North Dakota

West Central North Dakota

Section

The Western Terminus of the NCT in Lake Sakakawea State Park to the east end of Lonetree Wildlife Management Area.

This section of the Trail features 33 miles of off-road Trail within Lonetree Wildlife Management Area, a long, 76-mile section following the McClusky Canal, 12 miles of off-road Trail through the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge, a road walk from Coleharbor to Riverdale and across Garrison Dam, and a short, off-road segment leading to the Western Terminus within Lake Sakakawea State Park.

The NCT traverses Lonetree Wildlife Management Area (WMA), originally intended as a storage reservoir on the Garrison Diversion project, for over 30 miles. Today, Lonetree is the state’s largest WMA and offers a great variety of habitats such as native prairie, restored prairie, woodlands and wetlands, and outdoor recreation features including the North Country Trail, campgrounds and fishing. The McClusky Canal was another portion of the Garrison Diversion project and offers unique scenery, small towns, and camping opportunities.

Header photo by Dove Day

kety DataKey Data

Need to Know

This area can experience extreme winter weather and offers limited shelter options. Water is available from the McClusky Canal or in adjacent bodies of water, but should be treated. The NCT in this area is routed on gravel roads for long distances. It is open to horses and biking. Dispersed camping is allowed along the canal and there are also several campgrounds. No camping is allowed within Audubon National Wildlife Refuge. Long distance hikers must plan accordingly.

Local Chapters

Central Flyway Chapter