North Dakota · Hiking

Maah Daah Hey - North Dakota

12.5 mi
one way
1,412 ft
climb
2,616 ft
high point
Point to point
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Maah Daah Hey - North Dakota 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.

Maah Daah Hey is a hard hike in north-central North Dakota, about 12.5 miles long with a total elevation gain of 1,412 feet. It crosses state land managed by the State Land Board, within the McKenzie Ranger District of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands. The route is a point-to-point trail, and the steepest stretch comes at about 7.8 miles, where the grade reaches 19%. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Grassy Butte show July and August highs around 83°F with lows in the mid-50s, while winter brings highs in the 20s and regular snow days from December through February. Cottonwood is about a mile away, and Bennett Campground and the Bennett hike are both within about 5 miles. Magpie Campground sits roughly 10 miles off.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Maah Daah Hey - North Dakota

    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° / 6°

      7 wet · 7 snow

    2. Feb

      28° / 10°

      6 wet · 7 snow

    3. Mar

      41° / 19°

      7 wet · 6 snow

    4. Apr

      55° / 30°

      8 wet · 3 snow

    5. May

      66° / 40°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      75° / 50°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 55°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 54°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 45°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 32°

      7 wet · 2 snow

    11. Nov

      39° / 20°

      7 wet · 5 snow

    12. Dec

      27° / 10°

      7 wet · 7 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Grassy Butte 2ene, ND, 7.5 mi away at 2,670 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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