North Dakota · Hiking

Hankinson Hills

15.8 mi
loop
165 ft
climb
1,119 ft
high point
Loop
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Hankinson Hills open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Dakota Prairie Grasslands.

As of · Source: USFS · Dakota Prairie Grasslands. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Hankinson Hills is a 15.8-mile loop hike in the Sheyenne Ranger District of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is rated hard, with a total elevation gain of 165 feet, and it sits on gravel. The route is a loop, and the steepest stretch comes at about 2.4 miles in, where the grade reaches about 6%. The trail is open to both horses and bikes, so riders and riders on horseback can plan a trip together. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Lidgerwood weather station show July highs around 82°F with lows near 60°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s. The closest neighbor is the Sheyenne Ranger District itself, and the Lidgerwood weather station is about 9 miles away.

  • Nearby · Sheyenne National Grassland · Oak Leaf · Red River Valley Provisional Route
  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Hankinson Hills

    Best months: May–October. 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

      20° / 2°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      24° / 6°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      37° / 18°

      6 wet

    4. Apr

      54° / 32°

      8 wet

    5. May

      68° / 45°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      77° / 56°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 60°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 58°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 49°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      57° / 36°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 22°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      25° / 10°

      6 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lidgerwood, ND, 9.1 mi away at 1,125 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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