Maah Daah Hey Trail in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Maah Daah Hey Trail

A 96-mile trail connecting all three units of the park.

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Maah Daah Hey Trail Details

The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a 96-mile trail that passes through all three units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park but is most commonly accessed in the South Unit. The trail begins south of Medora at Sully Creek Sate Park and runs north along the Little Missouri River and through the western side of the South Unit wilderness area. In the wilderness region the trail intersects other South Unit trails, making this section the most accessible if you want to check it out. Heading north, the Maah Daah Hey Trail crosses Elkblrom Trail, Lone Tree Loop Trail, Big Plateau Trail, South Petrified Forest Trail, Mike Auney Trail, and finally the North Petrified Forest Trail before exiting the South Unit. The Maah Daah Hey Trail briefly enters the Elkhorn Ranch Unit of the park and crosses through the southeastern corner of the North Unit before ending at the Civilian Conservation Corps Campground outside of the park. This trail is very popular with bicyclists; however, bicycles are not allowed on the trail in the South Unit and North Unit. (Carrying bicycles through these sections is not permitted, either.) Alternate routes travel have been mapped for bicyclists to use, however. Hikers and horseback riders are allowed on all parts of the Maah Daah Hey Trail. Maah Daah Hey comes from the Native American Mandan language and loosely translated means "an area that will be around for a long time."

Difficulty

High

Distance

96 miles

Estimated time

Region

N/A

Nearby Parks Around Maah Daah Hey Trail

Compare nearby parks around Maah Daah Hey Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

1.7 mi away

Theodore Roosevelt

National Park · ND

233.5 mi away

Badlands

National Park · SD

380.8 mi away

Yellowstone

National Park · WY

415.3 mi away

Grand Teton

National Park · WY

464.7 mi away

Rocky Mountain

National Park · CO

495.5 mi away

Voyageurs

National Park · MN

Nearby Points of Interest Around Maah Daah Hey Trail

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Maah Daah Hey Trail while the map context is still fresh.

1.0 mi away

Skyline Vista

A scenic viewpoint in the southwest corner of the park.

1.5 mi away

Medora Overlook

A panoramic view of the town of Medora, with a glimpse of the Little Missouri River.

1.5 mi away

Cottonwood Campground

A Wheelchair-accessible campground on the west side of the park along the Little Missouri River.

1.7 mi away

Maltese Cross Cabin

Theodore Roosevelt's first home in the Dakotas.

1.7 mi away

Overview

The 26th president of the United States came to North Dakota as a wealthy young man intent on hunting bison, he left with an appreciation of the hardships of life in the Badlands and a passion for conservation.