EasyUnpaved

Painted Canyon Loop Trail

Medora, North Dakota · Billings County

Painted Canyon Loop Trail is a easy hiking trail near Medora in Billings County, North Dakota.. The surface is unpaved. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.

🧭 Get Directions 🗺️ Open in OSM

46.89814, -103.38835

Open in OpenStreetMap

5-Day Forecast

Weather at Painted Canyon Loop Trail

Live forecast for the trailhead. Use it to pack and time your hike.

Avg High71°F

Avg Low52°F

Peak Rain Chance53%

Humidity73%

UV (avg)7

Air Quality40 · Good

Today

🌦

Drizzle

73°/63°

💧 11%🌬 18mph

↑ 5:03 AM ↓ 8:38 PM

Sun

🌧

Light Rain

71°/55°

💧 21%🌬 25mph

↑ 5:03 AM ↓ 8:39 PM

Mon

☁️

Overcast

72°/48°

💧 5%🌬 21mph

↑ 5:02 AM ↓ 8:40 PM

Tue

🌦

Rain Showers

69°/49°

💧 53%🌬 13mph

↑ 5:02 AM ↓ 8:41 PM

Wed

☁️

Overcast

69°/47°

💧 24%🌬 17mph

↑ 5:01 AM ↓ 8:42 PM

Forecast data © Open-Meteo. Refreshed every 6 hours. Always check the most recent forecast before heading out.

About Painted Canyon Loop Trail

Painted Canyon Loop Trail is a easy hiking trail near Medora in Billings County, North Dakota.. The surface is unpaved. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.

What “Easy” Means

Gentle terrain, well-marked. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

Difficulty is derived from OpenStreetMap’s Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) hiking scale, trail visibility, surface, distance, and elevation gain. Always verify current conditions before heading out.

What to Pack & Wear

Personalised to this trail’s length, elevation, difficulty, and the live forecast.

👔 What to Wear

👕
Moisture-wicking T-shirt
Light color, breathable.
🩳
Lightweight shorts or pants
Quick-dry preferred — sweat dries fast.
🧢
Brimmed sun hat
Better than a cap for back-of-neck protection.
🥾
Trail runners
Breathable mesh uppers.
☔
Rain jacket / shell
53% chance of precipitation in the forecast.

🎒 What to Pack

💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
🧴
Sun protection (UV 7)
SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm w/ SPF, sunglasses, sun hat.
🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
🛍
Dry bags for electronics
Phone, camera, and snacks should stay dry.

Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.

Trail Safety in North Dakota

Trail conditions in North Dakota change with weather, season, and fire activity. Closures, washouts, and rerouting are common. Before heading out:

Check with the land manager for current conditions and closures
Tell someone your plan and expected return time
Know your turn-around limits — conditions can change fast
Carry the 10 essentials: water, food, navigation, first aid, light, fire, shelter, knife, sun protection, extra clothes

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is Painted Canyon Loop Trail?

Painted Canyon Loop Trail is rated Easy. Suitable for most hikers including families.

What is the trail surface on Painted Canyon Loop Trail?

The surface is unpaved. Suitable for strollers and most footwear.

When is the best time to hike Painted Canyon Loop Trail?

North Dakota has trail conditions that vary by season. Spring and fall usually offer the best mix of temperature and trail conditions. Check the 5-day forecast above for current outlook. Always verify trail status (closures, washouts, fire restrictions) with the local land manager before going.

References & Maps

View original OpenStreetMap record — source data
Open OpenStreetMap at trailhead
Driving directions (Google Maps)

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Sunlit footpath winding through a tall conifer forest

Photo: Jay MantriEasyND

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