Fairview Bridge & Cartwright Tunnel Trail

Both historical and unique in its design, the Old Fairview Bridge was built to accommodate both cars and trains—though not at the same time! The Old Fairview Bridge and Cartwright Tunnel Trail is now open to pedestrians and cyclists to cross the Yellowstone River in North Dakota just east of Fairview, Montana.

In addition, the Cartwright Tunnel is another unusual feature of this short trail. The tunnel is 1,458 feet long and was built in 1912 and 1913—most of the digging having been done by hand. Horse- and mule-drawn machinery, along with blasting materials, were also used.

The bridge and tunnel were built by the Great Northern Railroad for its Montana Eastern Railway, which was never finished.

Parking and Trail Access

Parking is available at Sundheim Park on the west bank of the Yellowstone River. Take State Route 200 and at the park's access road, head south.

Interesting short trail

July 2021 isaleeann

This little trail was worth the stop just to see the cast iron lift bridge and North Dakota’s only tunnel. Trail has portajohns at beginning parking lot and is paved to bridge. The bridge surface was expanded metal over railroad ties and crosses the Yellowstone River. The trail turns to sand thru the old wooden railroad tunnel. Make sure you have a light since it gets dark in the middle but entire tunnel was dry. Short trail afterwards has a nice view of the valley but ends on private property.

Remote and short

August 2019 normanbowers

This is a remote area and trail is not used much. I saw one track made since the last rain. Bridge is fine to ride over with a little jump at the west end. I never imagined a lift bridge in this area.
The tunnel curves and after a 100 yards the entrance is no longer visible, so it is totally dark. I was alone, and even with a good headlight I got spooked and turned around. I spoke with a local fisherman who said the tunnel was open all the way.
The adjacent park isn't maintained very well, but looks safe.

Short and Interesting

October 2013 noel.keler

Luck would have that Handicap parking is at Trail grade at the west end. Otherwise it is a steep though short climb from the park below. The trail surface across the ties is a steel reinforcement web making a smooth ride. However at the east end the dirt has washed away and the web is not bent down over the side of the RR tie. This cut the side wall of my tire. Luck again, it did not blow out until an hour later after loaded it back in my Van. If the web reinforcement was hammered down, it would cure this hazard. Noel Keller 21 Jun 2013