North Dakota · Hiking

Caprock Coulee Trail

Caprock Coulee TrailPhoto: daveynin, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.7 mi
round trip
1,264 ft
climb
2,446 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Caprock Coulee Trail open right now?

No closures listed

The National Park Service lists no closures for Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

As of · Source: NPS · Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Caprock Coulee Trail is a 2.65-mile moderate hike in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, managed by the National Park Service. The trail is an out-and-back route that starts and ends at about 2,436 feet, with a high point of 2,446 feet and a total elevation gain of 1,264 feet over the course of the round trip. The steepest stretch comes at about 1.3 miles in, with a grade of 12 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Watford City show July highs around 85°F with lows near 56°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s. The trail is about 0.4 miles from the North Achenbach Trail and about 1 mile from the Caprock Coulee Trailhead. Within a few miles you'll also find the Achenbach Trail and CCC Campground.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Caprock Coulee Trail

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      24° / 2°

    2. Feb

      30° / 6°

    3. Mar

      42° / 18°

    4. Apr

      56° / 30°

    5. May

      67° / 40°

    6. Jun

      76° / 50°

    7. Jul

      85° / 56°

    8. Aug

      84° / 54°

    9. Sep

      74° / 43°

    10. Oct

      57° / 31°

    11. Nov

      41° / 18°

    12. Dec

      28° / 6°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Watford City 14s, ND, 5.6 mi away at 2,027 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Caprock Coulee TrailPhoto: Seth Tisue, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors