Icelandic State Park - Trails

Icelandic has nearly four miles of trails that wind through the park and the historic 200-acre Gunlogson Nature Preserve. The majority of this four-mile trail system is groomed and open in the winter for cross-country skiing.

Hillman Trail

Distance: 0.7 miles
Open to: hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing

The Hillman Trailhead is located across from the Primitive Campground. This 0.7-mile trail loops through a grove of evergreen trees and connects to the Bluebird trail. It is open to hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Bluebird Trail

Distance: 0.5 miles
Open to: hiking, cross-country skiing

The Bluebird Trail connects to the Hillman Trail and takes you down along the banks of the Tongue River, to the Gunlogson Nature Preserve. Bluebird boxes line the trail and provided shelter for nesting Eastern Bluebirds and Tree Swallows. Keep your eye out for River Otter catching fish along the spillway and Great Blue Heron on the riverbank. This trail is open to hiking and is groomed for cross-country skiing in the winter.

Old Settlers Trail

Distance: 1.5 miles
Open to: hiking, cross-country skiing

The Old Settlers Trail loops through the woodlands of the Gunlogson Nature Preserve and connects to the Bluebird and Basswood Trails. It is open to hiking and is groomed for cross-country skiing in the winter.

Basswood Trail

Distance: 0.3 miles
Open to: hiking, cross-country skiing

The Basswood Trail is accessed through the Old Settlers and Wildwood Trails. The trail leads you through the native woodlands on the banks of the Tongue River. A bridge that crosses the Tongue River connects the Basswood and Wildwood Trails. If you are lucky, you may spot a River Otter or Beaver in the water below. This trail is open to hiking and is groomed for cross-country skiing in the winter.  

Wildwood Trail

Distance: 0.5 miles
Open to: hiking, cross-country skiing

The Wildwood Trailhead is located near the Gunlogson barn. It connects to the Shady Springs Trail and leads you to the bridge that crosses the Tongue River, connecting to the Basswood Trail. This interpretive trail guides you through the Gunlogson Nature Preserve; North Dakota’s first designated nature preserve. Footbridges take you over the streams and springs scattered throughout the preserve. Along the trail, you will find many native plants including scouring rush and several species of ferns. Interpretive brochures are located at the trailhead or at the Pioneer Heritage Center.

Shady Springs Trail

Distance: 0.3 miles
Open to: hiking

The Shady Springs Trail can be accessed on the north side of the Gunlogson Barn or the Akra Hall and connects to the Wildwood Trail. This trail includes footbridges that take you over the natural springs and wetlands. Many native plants and wildflowers can be seen along the trail including the Marsh Marigold. This trail is open to hiking.

Cavlandic Trail

Distance: 6.5 miles
Open to: hiking, biking

The Cavlandic trail runs from the city of Cavalier to Icelandic State Park. The trail is 6.5 miles one way and provides users access to a number of amenities in the city of Cavalier.