Trail Description
This section has a number of short to medium length certified segments connected by roadwalks.
Sheyenne State Forest segment
Hikers may access the North Country Trail within the Sheyenne State Forest at the new Martinson Bridge trailhead off the 63-mile long Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway. GPS Coordinates: N 46.514° & W 97.868.° From there, hikers can go 0.5 miles east on a connector trail (gravel road) for the 1.5-mile Oak Ridge Hiking trail loop, which was the first NCT segment certified in North Dakota. This hike includes the infamous Stairway to Heaven with great views found atop the hill after the steep climb.
Hikers can also go west towards the State’s only registered waterfall. The trip out to the waterfall is a very scenic 4.4 mile round-trip hike and there are two backcountry campsites found along the trail. From the trailhead, head southwest on the gravel road before turning off through the fenced gate. The trail climbs up through thick woods before cresting the partially open ridge, where great views up and down the valley are found. The trail winds in and out of the woods before dropping down to a stream valley, crossing two footbridges, and coming out to the Mineral Springs (1.6 miles from the Trailhead). Here, hikers will find the first campsite, which features a picnic table and firering but has no toilet. GPS Coordinates: Leaving the campsite the NCT eventually follows an old woods road along the edge of a pasture, through thick woods, and descends to another stream valley. After crossing two more footbridges, hikers will come out to the second backcountry campsite (again, with picnic table & firering but no toilet) which is located adjacent to the waterfall. The campsite and waterfall are located 0.6-miles from the first site and 2.2-miles from the trailhead. GPS Coordinates:
This section of the NCT is open to horse use and it receives heavy horse traffic. Fall colors are fantastic in the State Forest but beautiful views can be found year-round. The SRV chapter is currently working on obtaining easements from private landowners between Fort Ransom and the Sheyenne State Forest.
Fort Ransom State Park
The North Country Trail enters Fort Ransom State Park from the south along the old township road (Mill Rd.) following the NCT signs and blue blazes. Upon reaching the park boundary, the 2.5 mile NCT segment goes through the West Side Campground, past the Elm Tree Amphitheater and to the Bjone House Visitor Center and Park Office. Water and restrooms are available at the visitor center. The NCT then follows the west bank of the Sheyenne River northward past the Riverside Horse Corral and Camp Area. Now the trail opens to hay fields and restored native prairie. Views of the park’s Sunne Farm (site of Sodbuster Days events) can be seen. Soon the trail will drop into a wooded section of trail right on the riverbank. You may notice tree damage from a 1999 tornado. After a short rise you will come to a park boundary fence, the current end of this segment of the North Country Trail.
The community of Fort Ransom offers a variety of services, including restaurants, lodging, Post Office, downhill skiing, and more. More information may be found online. More info on Fort Ransom State Park may be found online, by calling (701) 973-4331, or emailing frsp@nd.gov.
Clausen Springs Recreation Area loop trail the “Ladies Line” rail trail segment to Kathryn
From the NCT trailhead in “downtown” Kathryn, the Trail follows the historic “Ladies Line” railroad grade for 4.5 miles west to the Clausen Springs State Recreation Area. Note: The trail surface is uneven ballast rock…sturdy footwear is required. Eventually, the ballast rock will be removed and the trail tread will be mowed grass. At the end of the rail trail, hikers will find a 2.5 mile loop trail around Clausen Springs Lake that passes over the dam, through some planted ponderosa pines, through a picnic area, and through prairie fields. There is a trailhead parking area by the Lake and swimming beach. The NCT is well marked with blue blazes and Carsonite posts.
Clausen Springs is a very historic area. The area near the springs has long been a campsite for Native Americans, early Plains explorers, and a stopover for military expeditions passing between Fort Ransom to Fort Totten near Devil’s Lake. Clausen Springs was also the first park project in the nation funded by the federal Bureau of Outdoor Recreation (now part of the National Park Service) when Barnes County purchased it in 1967. Note: this section of trail and the dam creating the lake were heavily damaged in the spring 2009 flooding. Contact the Sheyenne River Valley Chapter (srv@northcountrytrail.org) for updates on trail conditions.
Valley City segment
There is currently a 4.5 mile segment of certified trail through the community of Valley City. The route starts off on a paved bike trail off Kathryn Rd. S. south of town, passes under I-94 at the Exit #292 interchange, and then heads north through the woods coming out on Riverview Dr., which it follows east to 4th Ave. SW on the corner of the Valley City State University Campus. From there, the trail heads uphill into the woods towards the Medicine Wheel Park and then east on a paved trail past the Regional Tech Center. From there, the trail descends through the woods down to College Street, which it follows west through neighborhoods. The trail passes by a dam across the river from a historic flour mill and follows city sidewalks through town passing by the VCSU Campus, through City Park, and over the Sheyenne River on some historic bridges. The trail also passes by the Rosebud Visitors Center, down Main Street and Central Ave. to 12th Street on the north side of town below the famous Hi-Line railroad bridge.
More information on the full range of services available to hikers in Valley City may be found online.