North Dakota · National Park trail

Coal Vein Trail Post 15: The Big Picture

in North Dakota

Take in the view. The things you have observed on this trail are not unique to this one spot. They can be seen, felt, and identified throughout the badlands. Even today, coal fires shape the dynamic landscape of the badlands.

Geology is not only a study of the past; here it is an ever present process. How do these things fit into the big picture of the park? How long will these processes continue to shape this land?

States: North Dakota
Trail type: National Park trail
Centroid coords: 46.9236°, -103.4032°

About Theodore Roosevelt National Park

National Park

This trail is inside Theodore Roosevelt National Park, a national park managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Conditions, road status, trail closures, and reservation requirements are published on the park's NPS page — check it before driving in, especially in winter or during major weather events.

Entrance fee: $30 per vehicle (verify current rate on the park page). An America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all NPS units.

Official NPS trail page: https://www.nps.gov/places/coal-vein-trail-post-15-the-big-picture.htm

Park homepage: https://www.nps.gov/thro/index.htm

Plan your hike

Practical notes

Maps + permits: long-distance trails like this often require permits for through-hiking, backcountry camping, or specific sections (especially in National Parks). Check with the maintaining organisation listed above and the relevant land manager before booking travel.

Water + supplies: water sources vary seasonally on most U.S. trails. Carry a filter and consult current trail-condition reports — through-hiker journals (PCT-L, AT Reddit, etc.) and the maintaining organisation publish regular updates.

When to go: hiking seasons vary widely with elevation, latitude, and snowpack. Through-hikers traditionally start the AT in March-April (Springer northbound) and the PCT in late April (Campo northbound). High-elevation western trails (CDT, JMT, Wonderland) generally aren't passable until July.

If you've hiked Coal Vein Trail Post 15: The Big Picture and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.