North Country National Scenic Trail

Things To Do Near North Country National Scenic Trail

While there are many different places where you can access the North Country National Scenic Trail if you want to hike the whole way, start at Lonetree Wildlife Management Area near Harvey, North Dakota. Head east around Lake Ashtabula, and follow the New Rockford Canal. Once you get to Minnesota, you will want to do hikes in Chippewa National Forest, the Cohasset area, and Grand Rapids before exiting the state and exploring the Michigan and Wisconsin trails, including those in Manistee National Forest. Then, head to Ohio, and follow 600 miles of the Buckeye Trail. End your hiking adventure on trails in Pennsylvania and New York. Keep abreast of news as this trail continues to expand into Vermont and other locations.

Hiking Trails

• Border Route Trail 

  The Border Route Trail begins at Magnetic Rock near Gunflint Lake within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The trail descends across the Gunflint Lake Ridge to Loon Lake. It passes over Watap Lake Overlook, Rose Lake Overlook, and Stairway Portage. The trail ends by passing around Rove, Clearwater, Gogebic, and MacFarland Lake before coming to its conclusion on Otter Lake Road. 

  Location

  Magnetic Rock, County Road 12, Grand Marais, MN 55604 

  Length

  65 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Superior Hiking Trail 

  The Superior Hiking Trail starts at its highest elevation, which is located off Wisconsin’s Cook County Road 16 in a boreal forest. Hike along over the rocky ridges offering views of Lake Superior and Isle Royale National Park before passing through Lutsen Mountain Recreation Area, Cascade River State Park, Caribou Falls State Wayside, and Temperance River State Park before reaching Highway 1. The trail then crosses Crosby-Manitou State Park, Gooseberry Falls State Park, Jay Cooke State Park, and other attractions before ending near the Wisconsin-Minnesota State Border on Wild Valley Road. 

  Location

  Cook County Road 16, Hovland, MN 55606 

  Length

  310 miles

  Intensity

  Difficult

• Buckeye Trail 

  The Buckeye Trail circles the entire state of Ohio. Consider starting your hiking adventure at the towpath of the Miami-Erie Canal near Deep Cut Historical Park and follow the historic canal until you reach the Great Miami River. The trail then follows trails along the river initially laid out by the Shawnee and Miami Indians. Continue on this trail around the edge of the state to see its many different regions. 

  Location

  Miami-Erie Canal near Deep Cut Historical Park, 3659 OH 66, Spencerville, OH 45887 

  Length

  1,400+ miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

Sightseeing

• Johnston Farm and Indian Agency 

  Tour the restored John Johnston's three-story federal farmhouse built in 1815 and restored with period-appropriate furnishings. View the double-pen barn that was constructed in 1808 and is one of the oldest in the state and many other historic buildings at this farmstead. Do not leave without taking a ride on the 200-year-old canal boat, which is still drawn by a mule team. 

  Location

  9845 North Hardin Road, Piqua, OH 45356 

• Mines and Meadows 

  Ride an ATV across 84 miles of trails at Mines and Meadows. You will not want to miss riding in the pitch-black limestone cave, where you must rely on your headlights to guide you. As you round a corner in the cave, you will suddenly arrive at an underground lake. You can also go on a guided cave tour. 

  Location

  1307 Old Route 18, Wampum, PA 16157

• Character Challenge Adventure Park 

  See if you are brave enough to complete the high ropes course at Character Challenge Adventure Park. Take a leap of faith off the top of a 25-foot telephone pole or fly up to 40 feet in the air on a free-fall swing. 

  Location

  13248 County Road 40, Park Rapids, MN 56470

Museums

• Buffalo Trails Museum 

  Tour the downtown area of Epping, North Dakota. There are eight historical buildings, including a post office, blacksmith shop, and hardware store. 

  Location

  Downtown, Epping, ND 58843

• The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake 

  Learn about how people lived in the Adirondacks from the 19th century to the present time at The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake. There are indoor and outdoor exhibits to explore. See a one-room cabin, and learn how the Buck Club was instrumental in tourism in the Adirondacks. 

  Location

  9097 State Route 30, Blue Mountain Lake, NY 12812

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• The Shoppes at Emerson 

  Lay on your back inside an old silo that has been converted into the world’s largest kaleidoscope at The Shoppes at Emerson. Then, head inside the adjacent barn built in 1860 to shop for toys, bath and beauty products, and men’s clothing. 

  Location

  5340 Route 28, Mount Tremper, NY 12457 

• Ages Past Antiques 

  Browse for coins, rare books, antique furniture, and home décor at Ages Past Antiques. You will find antique, primitive, and vintage items indoors and outdoors at this well-organized store. 

  Location

  8714 Highway 47 South, Minocqua, WI 54548

• Heritage Restaurant 

  Enjoy an upscale dining experience at the Heritage Restaurant. The staff members at this restaurant are students at the Institute for Culinary Education. You may also want to pick up baked goodies to enjoy on the trail. 

  Location

  151 Fountain Street Northeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 

• The View Restaurant 

  Start your day with stuffed French toast at The View Restaurant. Come back later for delicious duck wings, free-range chicken, or salmon prepared with local ingredients where possible. 

  Location

  77 Mirror Lake Drive, Lake Placid, NY 12946 

How To Get To North Country National Scenic Trail

A great place to start a North Country National Scenic Trail visit is at this trail’s headquarters in Lowell, Michigan. The office is at 318 East Main Street, Suite K. You can easily get to this location from Detroit. Start by getting on Michigan 10 North. Take Exit 18C to get on Interstate 696 West. Merge onto Interstate 96 West. Take Exit 52 to get on Michigan 50 East. Turn right onto Alden Nash Avenue Southeast. Continue straight, and the road becomes Segwun Avenue Southeast and South Hudson Street Southeast. Turn right onto West Matin Street, and the destination will be on your right. 

Address

318 East Main Street Suite K, Lowell, MI 49331 

Fee: Entry Fee (per person)

There is no entry fee. Parks, wildlife management areas, and other attractions along the route may have fees.

Since North Country National Scenic Trail covers more than 4,700 miles across North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Vermont, you will want to bring your RV to have a comfortable place to rest between hikes. Bringing your RV also makes it easy to travel from one hiking location to the next.