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Thanks for visiting the NCTA at the Expo!

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Andrea Ketchmark

Thanks for your interest in the North Country National Scenic Trail (the NCT for short) in the Upper Midwest. We were excited to host a booth at the Outdoor Adventure Expo April 22-24 in Minnesota.

We hope you’ll find this information useful and that it will help you become engaged with the Trail in 2016 and beyond.

Are you up to the Hike 100 Challenge?

This year is the National Park Service’s Centennial and we are celebrating by encouraging more people to get out onto the NCT via our Hike 100 Challenge.

Register to receive your mileage log form be entered to win free prizes. Take it on and share with your friends using #Hike100NCT.

Check out what’s happening with our “local” (e.g. within a half day’s drive from the Twin Cities) Chapters and Affiliate partners. Use the key below the image to find out more about the Chapter near you.

Key to Chapter / Affiliate partners within 7 hours from the Twin Cities metro area:

See the NCTA’s activity calendar here where you can sort by State to view events happening near you.

North Country Trail in North Dakota

You’re invited to attend the North Country Trail Association’s Annual Celebration this September 15-17 in Fargo. This exciting event will feature evening speakers and programs, guided hikes along the Red River in Fargo-Moorhead, and NCT hikes at Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, Sheyenne National Grassland, and other fun places. Learn more here and be sure to share with your friends & family using #HikeFargo.

Both the Sheyenne River Valley Chapter and Dakota Prairie Chapter have hikes scheduled year round on the NCT in eastern North Dakota. Hiking in North Dakota is different because the prairie landscape affords near constant views and a breeze which keeps the skeeters at bay during the summer. Learn more at the Meetup group here.

Like our North Dakota Facebook page here.

North Country Trail in Minnesota

The NCTA is still trying to get the “Arrowhead Re-route” legislation passed in Congress that would make the Superior Hiking Trail, Border Route Trail, and Kekekabic Trail the official route of the NCT. Follow the issue and learn how you can help us out here.

The newly formed Glacial Edge Chapter is developing a 9-mile North Country Trail loop within the City of Fergus Falls. Half of the loop will be off-road trail in scenic locations and the other half will follow a more urban route through downtown Fergus Falls (including along the scenic Riverwalk). Learn more here.

The Itasca Moraine and Laurentian Lakes Chapters are hosting a monthly hike (and one paddle) at Itasca State Park to celebrate the Park’s 125^th Anniversary and the National Park Service Centennial. Learn more here .

The Border Route Trail Association has trail clearing trips scheduled on the BRT and also some guided hikes. Learn more here.

The Superior Hiking Trail Association will be completing their trail this year by building the last segment between Jay Cooke State Park and the WI border. They’ll also be completing a relocation north of Gooseberry Falls State Park and holding a series of guided hikes. Learn more here.

Like our Minnesota Facebook page.

North Country Trail in Wisconsin

Bad River Vista Wisconsin — Bad River Vista

The Brule-St. Croix Chapter is continuing to build new miles of the NCT in northwestern Wisconsin and hosts regular workdays and monthly weeklong events. They are also hosting regularly scheduled hikes. Learn more at.

The Chequamegon Chapter has planned a very busy schedule of workdays and guided hikes on their section of the NCT in the Chequamegon National Forest area. Learn more about the Chapter by checking out their 2016 calendar here.

The Heritage Chapter is continuing to work on their new 5-mile section of trail in Copper Falls State Park with monthly work weekends. Learn more at their Meetup group here.

Like our Wisconsin Facebook page.