The Windswept Sandhills Of Hankinson Hills In North Dakota Are Ideal For A Secluded Hike
By Leah|Published April 08, 2020
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Leah
Author
Leah moved to North Dakota when she was 12 years old and has traveled from the Red River Valley to the badlands and many places in between. She loves small-town life and currently enjoys living on a small farm in the ND prairie. She's always had a passion for writing and has participated in novel writing challenges such as NaNoWriMo multiple times. Her favorite part about this job is recognizing small businesses that deserve a boost and seeing the positive affect her articles can have on their traffic, especially in rural areas that might have otherwise gone overlooked.
Enter a world of quiet, prairie hills in the remote Hankinson Hills. This campground and trails area is reachable only by gravel road, and it’ll take you out into pure nature and tranquility. Whether you’re just looking for a nice, secluded hike in North Dakota or a weekend out under the stars, this spot is perfect for some peace and quiet among one of the more unique landscapes in the state.
You'll have to travel off the beaten path to find this campground and trails park in North Dakota, as it's only accessible by gravel roads. It's worth it though — the seclusion and beautiful scenery are great to clear the mind and get some fresh air.
The Hankinson Hills Campground and trails are part of the Sheyenne National Grassland, and it's located in the very southeast corner of North Dakota. It is one of few places in the state that have sandhills, covered in prairie grass.
The park includes an 8-mile loop trail, multiple trailheads, and a campground. There are hand-cranked water pumps for drinking water and more, and it'll give you a very primitive camping feel.
The trail meanders through the windswept hills and groves of trees. It is clearly marked and wonderfully peaceful as this park is not very well-known or heavily trafficked.
Throughout the trail, you'll probably come across a variety of birds, plants, and possibly other animals like deer. There are some cattle farms nearby that graze their herds in the hills, so be on the lookout for those, as well.
If you want to extend your stay overnight, there are 15 campsites available first-come, first-serve at only $6 a night. There are campsites specifically for people with horses, as well.
It doesn't get much more remote than Hankinson Hills, so you'll be able to enjoy a quiet night under the stars or a tranquil day along the trails. Either way, you'll have a great time on the prairie.
Learn more about Hankinson Hills by visiting this website. It is operated by the USDA. There is no fee to enter the park — just drive your car in, park at one of the available parking lots, and enjoy the trails.
This may be remote, but it’s not the most remote spot in North Dakota. Click the link to find out which spot holds that title.
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