08.22.23

Hoeven Discusses Efforts to Enhance Maah Daah Hey Trail, Secures USFS Deputy Chief Commitment to Work with Local Leaders

Senator Working with County Officials & Local Business Leaders to Add Needed Facilities to Trailhead, Build Upon $1 Million in Planned Upgrades to CCC Campground

MCKENZIE COUNTY, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today met with U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Deputy Chief Chris French, McKenzie County officials, state legislators and local business leaders to discuss efforts to enhance the Maah Daah Hey Trail. Hoeven stressed the 144-mile trail’s importance to local tourism, as it is the longest continuous single-track mountain biking trail in the nation, hosts major race events throughout the year and is utilized by visitors from around the world. Accordingly, Hoeven is working to support efforts to ensure the trail’s facilities can meet this increased demand and provide a quality experience for local residents and visitors:

  • Hoeven highlighted to USFS officials a proposal from local supporters of the trail to improve the trailhead with the addition of a shelter, restrooms, water and other amenities.
    • Hoeven is working to advance a private-public partnership and identify funding to move this effort forward.
    • The senator secured a commitment from Deputy Chief French to work with local leaders on this priority.
  • The proposal would build upon nearly $1 million that Hoeven helped to advance for planned upgrades to the adjacent Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) campground, which is owned by the USFS.
    • The funding was largely made available under the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), legislation Hoeven worked to pass to address deferred maintenance at the nation’s parks.

“The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a world-class attraction for hikers, campers and bikers, bringing people from across the globe to North Dakota,” said Hoeven. “As more events are held here and more visitors utilize this trail, updated facilities are needed to provide a quality experience. Local leaders have taken the initiative to develop a proposal that will help ensure this trailhead can meet the demands and expectations that come with its growing popularity. Now, we’re making the case to the Forest Service to make these enhancements a reality.”

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