Trail Run Project Logo

This scenic loop is a birder's delight through upland grasslands and cottonwood forest along the Missouri River.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

4.3

Miles

7.0

KM

99%

Runnable

1,698' 518 m

High

1,654' 504 m

Low

152' 46 m

Up

151' 46 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (1°)

9%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

This is an easy loop that includes upland grasslands and cottonwood forest along the Missouri River. The uplands area has prairie grasses, wildflowers, and birds. The east side of the loop follows the Missouri River, where it is likely to see ducks and geese and an occasional bald eagle.

Need to Know

There is a small water crossing that can easily be rund across.

Ticks can be particularly bad in Cross Ranch State Park, particularly from April through June. To achieve heightened protection, tuck your pants into your socks, your shirt into your pants, and wear plenty of repellant.

Description

From the main parking lot near the Visitor Center, take the Interpretive Trail south past the park amphitheater. Near where the trail loops back north, take a connector trail approximately 0.1 mile south to the Ma-ak-oti Trail Upper Loop. Take the east or right side of the loop to experience a riparian environment.

When the trail loops back north, instead of going north, continue south on a connector trail approximately 0.2 miles to the Ma-ak-oti Trail Lower Loop. Take the east or runner's left side of the loop. When the trail loops back north, it will follow grasslands and offer fantastic wildlife viewing.

Follow the east side of the Ma-ak-oti Trail Lower Loop back to a connector trail, then onto the Ma-ak-oti Trail Upper Loop. Take the left or west side of the loop to continue through upland grasslands. When the Ma-ak-oti Trail Upper Loop ends at the connector trail, continue 0.1 mile to the Interpretive Trail back to the parking lot.

Flora & Fauna

White-tailed deer, pheasants, bald eagles, giant Canada goose, mallard ducks, cottonwood, ash, prairie grasses, other birds, and flowers are abundant in this area.

History & Background

This is one of the last fairly undeveloped stretches of the Missouri River. The park is left mostly primitive to preserve a part of the Missouri River Valley and cottonwood forest.

Contacts

Shared By:

Karen Ryberg

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#5193

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
5 Star
0%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
100%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#22

in North Dakota

#5,193

Overall
2 Views Last Month
180 Since May 6, 2017
Easy Easy

100%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

Winter breathes new life into the Cross Ranch State Park Interpretive Trail.
May 6, 2017 near Washburn, ND
Navigate this small water crossing along the Ma-ak-oti Trail Loop.
May 6, 2017 near Washburn, ND
The Ma-ak-oti Trail Loop follows along the Missouri River.
May 6, 2017 near Washburn, ND

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.