Missouri River Natural Area & Trailhead
This area is locally known as “The Car Bodies”. This 157-acre natural area is owned by the North Dakota Department of Transportation. The natural area is managed by North Dakota Parks and Recreation, Morton County Parks Department, and City of Mandan. The natural area has been set aside to protect and preserve the area as a natural resource and provide a natural setting for the enjoyment of nature in close proximity to urban development. The natural area provides visitors with the unique opportunity for hiking and exploring the Missouri River floodplain forest.
The Missouri River ecosystem is a unique and important natural resource. The floodplain woodland found in this natural area is increasingly rare in North Dakota and throughout the region. The riparian woodland is dominated by deciduous trees. In the absence of regular flooding, this forest has undergone succession to represent a mature and over-mature forest.
There are over four miles of hiking trails in the natural area that are open year-round. Enjoy the beauty of the natural area as you wander along the scenic Missouri River shoreline, hike under the towering cottonwoods, and explore picturesque riparian woodlands.
The diversity of plant communities found within the natural area and in adjacent areas provide for a wide range of wildlife viewing opportunities. One should keep a keen eye out on the river sandbars and islands for threatened and endangered species such as the piping plover, least tern, and migrating whopping cranes. The sandbars and islands also provide habitat for bald eagles, owls, woodpeckers, wild turkeys, fox, beaver, raccoon, and squirrels. Song birds are plentiful. White-tailed deer, Canada geese, and ducks are common. Wildflowers can be found blooming in the early spring and summer.
The Missouri River, “The Big Muddy”, provides home for the vast number of fish including rare fish species such as pallid sturgeon, blue sucker, sicklefin, and sturgeon chubs.
AMENITIES
- I-94, Exit 153 in Mandan. Located near the intersection of Division Street NE, Missouri Drive NE, and River Drive NE
- This area is locally known as “The Car Bodies”
- Public Fishing Area with Missouri River Access
- Gravel Parking Lot
- Hiking and Biking Trails
- Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing Ares
- No Camping
- No Campfires
