MIDDLE SHEYENNE VALLEY
Pekin - Lisbon, ND
Nelson, Griggs, Steele, Barnes and Ransom Counties
138.2 mi total 2.5 (+1.0) certified 0.0 connecting 0.0 marked 135.7 bare
In reality, this section is just as much a transit roadwalk as the previous section, but a rather more pleasant one. The middle Sheyenne Valley is generally a mile or two wide, and a couple of hundred feet deep, moderately wooded -- in places with the last significant stands of American Elm -- and somewhat more scenic because of it. Concerns about water are pretty much over with; since leaving the Sheyenne River in Lonetree Wildlife Management Area, the river has grown to the point where it generally has water in it in the north part, and, by the south part, it has become a fairly substantial stream. However, in a couple of places the route climbs up out of the valley onto the prairie, where a little more water planning is required; the longest stretch without water within a mile is about 8 miles. There are only short patches of established trail, but much of the distance continues to be on quiet country roads, sometimes reaching toward the two-rut stage. The camping situation eases somewhat after reaching the middle part of Lake Ashtabula; campgrounds exist, although widely spaced, clear to Fort Ransom. Services are scattered north of Valley City, but reasonably spaced south. Overall, this is probably the most pleasant long-distance walk on the North Country Trail west of Minnesota's Chippewa National Forest.
0.0 (0.0) INTERSECTION SOUTH OF SHEYENNE RIVER ON SR1
The route follows the paved SR1 north for 0.7 miles and climbs up out of the valley before reaching the intersection of a gravel road heading south. The village of Pekin is 1.5 miles north, then 0.7 miles east.
PEKIN, ND 58361 (Pop. 120). Limited services.
0.7 (0.7) TURN SOUTH ON UNNAMED GRAVEL ROAD
After a short distance, the road bends to the east, and continues a mile to the east, where it intersects with an unnamed north-south gravel road.
1.9 (1.2) TURN SOUTH ON UNNAMED GRAVEL ROAD
The route heads south, and descends back into the valley, reaching the intersection with an unnamed gravel road after 0.6 mi.
2.5 (0.6) TURN EAST ON UNNAMED GRAVEL ROAD
The road gradually bends to the southeast, following the edge of the valley wall. After 2.9 miles, CR18 intersects from the west; 0.2 farther, it leaves to the northeast. 1.6 mile farther, CR22 crosses. After another mile, the road bends to the east, and continues for another mile to CR 35.
9.5 (7.0) TURN SOUTH ON CR 35
CR 35 is followed south for 0.3 miles, reaching an intersection leading to the east. McVille ND, is 2.7 miles north.
MCVILLE, ND, 58254 (Pop. 563). General store, restaurant.
9.8 (0.3) TURN EAST ON UNNAMED ROAD
This is probably the most primitive road in the section, getting down to two-rut level. It starts out to the east, but bends to the southeast before reaching CR 30 after 3.1 miles.
12.9 (3.1) TURN EAST ON CR20
CR 20 is followed east for 0.2 miles, until reaching the intersection of a gravel road leading to the southeast.
13.1 (0.2) TURN SOUTHEAST ON UNNAMED ROAD
The unnamed gravel road starts out to the southeast, then swings to the south, passes an intersection after 1.2 miles, entering Griggs County, and reaches CR 2 after two more miles.
16.3 (3.2) TURN WEST ON CR2
CR2 is followed west for 0.2 miles until reaching an unnamed road leading to the south.
16.5 (0.2) TURN SOUTH ON UNNAMED ROAD
The unnamed gravel road heads south for 3.2 miles, until reaching an intersection with CR17. A country church stands near the intersection.
19.7 (3.2) TURN EAST ON CR17
CR17 turns to the north after one mile, but the route continues east for another 3.0 miles, until reaching an intersection of gravel roads just behind a curve of SR45.
23.7 (4.0) TURN SOUTH ON SR45
Gravel continues for about 0.1 mile before SR45 is actually joined. Follow the paved road south for four miles, until it bends to the west. Halfway around the curve, CR 10 leaves to the southeast.
27.8 (4.1) TURN SOUTHEAST ON CR 10
After about 0.1 miles, CR10 bends to the south; after another half mile, it bends to the east.
28.4 (0.6) TURN EAST ON CR 10
CR10 is followed to the east for about 2 miles; it then bends to the south for half a mile, then joins CR23.
30.9 (2.5) CONTINUE SOUTH ON CR23
The road continues south-southwesterly through the valley for 6.7 miles, passing several intersections before reaching SR200. After about half a mile, the route enters Steele County for a short distance, but re-enters Griggs County after a short distance.
37.6 (6.7) TURN WEST ON SR 200
Paved SR200 is followed to the west for 1.7 miles. Cooperstown ND is another 3.5 miles west on SR200.
COOPERSTOWN ND 58425 (Pop. 1308) Griggs County seat. Restaurant, hardware, convenience store, grocery.
