Call it Puppy Love by Building New Trail Connecting to a Dog Beach, ND

Build new trail for dogs!

This project supports one of Lewis and Clark State Park’s (LCSP) most popular recreation spaces by creating a clearly defined, durable route for dog walkers, families, and day-use visitors who frequent the shoreline and beach areas of the park.

Northwest North Dakota offers one of the most diverse landscapes and historical corridors in the state—where wide-open prairie, Missouri River bluffs, and badlands formations meet a rich cultural story shaped by tribes, explorers, soldiers, and early American traders. Williston and Williams County serve as the gateway to this unique blend of natural and historical heritage.

Volunteers will work with LCSP staff to clear brush, remove driftwood, establish the tread, and install boundary and informational signage. Long pieces of driftwood will be repurposed to line the trail, preserving the character of the beach while guiding visitors away from sensitive vegetation. Volunteers can expect to use loppers, hand saws, shovels, weed-whips, other assorted hand tools, and (if they possess current safety certification and training) chainsaws. Personal protective equipment will be provided based on the tools being used at the time.

This trail is designed with dog owners in mind—a place where pets can explore, socialize, and enjoy the shoreline in a controlled, safe environment. By providing structure and a defined corridor, LCSP can better manage the heavy pet use in this zone while improving visitor flow, safety, and shoreline protection. The trail is rated Easy+, with natural shoreline terrain and variable footing, making it approachable for most dog-owning families and casual park visitors.

This project enhances LCSP’s identity as a park that embraces pet-friendly recreation, community involvement, and creative shoreline stewardship. Dog Beach is already a regional draw in western North Dakota—one of the few designated dog-friendly shoreline areas on Lake Sakakawea. The addition of this trail increases capacity, improves safety, and helps LCSP manage growth in a high-use zone without compromising the natural look and feel of the shoreline.

Once complete, the Dog Beach Trail will stand as a signature amenity for LCSP—active, social, energetic, and built to enhance the dog-friendly culture that visitors love.

There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation! Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it’s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions here.

Avg. Temperature:

Typical weather for this area during this season has highs of around 82–86°F and lows of 60–65°F. Late July near the Iowa–South Dakota border is typically hot and humid with scattered thunderstorms.

Sample Schedule:

Day 1: Arrival

Typically meet in the afternoon for check in, introductions, orientation, and camp setup. (Time/place TBD)

Day 2: Work Day

Enjoy a hearty breakfast, pack lunches, and be on the trail between 8 AM and 9 AM

Lunch and plenty of other breaks will be included.

Wrap up the work day in the late afternoon and head back to camp and enjoy a few hours of daylight for free time.

Reconvene at a chosen time for dinner.

After dinner has been cleaned up, evenings offer plenty of  time to relax, sit around the campfire and get to know your fellow crew members, or enjoy more free time.

Day 3: Work Day

Day 4: Rest Day (Specific Day on Trip Will Be Confirmed By Host)

Your choice! Explore the area, take a recreational hike,  tour local attractions, or hang out at camp. Group excursions can be planned or set-out on your own.

Day 5: Work Day

Day 6: Work Day

Day 7: Departure

Pack up and clean up, celebrate your accomplishments, wish each other a fond farewell, and depart. Please note: This schedule is subject to change due to weather or other circumstances. Any updates will be communicated to the group.

Land Acknowledgment:

AHS acknowledges with gratitude that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Yankton, and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ people past and present. We honor the land itself, the Indigenous communities who have stewarded these islands and mountain landscapes for countless generations, and those who continue this stewardship today. This acknowledgement is one step in our ongoing commitment to uplift Indigenous voices. We invite the American Hiking Society community to learn about, support, and stand in solidarity with the Indigenous peoples whose lands we live, work, and recreate on.