Only an hour and a half from Fargo, Fort Ransom State Park preserves two original North Dakota homesteads in the Sheyenne River Valley. Unlike the mostly flat and treeless prairie found throughout the state, this park is forested and features beautiful views of the valley. Explore the hills through the network of multi-use trails or rent a kayak or canoe to paddle the river. Camp in one of three developed campgrounds or rent one of the yurts or cabins for a more comfortable stay.
The park contains over 14 miles of trail, most of which is multi-use and allows for horseback riding, mountain biking, skiing, and snowshoeing in addition to hiking. These trails form a large looping system, so it is easy to design a hike for your distance and time constraints. Since the park is located on a hillside, most of the trails involve some level of uphill hiking, though usually not for long. Hike the Redetzke Ridge Trail and Valley View Trail for the best views in the park, with overlooks of the forested valley that are particularly stunning in fall. The Little Twig Nature Trail is an easier, interpretive trail good for learning about the park's nature. The North Country National Scenic Trail winds along the Sheyenne River in the park for those looking for a longer adventure.
