Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area, Protected outdoor recreation site near Walhalla, North Dakota.
Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area is a protected outdoor space featuring steep valley cliffs and the largest continuous forest in North Dakota. The area offers hiking trails, river sections for paddling, and viewpoints overlooking the gorge.
The recreation area opened in 2012 and received approval in 2023 to become North Dakota's fourteenth state park. This recognition highlighted the importance of this forest and gorge to the region.
The natural diversity of the area includes 480 species of vascular plants, representing one-third of North Dakota's total flora collection.
The best way to explore the area is on foot along the hiking trails or by kayak on the river. Most visitors need an hour or two to get a good sense of the place.
The area is home to several rare plant species found nowhere else in North Dakota. These botanical treasures make the place especially valuable for nature lovers.
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