The J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge lies in the bed of the glacial Lake Souris. In the southern part of the refuge, wooded river bottomlands, floodplain meadows and native prairie sandhills shape the landscape. These changing habitats give McHenry County’s natural side its distinctive character.
More than 250 bird species occur in the refuge, including waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors and songbirds. The area offers opportunities for wildlife watching; bird enthusiasts will find a specific focus here that can be combined with taking in the varied landscapes. The J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management District spans five counties in north-central North Dakota and is designated a globally significant bird area. McHenry County is also home to the Wintering River National Wildlife Refuge.
River Trails, Hikes and Cottonwood Lake
The Souris River Canoe Trail is designated a National Recreation Trail. Its route passes through wooded hardwood river bottomlands and offers opportunities for wildlife watching. This route brings together two things: the river landscape and the chance to observe wildlife.
The details vary for the named trails. The Wildlife Observation Walk is 0.13 miles long, rated easy and accessible; its wildlife observation platform is accessible as well. The Sandhills Walk, by contrast, is unmarked and invites visitors to explore trees, shrubs, wildflowers and wildlife. The Sand Hills Wildlife Management Area in McHenry County, for its part, includes areas of aspen forest, rolling meadows, woody shrubs and oak.
Cottonwood Lake is in southern McHenry County and is one of the lakes in the J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management District that anglers sometimes favor. For 2026, the information reports good numbers of walleye, a few larger specimens up to 26 inches, a few pike and many small perch; there is also a fishing pier. Fish populations can change, so it is a good idea to check the latest assessment before fishing.
The Denbigh Experimental Forest Trail is a 3.9-mile loop near Towner, North Dakota. Dogs must be kept on a leash there. As trail conditions can change, check local trail information before setting out.
Places and Stories from the Region
The McHenry County Courthouse, built in 1907, stands in Towner. In 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of a thematic nomination. The construction date and later listing tell two different chapters in the building’s history: its origins and its historic designation.
The David Thompson State Historic Site is located in McHenry County, northeast of Velva. A granite globe on a rectangular granite base commemorates the achievements of the geographer and astronomer. Thompson’s surveys and observations during an expedition led to the first reliable map of the region—from the west bend of the Souris River to the western shore of Lake Superior. Lewis and Clark used this map on their expedition across North America. The marker thus connects a specific place with a far-reaching history of mapmaking.
Those exploring McHenry County can choose from a range of interests: birdlife and river bottomlands, the landscape around Cottonwood Lake, or historic places and their stories. Discover more destinations: Drake, Mountrail County, Walsh, Burleigh County, Bowman County, Pierce County, Lamoure County, Ramsey.
For the main travel overview: North Dakota.
