Maah Daah Hey Trail

The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a 232-km point-to-point trail in North Dakota, United States, gaining approximately 5,500 m of elevation over 8–12 hiking days. Rated moderate to strenuous, it traverses the sculpted badlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park — majestic plateaus, canyon rims, river crossings, and sweeping prairie — and holds the distinction of being the longest continuous non-motorized singletrack trail in the country.

About the Maah Daah Hey Trail

“Maah Daah Hey” means “grandfather” or “been here a long time” in the Mandan language — a fitting name for a trail that winds through one of North America’s most ancient and otherworldly landscapes. Running 144 miles (232 km) south to north through the Little Missouri National Grassland and all three units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the route connects the town of Medora in the south to Watford City in the north across western North Dakota’s badlands.

First opened in 1999 by the U.S. Forest Service, the trail is maintained by the Maah Daah Hey Trail Association (MDHTA) and draws thru-hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers from across the country. It holds IMBA “Epic” trail status and is regarded as the premier badlands long-distance route in the United States.

The terrain is unlike anything else on the American trail network. Hikers navigate bentonite clay slopes that become dangerously slick when wet, exposed sandstone ridges, seasonal Little Missouri River crossings, and expansive rolling prairie. The route climbs and descends constantly — gaining over 5,500 m across the full length — despite never reaching a single dramatic summit. That cumulative elevation makes daily planning critical, especially when carrying water for 18–25 mile dry stretches between reliable sources.

Building a solid pack list before heading out is essential. A well-fitted 40–55 L backpack suits most thru-hikers on this trail. See our Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2026 roundup for tested picks, and plan your calorie strategy with our guide on How Many Calories Do You Need Hiking a Full Day?

Route Overview & Stages

The standard direction is south to north, starting at the Buffalo Gap Trailhead near Medora and finishing at the CCC Campground Trailhead near Watford City. This is the direction described in the MDHTA’s official trail guide and the direction most thru-hikers prefer. The route splits naturally into five sections divided by the trail’s major campground clusters and water sources.

Total: 232 km / ~5,500 m elevation gain. Experienced hikers complete the trail in 8–10 days; those new to long-distance backpacking should allow 10–14 days to account for weather delays, rest days, and the demanding sections through the national park.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Theodore Roosevelt National Park — South Unit: The trail’s southern gateway covers 46,000 acres of classic badlands, home to free-roaming bison herds, feral horses, and pronghorn antelope. The park boundary miles are some of the most visually dramatic on the entire route.
• Burning Coal Vein Campground: Named for an underground lignite seam that burned for decades, this campground sits amid vivid red and orange clinker rock — iron-rich soil baked hard by subterranean fire, creating geology found almost nowhere else on earth.
• Devil’s Pass: A narrow ridge crossing with steep drops on both sides, delivering 360-degree views across the Little Missouri badlands. One of the most photographed and most memorable miles on the entire trail.
• Little Missouri River Crossings: The trail fords the river multiple times along its length. Crossings are typically knee-deep in late summer but can swell to waist-height during spring snowmelt. Trekking poles are essential for stability on the uneven river bottom.
• China Wall: A striking natural ridge of eroded sandstone in the northern section, resembling a fortress wall rising from the surrounding grassland. The approach and traverse along the ridge offer wide views across an almost completely roadless landscape.
• Ice Caves: A short spur trail leads to shaded rock cavities where ice persists well into summer — a surreal contrast to the surrounding sun-baked terrain that regularly tops 35°C in July and August.
• Hanson Overlook: Near the trail’s northern conclusion inside the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, this viewpoint delivers sweeping panoramic views of the Little Missouri canyon system and the rugged terrain you’ve just crossed.
• Long X Country: The northernmost stretch passes through the historic Long X cattle range, where 19th-century drovers pushed massive herds across open prairie. The landscape is little changed since — a final stretch of big-sky solitude before the trail’s end at Watford City.

