Trail Alerts - North Country Trail Association

Any current North Country National Scenic Trail closures or reroutes will be posted here.

Check this page before each hike, or contact the Chapter or Affiliate who maintains the Trail in the area you plan to hike. If you encounter an issue on the Trail, please report it using this form.

North Dakota

Dead Colt Creek Recreation Area. The Colton’s Crossing Bridge is closed – even for pedestrian use.
McClusky Canal – Lonetree Wildlife Management Area. Rough road – not mowed. Use caution while hiking.
Lonetree Wildlife Management Area. ND Game & Fish is doing a prairie restoration that should be complete in 2029 – now it’s planted to row crops. Hikers should follow the mowed detour south of the field and then along its eastern edge
Lonetree Wildlife Management Area. The ND Game & Fish is using active cattle grazing along the NCNST as a land management tool and the rancher is employing electric fences. Some of these electric fences cross the NCNST and most have stretch clip gates. To pass through, simply unhook the clips from the fence post and walk them away from the post (you won’t get shocked), walk through, and then re-attach the posts. The Parking area on 19th St. NE has a fence across the entrance but NCNST parking is allowed.
Sheyenne National Grassland. NCNST users should expect to encounter grazing sheep and their guard dogs in between May 1 and October 1. The sheep rotate throughout different pastures along the NCNST in between mile posts 10-31 (covered on maps ND-071 through ND-075). The sheep herders are instructed to keep the sheep away from the Trail as much as possible but it’s not always the case. Read the “Do’s and Don’ts” on the U.S. Forest Service sign (posted along the NCNST) about how to safely interact with the guard dogs. If folks are planning a hike on the NCNST and are concerned about specific areas, they can call the Sheyenne National Grassland office at (701) 683-4342 and ask what area the sheep are in at that specific time.
McClusky Canal. There is a major trail detour in central North Dakota because of a slide repair project on the McClusky Canal on the McClusky Canal that will be going on for the next 3+ years. The NCNST section to be bypassed is covered on maps ND-009 and ND-010. https://arcg.is/nPr9H0

Minnesota

Grand Rapids. There is a construction project that has temporarily closed a section of the paved multi-use trail between the Forest History Center and the Grand Itasca hospital. Hikers should walk CR-76 and SW 8th Street around it until completed.
Cass/Itasca County border. The NCT is cleared and blazed east of Hwy 6 and the tread is constructed to the new campsite just east of the little pond.
Calumet. Hill Annex Mine State Park is permanently closed due to iron ore mining operations.
Mesabi Trail. The Mesabi Trail between Embarrass and Tower will be completed in late summer 2026. For more details, visit https://mesabitrail.com/plan-your-trip/trail-updates-and-conditions/
Clearwater County Forest. Salvage logging to occur west of CR-39 this fall – closing the NCT between Mackenzie Forest Rd and CR-39.
Tamarac NWR-Itasca-Lake George-Bemidji. Hikers should expect some remaining downed trees on the trail throughout this area as a result of the June windstorm. The LLC Chapter has cleared as far east as the CR-39 trailhead west of Itasca State Park.
Superior Hiking Trail. Popular segments of the Superior Hiking Trail / NCT are currently closed for rehab or bridge work. Find more https://superiorhiking.org/trail-conditions/
Rochert. The NCT is currently flooded south of the Otter Tail River ford where it goes around a private land cornerpost. The water may be up to 12″ deep. Note: this flooded spot is between the white- blazed ford bypass trail and the river ford.
CR-17. The NCT is now complete from CR-17 west to Loons Call Rd but this is currently a dead-end segment. Hikers’ vehicles are not allowed on Northwoods Trail (a private road) or Loons Call Rd but a new parking area is available here.
Lake Vermilion State Park. From MM412 in Lake Vermilion State Park, there are backcountry campsites (fee required) just off the NCT’s route on the Mesabi Trail. See https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00285.pdf.
Heart of the Lakes Trail. From MM72.5 to MM80.75, the NCT now follows the Heart of the Lakes paved multi-use trail which lies adjacent to the roads. This NCT segment is not yet signed.

