Event Title: 12 Months/12 Hikes – Cross Ranch
Event Description:
Let's meet for a ❄️Winter Hike❄️ and some GeoChatting!
When: Saturday 14th of February @ 10:00am
Where: Cross Ranch State Park - Matah Trail 3.1 miles
Why: For the sixth year, the North Dakota Park & Recreation Department (NDPRD) has issued a statewide “2026 Hiking Challenge” with a fresh hiking challenge every season of 2026. To participate, just pick and hike a qualifying trail in one of the 14 state parks. You can complete your hikes all in one park or explore any of 14 locations across the state.
The North Dakota Geocaching Association (NDGCA) would like to help everyone complete their hiking challenge. To do this, we will be hosting an event in a different state park each month, so we can get together with other geocachers and hike.
What: We love hiking in the state parks. We will meet at the trailhead sign right off the parking lot near the visitor center. We will wait about 10 minutes before starting the hike in case anyone is running late. Winter weather in North Dakota can be less that idea, so dress warmly and wear sturdy shoes/boot. Trail could be snow/ice covered. We will hike a loop on the Matah Trail and can shorted the hike depending on the weather. Snowshoes or cross country skies maybe helpful. If you dont have any and want to give them a try, the park does have rentals. This hike will help with your Winter Season Hikes and we will hopefully see some Wildlife Tracks.
Afterworks feel free to hang out at the park it is their Winterfest - Cabin Fever day. They have activites going on from 11am-2pm to help shake off the winter blues and cure your cabin fever. For more infmoraiotn about their event check there website & facebook page. Some of the family friendly fun will include ways to explorer outdoors or warm up indoors with hands-on experiences.
Reminders: A daily pass ($7) or annual ND state park pass ($35) is required to enter. Dress for the weather/trails
For more info on the 2026 Hiking Challenge visit: https://www.parkrec.nd.gov/challenges