North Dakota's Best Hiking Trails

First, this is an excellent resource for the hiker looking for hikes in North Dakota and I unambiguously recommend it. There seems not to be any direct competition for this book so that if you are looking for a book covering hikes in North Dakota then this seems to be it. However, it is not perfect...My general suggestion is to pick a hike from the book and then research on your own how to get there (i.e. via the Internet in general as well as Google maps or Google Earth) using the book as a guide. Sometimes using only the book can be frustrating (to put it mildly). Also, if the area has trail maps available for it then there is a good chance that they are much better than the maps that are in the book and I highly recommend that you obtain these.Here are some comments about specific hikes;White Butte - an excellent hike (one of the best) but one which needs better driving directions. I unknowingly missed the turnoff from Highway 85 and saw a large highway sign just off the road directing one to White Butte over a farmer's road (at least that is what I would call it). This turnoff was next to a cemetery (Saints Peter & Paul). I tried to drive it and turned back in less than half a mile as I was worried that my car might be too damaged if I continued. The correct turnoff from Highway 85 was a little before this misleading sign. Maybe there are plans to improve the road where the big sign is located but unless you have a truck based vehicle I suggest you avoid it. In fact, one problem was that the directions / map in the book could definitely be improved. Research finding your way (use Google as I eventually did) to the mailbox / trailhead and don't only rely only on the directions in the book.Indian Hills State Recreation Area - there is a color postcard sized hiking trail map available for free in the office / store. Get it and use it as the map in the book is definitely not as good. The postcard map is not great but it is very usable. This is also a hike that I can definitely recommend.Theodore Roosevelt National Park - In the South Unit the Jones Creek trail is recommended and in the North Unit the Upper Caprock Coulee Trail is less recommended (it was okay, not great).Lake Metigoshe - When I was there the trail was too far underwater for too great a distance at key places and was therefore unpassable. I highly suggest the free map available from where you pay to enter as the book's map lacks many details. FWIW, I also noticed a bit of poison ivy near the trail and a few too many mosquitoes for me. From my one experience, I can not recommend this hike.Cross Ranch State park - The Matah trail was nice / mellow - get the free brochures available where you pay admission which have much better trail maps than what is in the book. Overall, nice easy hike.Fairview Bridge & Cartwright Tunnel - nice. Remember to bring a flashlight.Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park - Highly recommended! I wish I went here sooner. Nice trail system but do get the free multicolored map that is available at the park which is much much more useful than the map in the book.

A gift for my sister. She loved it.