For trail alerts along the Superior Hiking Trail, visit the Superior Hiking Trail Association’s Trail Conditions web page. For Trail alerts along the Border Route Trail, visit the Border Route Trail Association’s Trail Conditions web page.

Wisconsin

Casey Sag Road. A new trailhead parking area is available off of Casey Sag Rd. with a short spur trail to the NCT.
Highway 169. The road paralleling the NCT just south of the middle crossing of Hwy 169 is a gated private road – no public access is available to the NCT.
MacQuarrie Wetlands Segment to Pattison State Park. The Nemadji River Bridge on County Highway W is closed due to washout but construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.
Copper Falls State Park. Dogs are not allowed on the Doughboys Nature Trail portion of the NCNST within Copper Falls State Park. NCNST hikers with a dog should plan to take an alternative route. The park can be reached at (715) 274-5123.

Michigan

Tahquamenon Falls State Park – River Trail Between the Falls. From the Michigan DNR: For the safety of visitors, the 4-mile River Trail connecting the Upper and Lower Tahquamenon Falls is closed for the winter due to unsafe conditions. Already this winter, downed trees, flooded portions of trail, deep snow and extremely slippery footing, especially on staircases and sloped areas, has been observed. When injuries occur, it’s very difficult for park staff to reach these locations to provide medical assistance. The trail will reopen when conditions allow, which is anticipated in mid-May 2026.
Western U.P. Due to heavy snowfall and winds around Thanksgiving, the NCT may be difficult to follow or impassable in much of the Upper Peninsula from the MI/WI border east to Marquette. Please plan ahead and use extreme caution. More popular sections like the O Kun de Kun Falls, Canyon Falls, and Tibbet Falls trails, among others are being prioritized.
Yankee Springs – Hall Lake. This parking area is closed while the lake is being drawn down for work on the dam.
Northern Lower – Harbor Springs. Due to the spring 2025 ice storm and logging operations planned throughout winter please follow the signed reroute following N Conway Rd and Valley Rd until scouting can commence in spring of 2026.
Ontonagon County- Downstream from the Victoria Dam. The river crossing can become impassable at times due to water released from the Victoria Dam reservoir. The dam releases water until mid-June or later for fish migration. Dam also releases water when there has been significant rain in the day(s) before. You can try to call the dam operators office (906-886-2637) and leave a message for a return call asking if water is being released from the dam. Their answer is rain dependent, so they will not know many days ahead of time. Or visit uppco.com/hydro-water-levels and scroll down to Ontonagon River > Victoria > Total Flow. If the Total Flow is greater than 650cfs they will be releasing water from the dam. The highwater bypass follows Victoria Dam Road and US-45 on this route. The route is only three miles longer than staying on the Trail and takes you into Rockland where there is dining, supplies, a post office (limited hours), and lodging.
West of M-37 – Wexford County. Due to a sinkhole, No. 12 Rd is closed to vehicular traffic.
Copper Peak Rd, Gogebic County. Copper Peak Rd, between Black River Rd, is closed due to the construction of the Copper Peak Phase 1 Project. Follow Black River Rd during this time.
Upper Falls – Tahquamenon Falls State Park. The 94 stairs leading to the brink of the Upper Falls are being replaced with a fully accessible 900′ long boardwalk. Follow the short reroute during construction, which is expected to last until September 1, 2025. All other Upper Falls viewing areas will remain open to visitors during construction, including the three viewing platforms situated above the falls

Ohio

St Marys. Improvements to the Miami Erie Canal Towpath will result in a 6 month closure from 7am-5pm Monday-Friday. The route will be open and passable on weekends. Plan accordingly. Detour heading north: at High St. turn right. Turn left (north) at Spruce St. and continue ~ 1 mile, passing over SR 33 until you intersect with Delphos-St. Marys Road. Turn left at Glynwood Rd and follow until you intersect with NCT/BT.
Roundbottom Road. Please exercise caution and remain alert while hiking through this area. The Trail is routed along a busy roadway between Perintown and South Milford.
Malvern to Waynesburg. Please exercise caution on this stretch of Citrus Road road due to ongoing construction from utility improvements.
Magnolia. The one mile segment of off-road NCT between OH E 8.7 to OH E 9.7 west of Magnolia, OH has been closed by the landowner. Hikers should follow the road walk blazes on Imperial Rd. NW and Magnolia Rd. NW to bypass this section until the issue has been resolved.

