ノースダコタのおすすめランニングルート

This nature trail (part of the overall Caprock Coulee loop) doesn't have much elevation gain, so it makes a great warm-up or a short run in and of itself. It's very popular with hikers, though, so your best chance of an uninterrupted run is getting out here early or late, or maybe during the week. Keep an eye out for wildlife, including bison, which are fast and dangerous — you don't want to end up running sprints with one of those behind you.

This wild, remote-feeling trail takes you through a little bit of everything that makes Theodore Roosevelt National Park special, from open prairie to deep canyons and sagebrush terraces. Keep an eye out for wildlife as large as bison or as small as prairie dogs, and make sure to give them plenty of room.

There's a prairie dog town right about here, but the "town" is actually a series of underground tunnels — so you're best off watching for the prairie dogs themselves, which look much like fat little squirrels with short, stubby tails. Often, the easiest way to spot them is by watching for movement when they dash for the cover of one of their many burrow entrances, or listen for their chirping alarm calls. You might see lots of other wildlife here too, drawn by the prairie dogs.

The Jones Creek Trail is a great trail to see the beautiful hills and grassland of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. There is not much elevation change, so it is not a very challenging path.

The Ekblom Trail connects the Maah Daah Hey Trail to the Big Plateau Trail. It is a great way to extend your run and join two popular routes. There is a stream crossing, so you should get information about the water level at the visitor's center.

Most of the Big Plateau Trail runs over (surprise!) a big plateau with grasslands. This means little elevation changes on most of the trail. The only elevation changes are at the start and the end of the trail, going up and down the canyons. It's never a certainty, but the big plateau is known for big herds of bison hanging out. A river crossing is mandatory to make it out to both Big Plateau and Lone Tree Spring Loop Trail. Check-in with the visitor center about water depth and safety measures.

Coal Vein Nature Trail is a great trail if you are interested in the history of the area. There are informational signs along the trail to give you some information on how the area has changed over the centuries and how you can see this in the rock formations in the area.

The Painted Canyon Trail is a great alternative to the Painted Canyon Nature Trail, if you are looking for something without the crowds and a bit more difficult. It still gives you the great views of the area, but it will be more likely you will have the trail all to yourself.