39.3 (1.7) TURN SOUTH ON CR21
The broad graveled CR21 is followed south for 5.3 miles, to an intersection just short of crossing the Sheyenne River. A youth camp is located just north of the intersection, and might have camping potential.
44.6 TURN EAST ON UNNAMED ROAD
The narrow gravel road is followed east for two miles before bending to the south. After another 0.8 miles, it bends back to the east for about 0.6 miles, then south for about 0.2 miles, then east for 0.5 miles, then bends to the south, passing an intersection. After about 0.8 miles, it bends southeast, then 0.3 miles further, to the east, and continues east for 1.3 miles until reaching CR25, entering Steele County on the way.
51.1 (6.5) TURN SOUTH ON CR25
Paved CR25 is followed south for 6.1 miles, (passing CR5 after one mile, and CR 26 after another) until reaching the town of Luverne.
LUVERNE ND 58056 (Pop. 65) Bar, small general store, B&B.
57.6 (6.1) CONTINUE SOUTH ON CR25
After another 3.0 miles (entering Barnes County after one mile), reach SR26. The village of Sibley is about 1.5 miles to the west, on the far side of Lake Ashtabula.
LAKE ASHTABULA is a Corps of Engineers lake, dammed up in the Sheyenne Valley. The lake has a very narrow patch of public land on either side, so narrow that the public land has eroded away in spots. There is the possibility of trail development, but not probably any time soon. It's anticipated that the trail will follow the east side of the lake from CR26 to SR26, then the west side to Ashtabula Crossing, then come back to the east side to Baldhill Dam. The lake has several recreation areas with various facilities such as campgrounds, beaches and boat ramps. For more information, contact US Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Ashtabula (Baldhill Dam), St. Paul District, North Central Division, RFD1, Valley City ND 58072.
SIBLEY, ND 58429 (Pop. 21) Small general store, motel; boat launch, picnic area and rest rooms.
60.6 (3.0) CONTINUE SOUTH ON CR25
CR 25 turns back to gravel; it's followed south for 4.0 miles until reaching paved CR6.
64.6 (4.0) TURN WEST ON CR6
CR6 is followed west for 3.2 miles until reaching CR21. Ashtabula Crossing is about 1.0 miles north. Motel, small grocery store, restaurant The east campground has a campground, beach, showers, and concessions; Chet Fromm, 1995 long-distance hiker, speaks highly of it. The west campground also has camping and rest rooms.
67.8 (3.2) TURN SOUTH ON CR 21
Paved CR21 is followed south. After 3.6 miles, reach side road to Eggert's Landing, 0.5 mi. west. Eggerts has camping, restrooms and concessions. The route continues south for another 3.7 miles, reaching gravel CH17; there is a sign at the corner for Sundstrom's Landing and Reiman Landing.
75.4 (7.6) TURN WEST ON CR17
After 2.1 miles, a side road leads to the north 2.2 miles to Sundstrom's Landing. Rest rooms, boat launch, no campground. The route continues west for another 1.2 miles, reaching Mal Reiman Park at Baldhill Dam. Camping, boat launch, swimming, showers, ranger station, concessions. Also a nice place for a stop.
76.6 (1.2) CAMPGROUND AT MAL REIMAN RECREATION AREA
County officials have considered a paved bike route on a separate treadway down the Sheyenne Valley between Baldhill Dam and Valley City, but the project appears to be in limbo. Continue southwest past Baldhill Dam on CR17. After about a mile, CR19 joins from the north. The road bends around to the south, then southeast, following the river valley. After another 3.3 miles, CR17 turns off to the west; continue southeast on CR19, now sharing the valley with a railroad track. After another 5.6 miles, reach CR21.
86.5 (9.9) TURN SOUTH ON CR21
Just south of the intersection, pass under a high-level railroad bridge carrying the Burlington Northern RR across the valley. Just past the bridge, enter Valley City; CR21 becomes 5th Ave. NE. Continue south about one mile to Third St. NE A campground, Valley City Tourist Park, is one block to the east.
VALLEY CITY, ND 58072 (Pop 7200) is the largest city the trail encounters in North Dakota, and, for the hiker, is good for long-term resupply and a town day or two. Home to Valley City State University, it has appeared on several "best places to live" lists, and is home to the North Dakota "Winter Show", a sort of indoor state fair, geared to livestock exhibitions. The town has a wide range of services. Motels: Flickertail, (701) 845-5278, I94 & CR21; Prairie Inn, 140 3rd Ave. SE (701) 845-1560; Americinn, 280 Wintershow Road (701) 845-5551; more near I-94 exit to the west of town, and the east I-94 exit. Large, full service groceries, plus convenience stores, several restaurants, laundromat, hardware, drug store bank, department store, and other services.
