マッケンジー郡のおすすめウォーキング＆ハイキングルート

China Wall is a striking geologic feature made up of multi-colored layers that is a sight to behold on its own. However, if you venture to the top of the wall you will be treated to sweeping views across the North Dakota Badlands.

All told, the Maah Daah Hey Trail runs for 144 miles through the badlands of North Dakota. It's open to all non-motorized uses, including running, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking — except for when it passes through Theodore Roosevelt National Park. For that stretch, mountain biking is not allowed.

This portion of the Maah Daah Hey Trail passes through Theodore Roosevelt National Park. While in the park, mountain biking is not allowed — so you'll only be sharing the trail with hikers, runners, and horseback riders. Along the way you can take in stellar views over the dramatic canyons of the Badlands, and there's lot of potential for wildlife sightings too. Make sure to give wildlife — especially big wildlife like bison — plenty of space.

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.

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.

China Wall is a sandy, striped mesa of compacted sand that you can climb to the top of for views of the surrounding badlands.

There are two trailheads for Bennet Trail. This one is Bennet Campground. Bennet Campground has a hand pump spigot with potable water during the summer months. Vault toilets are also open for public use in the summer months. Bennet Trail starts off by crossing Bennet Creek, which can occasionally be high and somewhat difficult to cross. The trail travels through the North Dakota Badlands and offers views of unique geological features. There are small sections of sharp inclines with immediate declines and the trail has little available shade. The trail can be very muddy after rain.

The Little Missouri River provides a contrast in views from the badlands that surround it in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Lush greenery can be found around the water. Along the Little Missouri Nature Trail, visitors can find signage that educates about the ecosystems found in the area and enjoy the flowing water.