Souris River Loop Trail

The Souris River makes a horseshoe bend through north-central North Dakota, and this backcountry route follows section roads and farm tracks around the entire loop through some of the continent’s most productive waterfowl habitat. You’ll cross the river twice on old steel bridges that creak under truck weight, pass abandoned homesteads slowly being reclaimed by cattails and willows, and navigate seasonal wetlands that can turn the route into a mud fest during spring runoff. The highlight is the remote stretch between Granville and Bantry where civilization disappears for miles.

High clearance is mandatory, 4WD recommended during wet conditions or spring thaw. Many sections are impassable from March through May due to flooding and mud. Summer and fall provide the best conditions, though mosquitoes can be brutal in July. This is proper backcountry with no services for 40+ miles at times. The reward is witnessing North America’s prairie pothole region in its prime, with countless waterfowl and some of the most expansive big sky views in the state.