National Trails Day Hike to Pigeon Point

National Trails Day Hike, June 6 th , 2026, Meet at the Middle trailhead of the Sheyenne
National Grasslands at 9:45 am, we will shuttle participants back to their vehicle at the
end of the hike.
This year the DPC hike for National Trails Day will take place in the Sheyenne National
Grasslands and Pigeon Point Preserve, often referred to as prairie. It began to develop
in North Dakota as the climate became drier about 5 to 10 million years ago.
Grasslands and other kinds of vegetation were obliterated as the glaciers advanced.
However, many of the species survived just beyond the ice sheet and new grasslands
developed during the next interglacial period. About 10,000 years ago, the prairie
ecosystem formed fertile soils that are extremely important for the region today.
We will hike about 3 miles on the NCT in the SNG, take the spur trail for about one-half
mile, and continue to hike about 2 more miles in Pigeon Point Preserve. This is a
beautiful area which has a large amount of history behind it. Since it's right on the “Low
water crossing” of the Sheyenne River, wagon trains, the Pony Express, the Military,
and many more used this point to cross the Sheyenne River.
We hope to see you to celebrate National Trails Day!