Best Time to Hike the Maah Daah Hey Trail

The trail is open year-round but is practically hikeable from late April through October. Each season brings distinct conditions hikers should plan around:

• Late April – May: Spring wildflowers and green prairie grasses offer beautiful scenery, but expect unpredictable weather, potential late snowfall, and the highest river levels of the year. Little Missouri crossings can reach waist-depth during high snowmelt years.
• June – early July: Longer daylight hours and warm temperatures, but summer heat in the badlands regularly climbs to 38°C (100°F). Rattlesnakes are active. Mosquitoes and ticks peak in June near the river sections — carry DEET and check daily.
• Late July – August: Heat persists and afternoon thunderstorm activity increases. Bentonite clay sections become treacherous when wet; plan to shelter and wait out storms rather than continuing on slick slopes.
• September – October: As of 2026, this is the optimal hiking window. Temperatures drop to a comfortable 15–24°C during the day, insects largely disappear, and the autumn light turns the badlands formations copper and gold. River levels are at seasonal lows, making crossings safer and easier.
• November – March: Not recommended for thru-hiking. Snow, ice on bentonite slopes, and closed water pumps at campgrounds create serious hazards for all but the most experienced winter travelers.

Best single month: September. Reliable cool daytime temperatures, minimal insects, low river crossings, and spectacular late-season light make September the clear choice for starting a thru-hike of the Maah Daah Hey Trail.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The trail has nine developed campgrounds spaced along the route, each with vault toilets, a campfire ring, and hitching posts for stock users. Four campgrounds — Wannagan, Magpie, Elkhorn, and Bennett — have hand-pumped potable water available during hiking season (approximately May through October). Between these water-source campgrounds, eight water-cache box sites are maintained by MDHTA volunteers and stocked periodically throughout the season. Always verify cache status before relying on them and carry capacity for 30 km or more between reliable water points.

Dispersed camping is permitted across the Little Missouri National Grassland sections outside national park boundaries. Inside Theodore Roosevelt National Park, overnight camping is restricted to designated backcountry sites only. There is no hut or shelter infrastructure anywhere on the trail — this is a fully self-supported, tent-camping route.

The nearest towns for pre- and post-hike accommodation are Medora at the southern end, with motels from approximately €80–100 per night, and Watford City at the northern end, with motels from approximately €75–90 per night. Dickinson, ND — 55 km east of Medora — offers a broader range of options including budget chain hotels.

Getting There & Back

The southern trailhead at Buffalo Gap sits just outside Medora, North Dakota, directly off Interstate 94 at Exit 24. Medora is approximately a 4-hour drive west of Bismarck and 6 hours west of Fargo. The nearest commercial airport is Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (DIK), about 55 km east of Medora, with connecting flights through Denver International Airport (DEN). Car rental is available at Dickinson airport and is the most practical transport option.

The northern terminus near Watford City is reached via US Highway 85, approximately 110 km north of Medora by road — roughly a 1.5-hour drive. Several outfitters in Medora offer vehicle shuttles between the two trailheads; the MDHTA maintains an up-to-date shuttle provider list on their website. There is no public transit service to either trailhead.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to hike or camp on the Little Missouri National Grassland sections that make up the majority of the trail. However, overnight camping inside Theodore Roosevelt National Park — which the trail passes through in two sections near Medora and Watford City — requires a backcountry permit. As of 2026, the backcountry permit is included with park entry: $30 per vehicle or $15 per person entering on foot. Permits are issued in person at the South Unit Visitor Center in Medora or the North Unit Visitor Center near Watford City, on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance online reservation available for these sites.

Gear & Packing List

The Maah Daah Hey Trail demands gear optimized for heat, sustained sun exposure, long water carries, and multiple river crossings. Key items to prioritize:

• Backpack (45–60 L): You need capacity for 3–4 days of food and at least 4 liters of water between some cache points. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider suits ultralight minimalists, while the Osprey Aether 65 works well for hikers who prefer more capacity and comfort over distance. For a strong middle-ground option, consider the HMG 3400 Windrider — lighter than the Aether with enough volume for multi-day carries.
• Water system: A filter (Sawyer Squeeze or BeFree) plus 4+ liter capacity. Dry stretches between reliable water regularly exceed 30 km in late summer conditions.
• Sun protection: Wide-brimmed hat, UPF 50+ shirt, SPF 50 sunscreen applied frequently. The badlands offer almost no tree cover across long stretches.
• Trekking poles: Non-negotiable for river crossings on the uneven Little Missouri riverbed and for managing steep bentonite clay descents after rain.
• Footwear: Many experienced MDH thru-hikers prefer trail runners over waterproof hiking boots. Multiple river crossings guarantee wet feet regardless — quick-drying footwear recovers faster and reduces blister risk.
• Insect protection: DEET-based repellent or permethrin-treated clothing for June and July. Mosquitoes, ticks, and horseflies can be relentless near river sections.
• Lightweight insulation: Temperature swings of 20–25°C between day and night are common. A compressible insulated jacket earns its weight every evening.
• Offline navigation: Download maps before leaving — cell service is sparse across most of the route. The MDHTA sells printed waterproof trail maps; carry one as backup.

For full pack comparisons and weight breakdowns, see our Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2026 guide. And before loading your food bag, plan your daily calorie needs with our hiking calorie guide — the long water carries and dry camp cooking on this trail make getting calories right more important than on a typical trail with frequent resupply.

Similar Trails You Might Like

The Maah Daah Hey Trail’s combination of remote prairie, rugged badlands, and long-distance solitude is rare — but if it matches your style, these U.S. routes offer comparable experiences at different scales. The Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (4,988 km) are the natural next step for hikers ready to commit a full season to a thru-hike. For concentrated high-drama in a shorter timeframe, the Mount Whitney Trail, Half Dome Trail, and Angels Landing–West Rim Trail each deliver unforgettable alpine terrain in a single day or weekend. For an international contrast with similar rugged remoteness, the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania offers wild mountain scenery in the Albanian Alps for a fraction of the logistics effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Maah Daah Hey Trail?

September is the single best month for a thru-hike. Daytime temperatures settle into a comfortable 15–24°C range, insects largely disappear, and the Little Missouri River runs at its seasonal low, making crossings safer. Late May and early June are the second-best window, offering green prairie and wildflowers before summer heat arrives. Avoid mid-July through August unless you are fully prepared for temperatures above 38°C and afternoon thunderstorms.

How difficult is the Maah Daah Hey Trail?

The trail is rated moderate to strenuous. Loose bentonite clay, exposed ridgelines with no shade, multiple river crossings, and total elevation gain exceeding 5,500 m across 232 km demand more effort than the mileage numbers alone suggest. The remoteness adds logistical difficulty — water carries of 20–30 km between sources are common. Fit hikers with previous multi-day backpacking experience will find it challenging but well within reach with good preparation.

How many kilometres can you hike per day on the Maah Daah Hey Trail?

Most thru-hikers cover 24–32 km (15–20 miles) per day, completing the 232 km route in 8–10 days. Daily distance is often dictated by water source locations rather than pure mileage targets — you plan camp around water availability. In summer heat, many hikers move before 10am and after 4pm, resting during peak heat hours. First-time long-distance hikers should budget 10–14 days for a comfortable and enjoyable pace.

What accommodation is available along the Maah Daah Hey Trail?

All accommodation on-trail is tent camping — there are no huts, shelters, or lodges. Nine developed campgrounds with vault toilets are spaced along the route; four of them (Wannagan, Magpie, Elkhorn, and Bennett) have seasonal hand-pumped potable water. Dispersed camping is permitted on National Grassland sections outside the park. The towns of Medora and Watford City each offer motels at either end of the trail for pre- and post-hike nights, with rooms from around €80 per night.

Do you need a permit to hike the Maah Daah Hey Trail?

No permit is needed for the extensive grassland sections that form most of the trail. However, overnight camping inside Theodore Roosevelt National Park — which the route crosses near Medora (South Unit) and Watford City (North Unit) — requires a backcountry permit. As of 2026, the permit is covered by the park entrance fee: $30 per vehicle or $15 per person on foot. Permits are issued in person at the park visitor centers on a first-come, first-served basis, with no advance online booking available.