Click here to see a topographic version of this map with GPS waypoints (268 KB).
Click here to see a profile of area 1 (21 KB).
Click here to see a bird's eye view of area 1. (93 KB - Vertical Scale Exaggerated 8X)
| Waypoint Name | Latitude | Longitude | Bearing (Deg) | Distance to point (ft) | Total Distance (ft) |
| A1-1-- | 47 deg 30 min 22 sec N | 103 deg 24 min 30 sec W | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A1-2-- | 47 deg 30 min 24 sec N | 103 deg 24 min 26 sec W | 45.1 | 333 | 333 |
| A1-3-- | 47 deg 30 min 27 sec N | 103 deg 24 min 28 sec W | 326.3 | 282 | 615 |
| A1-4-- | 47 deg 30 min 58 sec N | 103 deg 23 min 59 sec W | 32.4 | 3802 | 4417 |
| A1-5-- | 47 deg 31 min 11 sec N | 103 deg 23 min 55 sec W | 10.7 | 1274 | 5691 |
| A1-6-- | 47 deg 31 min 17 sec N | 103 deg 24 min 6 sec W | 311.6 | 944 | 6634 |
| A1-7-- | 47 deg 31 min 32 sec N | 103 deg 24 min 20 sec W | 325.5 | 1803 | 8438 |
| A1-8-- | 47 deg 31 min 54 sec N | 103 deg 24 min 23 sec W | 356.1 | 2294 | 10732 |
| A1-9-- | 47 deg 32 min 8 sec N | 103 deg 24 min 32 sec W | 336 | 1542 | 12274 |
| A1-10- | 47 deg 32 min 58 sec N | 103 deg 24 min 33 sec W | 359.1 | 5048 | 17322 |
| A1-11- | 47 deg 33 min 0 sec N | 103 deg 23 min 48 sec W | 85.6 | 3070 | 20392 |
| A1-12- | 47 deg 32 min 30 sec N | 103 deg 22 min 17 sec W | 115.9 | 6981 | 27372 |
| A1-13- | 47 deg 32 min 33 sec N | 103 deg 22 min 8 sec W | 63.5 | 702 | 28074 |
| A1-14- | 47 deg 32 min 37 sec N | 103 deg 22 min 1 sec W | 50.3 | 613 | 28687 |
| A1-15- | 47 deg 32 min 35 sec N | 103 deg 21 min 49 sec W | 105.9 | 857 | 29543 |
| A1-16- | 47 deg 32 min 43 sec N | 103 deg 20 min 29 sec W | 81.9 | 5550 | 35093 |
| A1-17- | 47 deg 32 min 43 sec N | 103 deg 18 min 57 sec W | 90 | 6278 | 41372 |
| A1-18- | 47 deg 32 min 57 sec N | 103 deg 18 min 38 sec W | 42.2 | 1928 | 43300 |
| A1-19- | 47 deg 33 min 6 sec N | 103 deg 18 min 10 sec W | 64.4 | 2176 | 45476 |
| A1-20- | 47 deg 33 min 21 sec N | 103 deg 17 min 58 sec W | 27.8 | 1681 | 47156 |
| A1-21- | 47 deg 33 min 35 sec N | 103 deg 17 min 3 sec W | 69.7 | 4058 | 51215 |
| A1-22- | 47 deg 33 min 40 sec N | 103 deg 16 min 58 sec W | 34.9 | 620 | 51834 |
| A1-23- | 47 deg 34 min 13 sec N | 103 deg 16 min 51 sec W | 7.4 | 3453 | 55287 |
| A1-24- | 47 deg 34 min 37 sec N | 103 deg 16 min 44 sec W | 10.9 | 2486 | 57774 |
| A1-25- | 47 deg 34 min 52 sec N | 103 deg 16 min 36 sec W | 20.6 | 1605 | 59379 |
| A1-26- | 47 deg 35 min 6 sec N | 103 deg 16 min 30 sec W | 15 | 1458 | 60837 |
| A1-27- | 47 deg 35 min 15 sec N | 103 deg 16 min 30 sec W | 0 | 845 | 61682 |
Right-click and select "Save Target As" to download the following EasyGPS route files for areas 1 through 9 => mdh.gpx (approx. 50K).
Total Distance of this section is approximately 12.5 miles with 2-3 hours of actual riding time. Allow 5-6 hours for the complete ride.
To get to the start point - On highway 85, drive about 7 miles north of Grassy Butte or 6-1/2 miles south of the Long X Bridge at the Little Missouri River. Turn west on the gravel road, and drive generally west about 6-1/2 miles to an intersection with a gravel/scoria road on the south. You may pass these posted signs (taken during the spring of 2003) on the drive to the trailhead. Here is a link to the farm subsidy information for the landowner responsible for these signs! Drive 2 miles south and west on this gravel/scoria oil well road down the steep valley. The MDH crosses this road near the center of section 34.
