North Dakota · Hiking

Summit Viewpoint

Summit ViewpointPhoto: Chad Davis., CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
0.4 mi
round trip
46 ft
climb
2,522 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Summit Viewpoint 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.

Summit Viewpoint is a short, easy hike on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, in the McKenzie Ranger District of the national forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about 0.44 miles long, with a total elevation gain and loss of about 46 feet each, so it works well as a quick stop or a short outing on a longer day. The trail is paved with gravel and allows bikes, which makes it a flexible choice for hikers and riders. The climb is almost flat, with the steepest point at about 0.06 miles in, where the grade reaches 3%. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Watford City put May highs around 67°F and September highs around 74°F, with July the warmest month at about 85°F. Summit Trail is about 2.5 miles away. CCC Campground and Long X are both within about 4 miles, and Bennett Campground is about 5.9 miles off.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Summit Viewpoint

    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, 4.3 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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