88.0 (1.5) TURN WEST ON 3RD STREET NE
Follow 3rd St. NE west for 5 blocks (about 0.5 mi.), then turn south on Central Avenue (Main Street, with more services, is parallel a block to the south). Four blocks (about 0.3 mi.) south, the streat ends at 4th St. SW, where there is an ornate suspension bridge carrying a walkway across the river to Valley City State University. Follow sidewalks (no trail route marked) south through Valley City State, until reaching Winter Show Road, and turn west until reaching 8th Ave. SW near the I-94 underpass.
88.7 (0.7) TURN SOUTH ON 8TH AVE. SW (CR21)
After the underpass, a paved bike trail parallels the road on the west side for 0.8 miles; then the roadwalk returns to the paved CR21 (Sheyenne River Road) south to Kathryn. This road was once listed by National Geographic as one of America's top 200 scenic drives, and is a pleasant walk; traffic is not heavy. A snowmobile trail also exists down the valley, mostly on the west side of the river, but is not usable all the way in the summer due to cropped land crossings and wet areas, but the snowmobile trail in the future might serve as an uncertifiable trail route. The road crosses the Sheyenne River a couple of times, but there's nothing to speak of in the way of services until reaching Kathryn.
KATHRYN, ND 58049 (Pop 105), Bar, restaurant. Clausen Springs park, with camping and other facilities, is about 4 miles west, but about 6 miles by road, as it is only easily reachable from the west.
104.5 (15.8) TURN SE ON CR38
Gravel CR38 goes through the town of Kathryn, jogging around a little, then turns east. After about 2 miles, cross the Sheyenne River. 0.3 miles later, reach a gravel road leading southeast.
106.8 (2.3) TURN SE ON UNNAMED ROAD
The unnamed gravel road starts out to the southeast, bends to the south, then to the southwest, before arriving at SR46, which is the Ransom County line.
LITTLE YELLOWSTONE PARK is about 1.2 miles west on SR46. Camping, picnic facilities, pit toilets.
110.2 (3.4) CONTINUE SOUTH ON CR13
The gravel road, now CR13, continues southeast, bends to the south, then to the southwest for 5.4 miles before CR2 joins.
115.6 (5.4) TURN SOUTHEAST ON CR2/CR13
Follow the joint CR2/CR13 southeast for 0.3 miles until CR2 leaves to the east, and CR13 makes a sharp turn back to the southwest. After about another mile, a private footbridge, hard to see from the road, crosses the river. If this bridge is missed, continue SE on CR13 until reaching Ft. Ransom SP.
116.9 (1.3) CROSS BRIDGE TO CERTIFIED TRAIL
Across the bridge -- privately owned, but permission has been given to use it for foot access to the trail, according to Ft. Ransom SP officials -- certified trail picks up. The trail on the west side of the river crosses private property for about a mile, then enters Ft. Ransom State Park, where the trail continues for another 1.5 miles, closely following the river and passing the park headquatters, ending at a campground adjoining the park.
FT. RANSOM SP has campgrounds, and toilets. Located where the Sheyenne Valley is at its deepest, the park's centerpiece is the Sunne Demonstration Farm, showing how farming was done in North Dakota in horse drawn days. For more information, contact Ft. Ransom St. Park, Box 67, Ft. Ransom ND 58033 (701) 973-4331.
119.4 (2.5) TURN SOUTH ON MAIN STREET
The road leads south from the campground, passing a ski area -- the valley is that deep -- and continues south into the town of Fort Ransom. In the town, near the historical museum, a paved road joins from the west, continue to the southeast, following the road around to the east, until rejoining CR13 east of town.
FORT RANSOM ND, 58033 (Pop. 95) is something of a tourist town, given the proximity of the park and ski area. Nestled in the side of the valley, it's reminiscent of a small eastern hill town; a segment of the 1991 NCTA Annual Meeting was held here. Restaurant, convenience stores.
121.1 (1.7) TURN SOUTHEAST ON CR13
On the hill overlooking the intersection is a large Viking statue, a tribute to the Scandanavians that settled this area more than a century ago. The route leads southeast on the gravel CR13. 2.4 miles east, a small gravel road leads south half a mile, then east half a mile to the 508 acre Sheyenne State Forest (yes, North Dakota does have one), site of the first mile of NCNST to be certified in North Dakota. However, this mile of trail is isolated and not near the roadwalk, but could be part of the route in the future. However, this suggested route avoids the trail in the Sheyenne SF, and continues east on CR13, following the north side of the river another 13.2 miles to SR32.
137.7 (15.6) TURN SOUTH ON SR32
Follow SR32 south 0.5 miles to the intersection of SR27 in Lisbon, ND.
138.2 (0.5) REACH SR32
Segment ends at this point.
LISBON, ND 58054 (Pop. 2283) is the last good place to resupply before eastern North Dakota and entering Minnesota. Full-service grocery, restaurants, convenience store, drug store, hardware store, bank.