There's A North Dakota Trail That Leads To A Sparkling Lake The Entire Family Will Love
By Tori Jane|Published February 02, 2023
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Did you know that there are, quite literally, hundreds of miles of hiking trails in North Dakota? It’s true – and thanks to our fascinating and diverse landscape, it seems like no matter where you go you’re bound to discover something amazing. Take, for example, this stunning and easy trail we found near Bismarck at the McDowell Dam Recreation Area. This family-friendly lake hike in North Dakota is an amazing example of a short, sweet, and scenic hike, and we think the whole fam will adore it. Just wait until you see that sparkling water!
The McDowell Dam Recreation Area is so much more than just a lake hike.
It IS a recreation area, after all, and believe us when we say there is plenty to do.
We recommend hitting the trail first to get an idea of the general awesomeness that is this area, and the good news is it's a short, sweet, and easy trail that offers amazing views of the whole park.
Follow the McDowell Dam Loop Trail for the entire 2.7 miles, or wander off at various points to do some fun stuff like fishing, boating, or picnicking.
The park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset, and despite its proximity to the city, it's a peaceful place of quiet respite where you're unlikely to encounter other hikers - especially if you arrive early.
Although this trail is a delight for the whole family (even the small ones), it's also an excellent option for some me-time in the event you want to go somewhere you can gather your thoughts without many external distractions.
Should you decide you'd like to go out on the water, but you don't have the tools to do so, no worries - from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day weekend, you can rent equipment like paddleboats, paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes.
