Originally published in Trazee Travel May 1, 2024

by Mary Melnick

Escape Adventures now offers a five-day camping and mountain biking tour of the Maah Daah Hey Trail System in North Dakota. Showcasing some of America’s most unique terrain, the trail offers majestic plateaus, jagged peaks and valleys, rolling prairies, and intertwining rivers.

“From the northern unit to the ultra-charming, cowboy-poet town of Medora, we spend five days riding what’s commonly called the most stunning stretch of The Northern Plains,” said Jared Fisher, director, Escape Adventures.

With different terrains, no national park outside of Alaska is better suited for pure, backcountry trekking and wildlife encounters. While exploring the trail, bikers may come face to face with bison, elk, bighorn sheep, wild horses, pronghorn antelope, coyote and wild turkey.

Day 1 and 2

Travelers meet in Medora to be shuttled to the trail just outside Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The tour starts with an introductory ride to give bikers an inside look at the Badlands. Explore Bennett Trail through high prairie grasses and wooded draws. After a day of biking, spend the evening under the bright stars and fall asleep to the coyote calls coming from afar.

Day 3 and 4

Wake up, ride Devil’s Pass and enjoy spectacular views across the Little Missouri River Valley. Camp will be set up near Elkhorn Ranch for a good night’s rest before setting off to explore Buffalo Gap and Wannagan Creek.

Day 5

Continue along Buffalo Gap on the outskirts of Theodore Roosevelt National Park until you arrive back in Medora.