Lonetree WMA lakeshore day hike
Why go there? Lonetree Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is North Dakota’s largest WMA and has an interesting history. Originally, the lands that make it up were acquired for a storage reservoir as part of the Garrison Diversion Project. Instead, it is one of the state’s most scenic natural areas and hosts a 32 mile segment of the North Country Trail.
Hike highlights:
* Hike through a diversity of habitats, including native prairie, planted grasses, food plots, and shelterbelts
* Abundant wildlife and great birding, including the opportunity to see both western and eastern bird species
* Panoramic landscape views
Flora / fauna of the area: Lonetree contains a variety of habitats including prairie wetlands, native prairie, planted native grasses, and a whole host of trees and shrubs. A wide diversity of wildlife is also present in the area, including sharp-tailed grouse, pheasant, gray partridge, white tailed deer, coyotes, and moose. Migratory species include a wide variety of waterfowl and other wetland wildlife.
Land ownership: owned by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and managed by North Dakota Game & Fish Department
Directions to and GPS Coordinates for trailheads:
- Jensen campground trailhead: Using paved roads – from Harvey head west U.S. Highway 52 to Anamoose and then south on State Hwy 14 to 16th Ave (look for the turn just before the road curves to the east and crosses the Sheyenne River). Follow 16th Ave for about a mile and look for signs for the campground on the east side of the road. Using gravel roads – from Harvey head south on State Hwy 3 to 18th St., north on 18th Ave, west on 19th Street. Cross State Hwy 14 and continue on 19th Street and then take a right onto 16th Ave NE. The campground trailhead is located about a half mile on your right. GPS Coordinates: N 47°41’44.26″ & W 100°14’21.77″
- Coal Mine Lake campground trailhead: Using gravel roads – from Harvey head south on State Hwy 3 to west on 18th St. After about 10 miles you’ll see a sign for Coal Mine Lake boat landing on the right on 21st Ave. Turn right onto 21st Ave and within a 1/4 mile you’ll see the entrance for the Campground. GPS Coordinates: N 47° 41’ 45.33” & W 100° 14’ 21.14”
General route description: From the Jensen campground and parking area west of State Highway 14, head east towards Highway 14 and cross through a fence on either side of the highway. After crossing the highway, the trail climbs up a hill that affords good views of the lakes and used to be a Native American summer campsite. After descending from the hill, the trail follows on the bluff above Sheyenne and Coal Mine Lakes for about the next 4 miles and passes through the narrows between them on 19th Street. The trail passes along the edge of hay fields and some crop fields before coming out ang going through the Coal Mine Lake campground. Leaving from the campground’s southeastern corner, the NCT goes over the dam (if there’s high water – walk around via the campground entrance road to 21st Ave. and west to 19th Ave.) and along the lakeshore out to 18th Street. Note: Coal Mine Lake is named because settlers stopped to dig up chunks of coal from a seam on the southeast corner of the lake while passing through the area. Today, a narrow depression remains visible from just off the NCT to the west where the trail comes out to 18th Street.
Trail map: Map: ND-109
Camping information: Free camping is available at the Jensen and Coal Mine Lake campgrounds, which offer tent sites, vault toilets, and water pumps. Camping and lodging is also available in the nearby community of Harvey.
For more info:
* Chapter / affiliate contacts: Lonetree Chapter
* Agency partner contacts: North Dakota Game & Fish Department
* Web links: City of Harvey, NCTA’s Wiki Guide page for Lonetree WMA