Maah Daah Hey Trail

The Maah Daah Hey Trail stretches 144 miles through North Dakota’s badlands, connecting Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s south unit to the CCC Campground near Watford City. This isn’t your typical weekend cruise—the trail winds through remote buttes, coulees, and prairie where cell service vanishes and the nearest gas station might be 50 miles behind you. Key waypoints include the Burning Coal Vein where underground coal seams have burned for decades, and the challenging descent into the Little Missouri River valley near the Elkhorn Ranch site.

Rated moderate to difficult depending on conditions, this route demands high-clearance 4WD minimum, with low-range gearing essential for the steep badlands descents. Spring mud can make sections impassable, while summer heat requires extra water—plan 3-4 gallons per person. Best tackled May through September when river crossings are manageable. You’ll earn stunning vistas of the painted badlands, wildlife encounters with bison and elk, and the satisfaction of conquering one of the Great Plains’ most challenging overland routes.