Hike a section of the Maah Daah Hey Trail with Walt Dabney and walk across the bridge the Badlands Conservation Corps helped build in June. We’ll also be joined by Beth Ihle, Dakota Prairie Grasslands Supervisor.

We’ll meet at Chimney Park in Medora and leave at 9 a.m. MDT on Sunday, Oct. 12th. It's about a 20 minute drive to the trail.

The hike is two miles one way. We can turn the hike into a loop for those wanting additional scenery along the MDHT. Bring lunch, water and snacks. Proper hiking footwear is a must. We’ll monitor weather in the lead-up to the hike.

Jennifer Morlock (Dakota Cyclery) will shuttle up to eleven outing guests. Alex Manard (Dakota Prairie Grasslands Recreation Program Manager) will provide an ATV to transport up to five participants. If you’d like to secure a spot in the shuttle or on the ATV, please contact Shannon Straight.

Walt Dabney is a retired park professional with a 43-year career spanning both the National Park Service (NPS) and Texas Parks and Wildlife.

A Texas A&M graduate, he began as a ranger-naturalist in Yellowstone and went on to serve in key leadership roles across iconic parks including Yosemite, Grand Teton, Everglades, and as Chief Ranger of the NPS in Washington, D.C. He later led the Southeast Utah Group of parks and served as Director of Texas State Parks.

Known for his expertise in law enforcement, search and rescue, fire management, and public land policy, Dabney now teaches at leadership institutes and universities and frequently speaks on the history of America’s public lands.