Pembina Gorge Backcountry Loop

The Pembina Gorge slices 400 feet deep through the flat Red River Valley, creating North Dakota’s most unexpected terrain where aspen and oak forests hide ancient river meanders. The backcountry loop follows old logging roads through Frost Fire ski area and drops into the gorge at Icelandic State Park, crossing the Tongue River multiple times through rock gardens and beaver dam remnants.

This difficult route requires experienced 4WD drivers and solid skid plates for the rocky creek beds and fallen timber obstacles. The clay approaches turn into skating rinks when wet, and flash flooding can trap vehicles in the narrow canyon sections. Best run June through August when water levels drop and the mosquitoes thin out slightly. Limited camping at Icelandic State Park, but the payoff is exploring North Dakota’s hidden forest canyon that most residents don’t even know exists.