The Maah Daah Hey Trail Association (MDHTA), founded in 2000, is a non-profit 501(c )(3) organization to provide and maintain a linear, non-motorized, sustainable recreational trail system in southwest North Dakota through voluntary and public involvement, and in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service.
The trail had over 35,000 trail users in 2022 based on trail registers and trail counter data. About 55% originated from out of state with 70% of the users on foot, 24% on bike and 6% on horse.
The trail name, Maah Daah Hey, was the name given the trail by Gerard Baker of the Mandan Hidatsa. The name means grandfather or has been here for a very long time. The turtle figure for the trail, adopted from the Lakota Sioux Indians, symbolizes patience, protection, loyalty, determination, steadfastness, long-life and fortitude and is emblazoned on the posts and signs that mark the trail.
During the 25 years since the Association’s birth, MDHTA has participated in developing the trail’s infrastructure, promotion and maintenance. The Association has done this through memberships, donations, grants, and the sale of merchandise along with working cooperatively with the US Forest Service, National Park Service, North Dakota Department of Parks and Recreation, numerous groups and private landowners through the badlands where the trail crosses. It is easy to forget what the Association has done over the 25-year period of time to make the trail a reality as well as a National Recreation Trail. Below is a partial list of what the Association has accomplished.
- Elkhorn campground water well – MDHTA contracted and paid approximately $27,000, with some shared money from the National Park Service, about $5,000 with the rest of the dollars raised by merchandize sales, fund raisers, and donations to MDHTA.
- Recreational Trail Program (RTP) – supplied the 5% share of private funding for US Forest Service RTP grants. The value of these grants very from $100,000 to $150,000 annually over the past 22 years. The supplied share of funding from MDHTA of $5,000 to $10,000 annually has been in the form of volunteer labor, primarily provided during National Trails Day. In addition to volunteer labor the Association also has purchased materials such as gravel, grass seed to revegetate casual trails, rented equipment. Given the Association has been doing this for twenty-five years the contribution from MDHTA is over $250,000.
- US Forest Service inspections – MDHTA donated the inspection service of about 10 person days on one RTP contract (Hanley surfacing).
- Water Cache Boxes – MDHTA purchased and installed eight water cache boxes along the driest parts of the MDHT. Each water box cost about $800. Water cache boxes were installed with volunteer labor using donated prefab concreate slabs. Water cache boxes are cleaned in the spring and again in the fall using two volunteer days each time.
- Trailhead benches – MDHTA purchased and installed eight benches at MDH trailheads at $600 each through generous donations and fundraisers.
- Tree Trimming Parties – Over the years MDHTA volunteers have trimmed and cleared brush on more than 40 miles of trail.
- Sign Hanging Parties – MDHTA volunteers along with the help of the US Forest Service has hung turtle signs on all 144 miles of the MDHT.
- Trail Gate Maintenance – Over the years MDHTA has repaired and maintained over a dozen self-closing gates on the MDHT.
- Trail Post Markers – Ten MDHTA volunteers spent two days ferrying trail maker posts across the Little Missouri River to the MDHT and then installing these posts by hand in the Wilderness designated area of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park – South Unit. MDHT volunteers also provided time in replacing posts along burned areas of the trail near Medora.
- Mark Creek Crossings – MDHTA provided adequate marking of the creek crossing on Knudson Creek on the Buffalo Gap Trail, a part of the MDHT system.
- Second Creek Crossing – MDHTA, US Forest Service and Save the MDH joined forces to construct a boardwalk and puncheon over 2nd Creek near Burning Coal Vein.
- Trai Bridge Maintenance – Repaired Magpie bridge abutment twice – 11 person days plus equipment time donate by MDHTA members.
- Trails Day, Grand Opening, and Anniversary Celebrations – MDHTA organizes and has held National Trail Day annually since 2000.
- Trail Promotion – MDHTA volunteers have participated in sport shows in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
- ND Outdoors Day – MDHTA volunteers have participated at this event held at the Capital for several years.
- MDHT Challenge – MDHTA sponsors the MDHT Challenge which provides patches to trail users for completing various mileage challenges along the MDHT system.
- Website – MDHTA sponsored the development of the MDHTA.COM website. The site provides an interactive map of the trail system, downloadable GPX map files, current trail news, and a store. The interactive map was update in fall, 2025.
- Facebook Page – MDHTA also maintains a Facebook page for the trail.
- MDHTA has hosted bicycle and hiking outings to introduce people to the MDH and develop trail skills.
- US FS and MDHTA Meeting – These meetings held usually twice per year, takes about five volunteer person days, usually board members, to coordinate trail maintenance and infrastructure activities.
- Volunteers answer about two phone calls or emails per week about the trail and trail conditions.
- Volunteers fill orders for MDH trail merchandise. The big item is trail maps.
- MDHTA annually sponsors the free “MDH Trail Information Guide” brochure.
Will you please join us. We are stronger with you. Become a member today!
