Lostwood Refuge - Prairie Hiking Trail

Pack up your pup and head to northwestern North Dakota for a great hike in the town of Vanville. Here you will find the Lostwood Refuge Prairie Hiking Trail, located in the Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge. 

This hiking trail is perfect for most pup-abilities and offers a fantastic hike along gravel roads for the first three miles, as well as additional off-road time through prairie grasses for the remaining 4 miles of the hike. You can expect a 1% grade, with steeper portions averaging in at about 7%. Most pups will love the varied terrain. In the more populated locations near the visitor’s center, it is advised to keep them leashed, however, there are many places throughout this hike that Fido will not need to remain on leash and can explore on their own.

Lostwood Trail will offer you and your pawtastic pup plenty of bird-watching opportunities, so be sure to pack a pair of binoculars and a camera. Selfies are a must with your pup here! The refuge is home to over 200 different bird species which live in a diverse landscape of wetlands and open, grassy land. 

You will be sure to enjoy yourselves from May to September, a perfect season for hiking where weather is sure to cooperate. It is advised to bring insect repellant for those pesky critters during the early evening hours. Hiking can sure make pup thirsty, so carry plenty of water to share. 

There are restrooms and drinking fountains, which are appreciated amenities, and the trail is very well marked with directional signs throughout its length. Telephones can be found in the visitor’s center which is pup-friendly, as long as Fido remains on leash.

Look no further than the Lostwood Refuge Prairie Hiking Trail for some pawtastic hiking adventures in North Dakota!