North Country National Scenic Trail
The North Country National Scenic Trail is the longest trail in the National Trails System, stretching roughly 4,800 miles across eight states from Lake Sakakawea State Park in North Dakota to Maine...
OpenStreetMap (curated relation)
- Length
- 4,833 mi
- Elev. gain
- —
- States
- 8
About the route
The North Country National Scenic Trail is the longest trail in the National Trails System, stretching roughly 4,800 miles across eight states from Lake Sakakawea State Park in North Dakota to Maine Junction in Vermont, where it meets the Appalachian Trail.
Permits
Rules vary by land manager along the trail. Backcountry permits are required for overnight camping within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and on the Kekekabic and Border Route Trails in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
- Permit information and applications (opens in new tab)
- North Country Trail Association (opens in new tab)
Outdoors is not the permitting authority. Confirm current application windows and requirements with the issuing agency.
Termini
Terminus A
Lake Sakakawea State Park, ND
47.5239, -101.4519
Terminus B
Maine Junction, near Sherburne Pass, VT
43.6770, -72.8360
Verified waypoints
2 totalCategories hidden on the map fold here too.
Route markers2 waypoints
Official sources
- North Country Trail Association (opens in new tab)
- NCT plan your visit (opens in new tab)National Park Service
- NCT pets (opens in new tab)National Park Service
- NCT safety (opens in new tab)National Park Service
- OpenStreetMap relation #8808051 (opens in new tab)
Last verified by us: 2026-10-11
Outdoors is not the permitting authority. Reconfirm alerts, permits, and closures with the agency before you go.
Highlights
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
- Border Route Trail
- Kekekabic Trail