Maah-Daah-Hey Trail - Area 2


 Trail descriptions are not to be copied with intention to republish without prior permission. WestDakota is not responsible for errors or omissions. These trails are sometimes difficult to follow and are always dangerous, and riders must be aware that they alone are responsible for their own safety.



Click here to see a topographic version of this map with GPS waypoints (262 KB).

Click here to see a profile of area 2 (41 KB).

Click here to see a bird's eye view of area 2 (63 KB - Vertical Scale Exaggerated 8X).

Waypoint Name Latitude Longitude Bearing (Deg) Distance to point (ft) Total Distance (ft)
A2-1-P 47 deg 25 min 11 sec N 103 deg 21 min 54 sec W 0 0 0
A2-2-P 47 deg 25 min 29 sec N 103 deg 22 min 2 sec W 343.2 1,961 1,961
A2-3-P 47 deg 25 min 44 sec N 103 deg 21 min 41 sec W 45.1 2,128 4,089
A2-4-P 47 deg 26 min 1 sec N 103 deg 21 min 35 sec W 12.6 1,732 5,821
A2-5-P 47 deg 26 min 3 sec N 103 deg 21 min 21 sec W 78.7 961 6,782
A2-6-P 47 deg 26 min 40 sec N 103 deg 21 min 23 sec W 358.2 3,844 10,626
A2-7-P 47 deg 27 min 8 sec N 103 deg 21 min 56 sec W 320.8 3,553 14,178
A2-8-P 47 deg 27 min 35 sec N 103 deg 22 min 1 sec W 352.9 2,776 16,954
A2-9-P 47 deg 28 min 26 sec N 103 deg 22 min 48 sec W 327.6 6,118 23,073
A2-10- 47 deg 28 min 26 sec N 103 deg 22 min 59 sec W 270 690 23,762
A2-11- 47 deg 28 min 47 sec N 103 deg 22 min 51 sec W 13.6 2,170 25,932
A2-12- 47 deg 29 min 2 sec N 103 deg 23 min 6 sec W 326.2 1,864 27,796
A2-13- 47 deg 29 min 35 sec N 103 deg 23 min 30 sec W 333.7 3,698 31,494
A2-14- 47 deg 29 min 31 sec N 103 deg 24 min 12 sec W 262.6 2,939 34,433
A2-15- 47 deg 29 min 20 sec N 103 deg 24 min 37 sec W 237.4 1,959 36,392
A2-16- 47 deg 29 min 38 sec N 103 deg 24 min 37 sec W 0 1,761 38,152
A2-17- 47 deg 29 min 45 sec N 103 deg 24 min 28 sec W 40 919 39,071
A2-18- 47 deg 29 min 54 sec N 103 deg 24 min 38 sec W 323 1,175 40,246
A2-19- 47 deg 30 min 7 sec N 103 deg 24 min 42 sec W 349.6 1,313 41,559
A2-20- 47 deg 30 min 22 sec N 103 deg 24 min 30 sec W 28.4 1,734 43,293


Easy GPS is a freeware GPS file transfer program offered by TopoGrafix. Get your copy here!

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 9 miles with 2-3 hours of actual riding time. Allow 5-6 hours for the complete ride.

To get to the start point - From Highway 85 at Grassy Butte, drive approximately 6 miles west on the Beicegel Creek Road. The MDH crosses this road near the center of section 36.

Riding north from the Beicegel Creek Road -

Section 36
Begins with a short gradual climb from the highway, then a short easy downhill into a valley. A short ride in the valley follows, then another climb to the east to a plateau. Leave section 36 riding north on the level plateau near the section line.

Section 25
Continue the easy, level ride north near the section line on the plateau.

Section 24
Continue the easy, level ride north and west on the plateau. At the north end of this section the trail drops into a steep, technical downhill, which ends in a wide creek valley.

Section 13
Continue riding north in the valley on the west side of Cottonwood Creek. This portion of the ride is relatively level, but does have a few small uphills and downhills. Watch for washouts on the trail.

Section 14
The trail continues northwest through the corner of this section.

Section 11
The trail crosses tributaries of Cottonwood Creek at the beginning and end of this section, with a steep downhill/uphill at both crossings. Through the remainder of this section, the trail continues in the valley on the west side of Cottonwood Creek.

Section 2
Continue parallel to the creek northwest in the valley.

Section 3
Starts with an easy ride west in a valley, then turn north for a steep, switchbacked climb ending on a rough, scenic ridge. Drink a lot of water and take some pictures. Look for some interesting erosion sculptures near the end of this section and the beginning of the next. This is the china wall area. Notice the "rocklady".

Section 34
Continue riding north and east through this beautiful and relatively flat part of the trail, and meet with a gravel/scoria oil well road in the center of this section. Watch out for the numerous cacti near the trail right after you make the easy creek crossing toward the center of the section. You will meet the road just to the east of the oil well in the valley.

The Bennett Campground is located about 4 curvy miles east then 1 mile southwest of the trail intersection with the road, if you follow the road. As you follow the road east, 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.

To get to Highway 85 from the trail intersection - Drive about 2 miles east and north on the gravel/scoria oil well road up the steep valley until it intersects the winding gravel road which leads to highway 85. Watch for washouts on this road. Once on the gravel, drive generally east about 6-1/2 miles to highway 85. Once on the highway, you will be about 7 miles north of Grassy Butte and 6-1/2 miles south of the Long X Bridge at the Little Missouri River.

[ Area 1 | 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.