North Dakota’s homesteading spirit is evident at Icelandic State Park, located on the shores of Lake Renwick. Established in 1964; this 912-acre park allows visitors to learn about the state’s early settlement and provides an array of recreational opportunities. Boating, swimming, and fishing are a few favorite summer activities while snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular during the winter. Picnic areas enable visitors to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the shade of old oak trees.
Within the park, visitors will find a number of restored historic buildings including Akra Community Hall and Hallson Church. Visitors can walk through the Pioneer Heritage Center that houses exhibits and hosts programing that highlights North Dakota’s homesteading years.
Visitors can also spend time exploring the 3 mile trail system in North Dakota’s first dedicated state nature preserve, Gunlogson Nature Preserve. The 200-acre natural wooded area along the Tongue River is a sanctuary for plants, birds, and wildlife. More than a dozen rare species exist in the preserve, ranging from Watermeal to Bishop’s Cap. The preserve also contains rare birds such as the Pileated Woodpecker and Western Wood-Pewee.
Camping
Campsite Types
134 Modern Campsites
(electricity & water)
Price: $25/night
7 Group Campsites
(the ability to put multiple units on one site)
Price: $25/night*
*Pricing is per night, per unit
10 Primitive Campsites
Price: $17/night
Trails
Icelandic has over 4 miles of trails that wind through the park and the historic 200-acre Gunlogson Nature Preserve. The majority of this 4-mile trail system is groomed and open in the winter for cross-country skiing.
Hillman Trail
Distance: .75 miles
Open to: hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing
The Hillman Trailhead is located across from the Primitive Campground. This .75-mile trail loops through a grove of evergreen trees and connects to the Bluebird trail. It is open to hiking, mountain biking and snowshoeing.
Bluebird Trail
Distance: .46 miles
Open to: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing
The Bluebird Trail connects to the Hillman Trail and takes you down along the banks of the Tongue River, to the Gunlogson Nature Preserve. Bluebird boxes line the trail and provided shelter for nesting Eastern Bluebirds and Tree Swallows. Keep your eye out for River Otter catching fish along the spillway and Great Blue Heron on the riverbank. This trail is open to hiking, and mountain biking. It is groomed in the winter for cross-country skiing.
Old Settlers Trail
Distance: 1.51 miles
Open to: hiking, cross-country skiing
The Old Settlers Trail loops through the woodlands of the Gunlogson Nature Preserve and connects to the Bluebird and Basswood Trails. It is open to hiking and is groomed for cross-country skiing in the winter.
Basswood Trail
Distance: .6 miles
Open to: hiking, cross-country skiing
The Basswood Trail is accessed through the Old Settlers and Wildwood Trails. The trail leads you through the native woodlands on the banks of the Tongue River. A bridge that crosses the Tongue River connects the Basswood and Wildwood Trails. If you are lucky, you may spot a River Otter or Beaver in the water below. This trail is open to hiking and is groomed for cross-country skiing in the winter.
Wildwood Trail
Distance: .49 miles
Open to: hiking, cross-country skiing
The Wildwood Trailhead is located near the Gunlogson barn. It connects to the Shady Springs Trail and leads you to the bridge that crosses the Tongue River, connecting to the Basswood Trail. This interpretive trail guides you through the Gunlogson Nature Preserve; North Dakota’s first designated nature preserve. Footbridges take you over the streams and springs scattered throughout the preserve. Along the trail, you will find many native plants including scouring rush and several species of ferns. Interpretive brochures are located at the trailhead or at the Pioneer Heritage Center.
Shady Sprints Trail
Distance: .28 miles
Open to: hiking
The Shady Springs Trail can be accessed on the north side of the Gunlogson Barn or the Akra Hall and connects to the Wildwood Trail. This trail includes footbridges that take you over the natural springs and wetlands. Many native plants and wildflowers can be seen along the trail including the Marsh Marigold. This trail is open to hiking.
Cavlandic Trail
Distance: 6.5 miles
Open to: hiking, biking
The Cavlandic trail runs from the city of Cavalier to Icelandic State Park. The trail is 6.5 miles one way and provides users access to a number of amenities in the city of Cavalier.
Amenities
Amphitheater
Boat ramp
Courtesy dock
Dog Park
Electrical hookups
Historical buildings
Picnic shelters
Playground
Sewage dump station
Shower & flush toilets
Sledding hill
Swim beach
