Walk-UpThru-Hike
North Country National Scenic Trail Thru-Hike Permit
North Country National Scenic Trail · New York
The longest trail in the National Trails System: about 4,800 miles from Lake Sakakawea State Park, North Dakota to Crown Point, New York, across eight states. Almost the whole route needs no permit at all.
“The longest trail in the National Trails System: about 4,800 miles from Lake Sakakawea State Park, North Dakota to Crown Point, New York.”
Plan your North Country National Scenic Trail trip here, then get your permit from the agency.
Walk-up permit
How to get NCT Thru-Hike
No single permit covers the North Country Trail. Nearly all of its 4,800 miles cross land with no permit or registration at all. The one gate is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness crossing in Minnesota, where the Forest Service issues dedicated thru-hiker entry points so a crossing needs one reservation instead of two overlapping ones.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we alert on.
North Country National Scenic Trail Thru-Hike permit season
- route distance, point to point
- 4800mi
NCT Thru-Hike elevation profile
Lake Sakakawea State Park (Western Terminus) to Crown Point vicinity (Eastern Terminus)
Trailhead
Lake Sakakawea State Park (Western Terminus)
Official western terminus of the North Country Trail, on the Missouri River.
Mile ≈0 of 4721.9
0 Lake Sakakawea State Park (Western Terminus)4721.9 Crown Point vicinity (Eastern Terminus)
- Mile
- ≈0
- Elevation
- ≈1,917 ft
NCT Thru-Hike landmarks
Map of the North Country National Scenic Trail Thru-Hike, Lake Sakakawea State Park (Western Terminus) to Northeast Kingdom / Canadian-border approach
5 of 5 places in this section
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Terrain USGS 3DEP · Water USGS NHD · Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors
How to get a North Country National Scenic Trail Thru-Hike permit
As of November 2026, the managing agency does not require a permit for NCT Thru-Hike in North Country National Scenic Trail, New York. NCT Thru-Hike rates 4/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. The NCT Thru-Hike route covers 4800 miles, rated strenuous.
- Permit required
- No
- Type
- Thru-Hike
- Location
- Eight states: North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, NY
How this permit is issued
Official permit page →More on NCT Thru-Hike: Live availability activity
Guides: NCT Thru-Hike permit guide
How much a North Country National Scenic Trail Thru-Hike permit costs
NCT Thru-Hike permit fee: Free to hike. Some segments, such as the BWCAW and some state parks, charge their own fees.
The North Country National Scenic Trail Thru-Hike hike
- Distance
- 4800 miles
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 8-12 months for a continuous thru-hike (multi-year for most completers, per NCTA)
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
The longest trail in the National Trails System: about 4,800 miles from Lake Sakakawea State Park, North Dakota to Crown Point, New York.
About this permit
The longest trail in the National Trails System: about 4,800 miles from Lake Sakakawea State Park, North Dakota to Crown Point, New York, across eight states. Almost the whole route needs no permit at all.
The route
From Lake Sakakawea State Park (Western Terminus) on the Missouri River, the trail runs east across the northern plains, through Minnesota's Boundary Waters near the Border Route / Kekekabic Trail junction (BWCAW), across Michigan, before finishing at Crown Point vicinity (Eastern Terminus) in New York.
Why it matters
The North Country Trail Association coordinates volunteers across eight states to build and maintain the longest trail in the National Trails System.
How hard the North Country National Scenic Trail Thru-Hike hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required5/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills2/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity2/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route4/5
Best for: Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.
Recommended experience: Should have completed 10+ mile day hikes with significant elevation gain.
Trailhead information
Lake Sakakawea State Park (Western Terminus)
Primary- No restrooms
- No water
Trailhead information
Crown Point vicinity (Eastern Terminus)
- No restrooms
- No water
When to hike North Country National Scenic Trail Thru-Hike
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (≈1,917 ft)
As of Nov 11
Tue
☁️
53°
26°
Wed
🌫️
41°
33°
Thu
☁️
39°
29°
Fri
☁️
41°
25°
Sat
☁️
44°
27°
Sun
☁️
46°
33°
Mon
☁️
52°
37°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
North Country National Scenic Trail Thru-Hike rules, gear and safety
Rules & regulations
- 01No single permit covers the North Country Trail. Nearly all of its 4,800 miles cross land with no permit or registration at all. The one gate is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness crossing in Minnesota, where the Forest Service issues dedicated thru-hiker entry points so a crossing needs one reservation instead of two overlapping ones.
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for NCT Thru-Hike.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for NCT Thru-Hike · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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NCT Thru-Hike FAQ
Do I need a permit for a North Country Trail thru-hike?
There is no single North Country Trail permit -- it crosses eight states and dozens of land managers. Almost all of it needs nothing at all. The one place that does require a permit is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness crossing in Minnesota, where the Forest Service now issues dedicated thru-hiker entry points (#90 and #91) so you can cross on one reservation instead of two overlapping ones.
How long is the North Country National Scenic Trail?
The National Park Service's own FAQ gives a range -- 'between 4,200 and 4,500 miles long when completed' -- while the North Country Trail Association and most other sources cite about 4,800 miles for the trail as routed today, including road-walk connector sections. It is the longest trail in the National Trails System either way.
What states does the North Country Trail cross?
Eight: North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Vermont, running from Lake Sakakawea State Park on the Missouri River to the vicinity of Crown Point, New York, with a connector to the Appalachian Trail in Vermont.
How much of the North Country Trail is unfinished or a road walk?
As of 2023, about one-third of the distance is still a road walk rather than a dedicated off-road footpath, and those sections are regularly re-routed onto public or private land as the North Country Trail Association secures new corridor.
Who manages the North Country National Scenic Trail?
The National Park Service manages it as an official NPS unit -- a status it gained in 2023 -- in partnership with the North Country Trail Association and the many state, county, and Forest Service agencies whose land the corridor crosses.
Do I need a BWCAW permit to hike the North Country Trail through Minnesota?
Yes, for the segment that crosses the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on the Border Route and Kekekabic trails. Use the dedicated North Country Trail thru-hiker BWCAW entry points, #90 on the east and #91 on the west, reserved through Recreation.gov in the May-to-September quota season.
How long does a North Country Trail thru-hike take?
A continuous thru-hike typically takes 8 to 12 months; most people who complete the whole trail do it in pieces over several years rather than in one continuous push.
North Country National Scenic Trail Thru-Hike trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
If you've been on this trail recently, help others by reporting current conditions.
Questions
No questions yet
Be the first to ask about NCT Thru-Hike.
Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a North Country National Scenic Trail Thru-Hike permit
Where to stay near NCT Thru-Hike
- Lake Sakakawea State Park Far Loop campgroundLake Sakakawea State Park
- Lake Sakakawea State Park Vanhook CampgroundLake Sakakawea State Park
- Lake Sakakawea State Park Sanish CampgroundLake Sakakawea State Park
- All New York campgrounds
Plan the full trip, not just the permit
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