kind to use it in maintaining and rebuilding the trail in some areas. Now, I say very fine gravel because if it rains, and it can in North Dakota it seems with little or no warning, those areas of bentonite will turn into a substance equal to superglue with cement. It will stick to everything. You and your bike, which you will be carrying shortly, will gain 50 pounds in no time. It seems no one heeds the warning about the rain. Hell we didn’t! It only took us one time,and an enjoyable hike to make us watch the clouds and fear an approaching rain storm, but enough about that.

The Maah Daah Hey is a multiuse trail which means it is shared among mountain bikers, horseback riders and hikers. Remember to respect the horses and hikers. We have not seen many hikers, but we have normally been outnumbered by the horses and cows. Please respect the horseback riders since our wild colors and shiny bikes can scare them. I mention the cows because between them and the horses there is another fine soil you will get more than your share of. It's, shit smelly, wet, and oh so fun to run into on a fast downhill, (you should instantly get a fine mental picture here). If you come to a herd of cattle, you will almost not be able to avoid the stuff since the cows have taken a likening to the trail. This sucks, but hey you are in North Dakota. The Trail starts/ends south of Medora and goes north through the Badlands of North Dakota. It ends/starts in CCC campground by the North section of Theodora Roosevelt National park. This is one of the best kept secrets out there when it comes to mountain biking. The people you meet are friendly. The motels in the area are cheap and the beer is cold.

How to get there

There are a lot of different ways to intersect with the trail but if you are passing through and you want a quick ride the best thing you can do is intersect with the trail just south of Medora. Medora is located just off of I-94. Once in Medora, you can park just about anywhere. From here, head west on the paved bike path for about two miles Once you cross a bridge, take the single track heading south. This will intersect with the Maah Daah Hey within a few hundred feet. Follow the Maah Daah Hey south under a railroad bridge and through your first swinging gate. If you feel the need to ride a different section of the trail, check out our day rides section for directions. Actually if Dakota Cyclery is open in Medora stop in and talk to them they have maps and and can tell you places to ride.

Medora, ND

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MDH southern trail head

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Day Rides

Rides that range from 16 to 30 miles total (out and back). We will provide driving directions from I-94, and a quick rundown of the ride, along with what we think of it. We will go into detail on the ones we have ridden and give our ideas on the ones we have not. Check back often because we will have ridden them all by years end.

• Ice Caves on the Maah Daah Hey Trail
  Updated on September 18th, 2007
  

  The Ice Caves are actually about 1/2 miles east of the Maah Daah Hey, but they are well worth the detour. This is the second time I have been there and the first time for Jodi. This year we found and even bigger cave that we were able to stand upright in and actually walk [...]

• Buffalo Gap Campground
  Updated on August 10th, 2008
  

  Located 7 miles west of Medora via I94 and 1/4 mile north at exit 18; the campground features two comfort stations with sinks and flush toilets, one vault toilet, 75 person picnic shelter, 11 water hydrants, 37 camping units with picnic tables and fire rings, 5 units are handicap accessible, and 3 coin operated showers. [...]

• Wannagan Campground
  Updated on September 14th, 2007
  

  From the Sentinel Butte exit on I-94 go east 3 miles and then 14 miles northeast, on road #726 to the camp.
  The camp has 6 single unit camp spurs and 4 pull-through camp spurs. This fenced campground has a handicap accessible vault toilet and a potable water well available during the summer months. A day [...]

• Elkhorn Campground
  Updated on September 14th, 2007
  

  From the Camel Hump (Sentinel Butte) exit 10, on I-94, go west and northeasterly 15.5 miles on County Road #11 to Road # 708. Then travel 11.5 miles north and east on road #708 to road FH2; then travel east for 1 mile to the camp entrance.
  This fenced campground has a handicap vault toilet, 8 [...]

• CCC Campground
  Updated on September 14th, 2007
  

  Located 15 miles south of Watford City, off Highway 85, south of the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Turn west on road # 842 just south of the Long X bridge over the Little Missouri River, travel 1 mile west to the entrance.
  This newly remodeled and expanded campground remains a favorite for those [...]

• Magpie Campground
  Updated on August 10th, 2008
  

  Turn west on Road #712 at the Magpie Camp sign, located 1.5 miles north of Fairfield on Highway 85; travel 15.5 miles on gravel road #712. The campground is located 1/4 mile northeast off road # 712. A day use parking lot right adjacent to the MDH trail is located 1/2 mile south of the [...]

• Bennett Campground
  Updated on September 14th, 2007
  

  Located 7.5 miles north of Grassy Butte on Highway 85, then west 4 miles. Turn south on road #824 across the green cattle guard, and approximately 1 mile south and west to the camp.
  This fenced camp has 9 camp spurs and 4 pull through camp spurs. A handicap accessible vault toilet and potable water well [...]