About
Length1.3 mi
ShapeLoop
DifficultyEasy
Typical time53 min
TrailheadKnife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
ParkingKnife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is the location where the Hidatsa tribe lived for hundreds of years. Circular depressions were left behind by their earth lodge homes that are available to see along the park trails. A reconstructed earth lodge is available for touring. A museum and film are located inside the visitor center.
SurfaceGravel
DogsLeashed / limited stretches
AccessibilityThe Village Trail is flat and made of gravel between the villages. The section of trail beside the river is mowed grass. Stairs lead down to the section of trail beside the river. There is a fishing hole with a small dirt parking lot at the end of the trail. The Village Trail is 1.3 miles round trip. To see just the Lower Hidatsa Site is a .5 mile round trip hike. Service animals are allowed.
What you'll see 🌊 River or creek

Walk down the Village Trail and see the remains of the Awatixa Xi'e Village (Lower Hidatsa Site) and Awatixa Village (Sakakawea Site). Starting at the Visitor Center, thisflat, gravel trail is 1.3mi/2.1km long passing two village sites, restored prairie grassland, and has a loop at the second village site that includes a walk along the Knife River. Interpretive signs along the trail explain the history of the sites. At these sites, circular depressions were left in the groundby the earth lodge homes that the Hidatsa lived in. Lower Hidatsa Site was occupied from about 1525 to the 1780s when thefirst smallpox epidemic forced them to leave their village. Sakakawea Site is where Sakakawea was living when Lewis and Clark arrived in1804 and stayed the winter. Sakakawea (Sacagawea/Sacajawea) gave birth to her sonJean Baptiste (Pomp) that winter and then left with Lewis and Clark on their journey. This site was occupied from 1790s until 1837 when smallpox returned a second time.

Tips
The trail is open from sunrise to sunset. Pets are allowed if they are on a leash.
Location

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

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Trail data: USGS National Map / PAD-US, the National Park Service, state agencies, and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Access and conditions change — check with the managing agency before you go.