Discover Mchenry County: Nature, Wildlife, and History

McHenry County combines impressive wetlands, species-rich habitats, and historic traces in north-central North Dakota. Those who want to combine nature observation, short walks, longer hikes, and culture on a trip will find a variety of options for planning each day. When searching for a vacation rental or vacation home, it can therefore be helpful to first decide which experiences you want: Should the trip focus primarily on waterways and wildlife, or should it also include historic sites and trails near Towner and Velva?

Wetlands and Birdlife Along the Souris River

One defining natural area is the J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge. It is located in the lakebed of the glacial Lake Souris. The southern part includes wooded river floodplains, floodplain meadows, and native prairie sandhills. These different landscapes give the area a varied character. More than 250 bird species occur in the refuge, including waterfowl, shorebirds, birds of prey, and songbirds. Wildlife viewing is one of the possible experiences there.

The Souris River Canoe Trail is also designated as a National Recreation Trail. It runs through unique wooded hardwood river floodplains and offers opportunities for wildlife viewing. Those who prefer to explore nature on a short trail can choose the Wildlife Observation Walk. The 0.13-mile trail is rated easy and offers limited-barrier access; there is also an accessible wildlife-viewing platform there.

Trails, Lakes, and Special Landscapes

The Sandhills Walk is an unmarked trail. Visitors can explore trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and wildlife there. Another trail option is the Denbigh Experimental Forest Trail near Towner, North Dakota. The loop trail is 3.9 miles long and is suitable for hiking. Dogs must be kept on a leash there. For trip planning, this difference between an unmarked trail and a designated loop trail is just as relevant as the leash requirement if a dog is part of the traveling group.

The Sand Hills Wildlife Management Area in McHenry County features areas of aspen forest, rolling meadows, woody shrubs, and yellow pines. Cottonwood Lake has good populations of walleye, including some larger specimens of up to 26 inches, a few northern pike, and many small perch. A fishing pier is also among the lake’s listed features. Cottonwood Lake in southern McHenry County is one of the lakes in the J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management District that are popular with anglers at times.

McHenry County is also home to the Wintering River National Wildlife Refuge. The J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management District extends across five counties in north-central North Dakota and is designated as a globally significant bird conservation area. McHenry County also lists hunting opportunities among its tourism attractions. The range therefore extends from quiet nature observation, trails, and fishing to other nature-related activities.

Historic Sites Around Towner and Velva

Alongside the landscapes, the county’s history is also worth exploring. The McHenry County Courthouse in Towner was built in 1907. In 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of a thematic nomination. The two years represent different milestones: the construction of the building and its later addition to the register.

The David Thompson State Historic Site is located northeast of Velva in McHenry County. A granite globe on a rectangular granite base is the defining feature of the site. It commemorates the achievements of the geographer and astronomer David Thompson. His surveys and observations during an expedition resulted in the first reliable map of the region from the west bend of the Souris River to the western shore of Lake Superior. Lewis and Clark used this map during their expedition across North America.

Choose the Right Accommodation Based on Your Travel Interests

McHenry County is particularly easy to explore according to your own interests. For days focused on birds, river floodplains, and wetlands, the J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge and the Souris River are central points of interest. Those who prefer trails can consider including the Wildlife Observation Walk, the Sandhills Walk, or the 3.9-mile Denbigh Experimental Forest Trail in their plans. For travelers interested in cultural history, Towner and the David Thompson State Historic Site are important points of reference.

More destinations for orientation: Drake, Grand Forks, Billings County, Bottineau County, Eddy County, Richland County, Traill County, Burleigh County

For the overview of the broader travel region: North Dakota.