Maah Daah Hey Trail – Southern Section

The southern section of the Maah Daah Hey Trail cuts through some of North Dakota’s most rugged badlands terrain, starting near Medora and winding through Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s backcountry. This isn’t your typical overland route — it’s a purpose-built single-track that demands respect, with steep ascents over Scoria Point and technical descents into prairie dog towns that’ll test your line choice and throttle control.

Rated as expert-level, this trail requires a capable ATV or dirt bike rather than a full-size 4×4. The terrain is unforgiving clay and loose shale that turns greasy when wet, making spring and late fall nearly impassable. Summer’s your window, but pack serious water — there’s none along the route. What you get is pure badlands immersion: 360-degree views from ridge tops, wildlife encounters, and the satisfaction of conquering one of the Midwest’s most challenging motorized trails.