The Bennett Campground is located about 4 curvy miles east then 1 mile southwest of the M-D-H trail intersection with the road, if you follow the road. As you follow the road east from the trail intersection, you will climb a large hill, then meet up with the gravel road leading to highway 85. Follow this road about 1-1/2 miles to another intersection. Take the road south from this intersection. The campground is about 1 mile southwest of this intersection. This campground features 9 back-in campsites and 2 double unit pull-through camp spurs. A single vault, unisex, handicap accessible toilet is installed. A water well is available and operational during the summer months. It may be easier to get to the campsite by continuing on the Maah-Daah-Hey into section 3. The trail winds east, and is only 2 miles from the Bennett campground at the closest point.
Riding north on the MDH from the gravel/scoria oil well road -
Section 34
A steep switchbacked climb from the road on a trail composed largely of bentonite clay. Don't even think about riding this portion of the trail if it has rained. The climb ends on a plateau.
Section 27
An enjoyable, fast, high, scenic ride north with some easy uphills and downhills.
Section 22
Generally easy downhill north toward the Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) North Unit boundary, with one technical downhill portion. Don't miss the fantastic petrified stump toward the end of this section. This is probably the choicest portion of this ride. Take some pictures. It ends in a large valley at the high park fence.
Section 15
Cross the high fence into the TRNP North Unit at the gate. Remember to close and chain the gate so the bison won't invade the neighbors. Bikes are not allowed on the trail as it passes through Theodore Roosevelt National Park. They may not be ridden or carried. Also, a park entrance fee must be paid at either the South Unit or North Unit visitor center prior to entrance. The Park Service makes it easy, right? Plod north through the sagebrush until you find the artfully hidden Achenbach hiking trail. If you are coming from the north (coming from the CCC camp), be aware that the intersection where the M-D-H leaves the Achenbach trail is very difficult to find. You will need to watch for trail markers on distant hills, consult the map carefully, and watch for the large gate at the south border of the Park fence. If you are traveling from the south to the CCC camp, follow the flat, level trail east on the south side of Corral Creek. If it has rained recently, you will probably not enjoy this walk through the slimy clay. However, the view from the valley to the badland breaks on all sides is wonderful.
Section 14
Continue plodding east along the creek to the gate at the southeast corner of the section. This portion of the trail is flat, and very muddy if there has been a recent rain. Leave the North Unit of the park, and be prepared to climb.
Section 24
Follow the trail east a short distance up the drainage, and watch carefully for the trail to veer southeast at a poorly marked location. Once you turn southeast, the trail climbs steeply up a draw and near the top runs parallel to a road. This is a steep, long climb, which ends high on a flat plateau. Drink a lot of water.
Section 19
Continue east on this easy, relatively flat ride on the plateau, roughly following a section line. Cross at the gate at the east section line near the intersection between section 18 and section 19.
Section 17
Continue east on this easy, relatively flat ride across the plateau, crossing the Long X Divide dirt road. Continue through a gentle forested draw, watching out for low overhanging limbs, and climb out of the draw parallel to a dirt road on the plateau. Follow this road.
Section 16
Continue northeast, riding easy parallel to the dirt road over a gentle climb on the plateau.
Section 15
Continue east, riding easy on the level plateau parallel to the dirt road. Find the gate on the southeast corner of this section.
Section 10
Ride east a short distance, then follow the trail as it turns north. Enjoy the very steep, very technical switchbacked downhill as you drop of the plateau into a large drainage. At the bottom of the first steep drop, the downhill continues, but is more gradual. There are two steep downhill/uphill creek crossings near the north end of this section, but the ride is generally downhill throughout.
Section 3
The trail continues north, generally relatively easy and downhill throughout this section. It ends at the north end of the MDH trail at the CCC campground just north of this section. Enjoy the cold water at the hand pump in the CCC camp. The recently remodeled CCC campground is a favorite for those launching their Maah-Daah-Hey trip from the North trailhead. The campground has three loops, contains 38 sites, a parking area, and a short trail just to the south of the campground.
To get to highway 85 - Drive about 1-1/2 miles east on the gravel road which leads to highway 85 from the CCC camp. At the highway, you will be at the Long X Bridge at the Little Missouri River.
[ Area 2 | Area 3 | Area 4 | Area 5 | Area 6 | Area 7 ]
[ Area 8 | Area 9 | Maah-Daah-Hey ]
Click here for fine art photography of the North Dakota badlands and the Maah-Daah-Hey area.