For other trail alerts along the Buckeye Trail, visit the Buckeye Trail Association’s Trail Alerts web page.

Pennsylvania

Allegheny National Forest, forest wide.Winter weather conditions may impact trail access at various locations throughout the forest. Most unsurfaced forest roads are unmaintained this time of year and trailhead parking on forest roads may be difficult. Consider the recent weather forecast as you make your plans. This interactive map shows the NCT, trailheads, and road types.
Statewide- Sunday Hunting. All PA State Game Lands will now be open for hunting on Sundays. For the most up to date information please visit: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/huntingandtrapping/regulations/seasons-and-bag-limits and plan accordingly for your safety. It is advisable to wear blaze orange when hiking these areas throughout winter.
Allegheny National Forest, Tracy Ridge. The NCT traverses both Johnnycake and Tracy Run. Currently there are no structures in place at these crossings. Crossing may be dangerous due to changing water levels, especially during winter temperatures, spring runoff or after a significant storm event. All users should exercise caution in this area and be aware of current water levels. Approaching Tracy Run from the north, the only detour is to doubleback on the NCT and exit the system. From the south, hikers can doubleback to the Tracy Ridge trail connector and exit the system or return on the NCT. Due to the remoteness of this area, checking maps ahead of time for route planning is advised.
Shippenville. The NCT goes through PA SGL 63 where it traverses Deer Creek and there are no structures for passage. This crossing may be dangerous due to the changing water levels, especially during spring runoff or after significant storm events. All users should exercise extreme caution in this area. Detour as follows: From West – Take Bryners Mill Road North to Rt. 322 to Rt. 66 South back to the NCT. From East – Take Rt. 66 North to Rt. 322 East to traffic light in Shippenville. School St. turns into Bryners Mill Rd, take south to NCT.

New York

Watkins Glen State Park. The park is replacing the Sentry Bridge. Starting in January 2025, the NCT/FLT will be detoured for the duration of the project (estimated completion July 2026). The temporary route north crosses the gorge at the suspension bridge, follows the North Rim trail between that location and the entrance to the park where it will re-connect with the existing trail. Detour will be marked in the field and can be viewed on this map.
Stone Dam Trail. Due to the bridge being out over Little Woodhull Creek on the Stone Dam Trail, the NCNST has been rerouted from Stone Dam Trail. Now continue to follow North Lake Rd to Little Woodhull Trail to Sand Lake Trail to Bear Lake Trail.
Adirondack Park, North Branch Trout Brook. Challenging ford over Trout Brook. Choose footing carefully and plan for a wet crossing.
Adirondack Park, Crane Pond Trail. The trail is flooded in this area. An alternative route is available to the north.
Durhamville. The Oneida Creek bridge on State Route 46 has been completely removed. A 5+ mile detour is marked at ST 31 and ST 46 on the north end as well as at Canal St. and ST 316 at the south end.
Crown Point. The Crown Point State Historic Site is currently undergoing a Unit Management Plan update. The proposed NCNST route which traverses the old fort ramparts has been submitted for approval in this process. Until then, use Grandview Drive as the NCNST route.
Adirondack Park. Navigating the mostly undeveloped route of the NCNST in the Adirondack Park will require special planning preparations. You can find more information on our Adirondack page.

For trail alerts along the Finger Lakes Trail, visit the Finger Lakes Trail Conference’s Trail Conditions web page.

Vermont

- Green Mountain National Forest, Oak Ridge Trail. The Oak Ridge Trail from the Route 125 side has a significant culvert washout about ½ mile from the parking lot. More information can be found on the Green Mountain National Forest website.

For trail alerts along the Trail Around Middlebury (TAM), visit the Middlebury Area Land Trust’s “Trails” web page.

For trail alerts within the Green Mountain National Forest, visit the Green Mountain Club’s Trail Updates web page.

Header photo by Grand Rapids Christian Middle School