North Dakota is a beautiful state with a lot of amazing places to go, beautiful things to see, and interesting things to do. Among all that good stuff are plenty of absolutely stunning hiking trails that lead adventurers through some of North Dakota’s most beautiful backcountry and landscapes. Thanks to North Dakota’s position firmly in the Badlands, a lot of the hiking trails in North Dakota can seem to be very similar… except for the one we’re looking at today. This trail, known as the Ice Cave Loop near the town of Fairfield, is an easy loop trail that we consider one of the best hikes in North Dakota due to its sheer uniqueness. Check out this short and sweet adventure that feels like something from another world:

The Ice Cave Loop is a 2.1-mile loop trail that's nestled in the woods near Fairfield.
James Greff/AllTrails
Like many trails in North Dakota, this trail is seldom, if ever, crowded, and you're not likely to run into a whole lot of others on the way - especially if you come out during the week instead of on a weekend.
It may be a brief jaunt through North Dakotan wilderness, but it's not without its points of interest.
Cory Halverson/AllTrails
You'll encounter rolling hills, gorgeous gorges (see what we did there?), and even a set of shallow caves eroded into the cliffs.
Looking up as you traverse the bottom of the gorge is quite the experience.
Kai Engstroem/AllTrails
Keep your eyes peeled, though, because the hidden caves you'll find along the trail often have ice and snow in them as late as mid-July!

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They're not terribly deep and they aren't technically true "caves," but boy, are they fun!
Kai Engstroem/AllTrails
One of our favorite things to do while we're out here is to rest within these little grottos to recharge our energy. Sure, the hike is easy and brief and you may not require that much of a recharge, but you could always use a good reason to hang out in the caves.
The Ice Cave trail is managed by the Maah Daah Hey Trail Association, and sometimes, it's closed for some reason or another.
James Greff/AllTrails
To check and make sure Ice Cave Trail - or any trail under the care of the Maah Daah Hey Trail Association - is open, be sure to visit the official association website.
Come explore, and see why this is one of our all-time favorite picks for the best hikes in North Dakota.
Kai Engstroem/AllTrails


Explore the unique and fascinating Badlands ice caves in North Dakota in this video from Blindly Made Videos:

North Dakota has a nice mix of hiking options. From canyons and buttes to lush forests with lakes and streams nipping at your heels. What are your favorite hiking trails in North Dakota? Share your best North Dakota hikes with a comment.

Need some more ideas for your next adventure? Why not check out the rest of the Maah Daah Hey Trail?

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More to Explore

More hiking trails in North Dakota

Chris Muras | April 26, 2023

What are some of the best North Dakota hikes?

 

North Dakota has some wonderful hikes with caves, lakes, buttes, and interesting rock formations to explore. Here are a few of the best hikes in North Dakota to enjoy on your next day out on the trails:

  • Wind Canyon Trail, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND: Enjoy epic views of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. With a wide-open landscape of canyons and buttes and amazing sunsets, there is no shortage of great hiking trails. Wind Canyon is a short but sweet hike above the Little Missouri River with gorgeous views.
  • Fort Stevenson Loop, Garrison, ND: Enjoy a completely different landscape at Fort Stevenson State Park. Instead of dry dusty canyons, you'll walk through forests with views of Lake Sakakawea. There are a number of trails in the park as well as a campground and marina.
  • Harmon Lake Trail, Mandan, ND: Another wonderful lake trail is about 8.3 miles in total. This loop trail is dog-friendly, so take your furry friend on a rugged adventure around the lake. With a boardwalk into the watershed and wide open areas with endless views of the skyline, there is a diversity of terrain that will keep things interesting.
  • Turtle River Nature Trail, Arvilla, ND: In Turtle River State Park, you'll find this wonderfully lush forest trail with hidden openings to see the meandering river. The state park and campground have plenty of short trails to enjoy for hiking, mountain biking, and winter activities. Be sure to pack your fishing pole for some excellent fly fishing in the stocked trout streams as well.

 

Read more about these trails and several more wonderful North Dakota hikes in this article showing off 12 scenic nature trails in ND.

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Featured Addresses
Ice Caves Trailhead, Maah Daah Hey Trail, Unnamed Road, Fairfield, ND 58627, USA