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North Dakota has a useful quality for anyone who likes being outdoors: space. Lots of it. Badlands, prairie, lakes, trails, and enough open road between them to make getting there part of the trip. For drivers planning the best outdoor adventures ND has to offer, that also means thinking about what you're bringing along. Camping equipment, fishing gear, bicycles, kayaks, children, dogs, and coolers have an impressive ability to consume cargo space. A capable Ford truck or SUV can make the logistics considerably easier. Here are 5 North Dakota destinations worth pointing the grille toward. Theodore Roosevelt National Park Is the Obvious Choice for Good Reason You could make a North Dakota outdoor list without Theodore Roosevelt National Park, but that would be a little like making a sandwich and forgetting the bread. The park's North and South Units showcase the state's extraordinary badlands landscape, with hiking and horseback-riding trails, scenic drives, Painted Canyon overlooks, and opportunities to see bison, wild horses, elk, and other wildlife. It's also the sort of destination that makes a road trip feel like a road trip. Pack the hiking gear into your Ford Explorer, load the family into an Expedition, or put the camping equipment in the bed of an F-150 and give yourself enough time to explore. Lake Sakakawea Requires a Bigger Packing List Lake Sakakawea is one of the largest man-made lakes in the country, and there are plenty of reasons to bring equipment with you. Fishing is a major attraction, with walleye, northern pike, and Chinook salmon among the species anglers pursue. Boating and kayaking open up even more of the enormous reservoir and its extensive shoreline. This is where the practical advantages of a truck become obvious. If your plans involve towing a boat or hauling coolers, fishing tackle, camping supplies, and everything else that somehow accompanies a weekend on the water, browsing our Ford F-150 inventory or other Ford trucks before the trip may give you a few ideas. Knife River Adds Thousands of Years to the Itinerary Not every outdoor adventure needs to involve scrambling over rocks or getting mud on the tires. Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site combines walking trails and Missouri River scenery with the history of the Hidatsa people. Visitors can learn about the area's earthlodge villages while exploring prairie and river landscapes that have supported communities for generations. It's a worthwhile change of pace on a longer North Dakota road trip, particularly for families who want some history mixed in with the scenery. Sheyenne National Grassland Shows You Another North Dakota Head southeast and the landscape changes again. Sheyenne National Grassland contains tallgrass prairie, wildflowers, and miles of opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The terrain feels very different from the badlands in western North Dakota, which is precisely why it's worth including if you're trying to see more than one side of the state. Mountain bikes also have a funny way of making a compact cargo area feel very compact. Drivers regularly carrying bikes and outdoor equipment may want to compare Ford Bronco Sport, Bronco, Explorer, and other Ford SUV models for the passenger and cargo combination that suits their hobbies. Icelandic State Park Makes the Family Weekend Easy Near Cavalier, Icelandic State Park offers a more relaxed outdoor getaway centered around Lake Renwick. Families can spend their time fishing, swimming, camping, or exploring nature trails, while the park's historic sites add something different to the weekend. It's accessible enough for a family trip without reducing the experience to an afternoon at the neighborhood playground. Pack the cooler, bring enough clothes for North Dakota weather to change its mind, and you've got the makings of a very good weekend. Pick the Destination, Then Pick the Ford The best outdoor adventures ND offers range from badlands hikes to days on the water, and each one places slightly different demands on your vehicle. Before heading west from New Jersey, or planning adventures closer to home, browse the new Ford inventory at Mahwah Ford Sales & Service in Mahwah, NJ. Compare Ford trucks and SUVs, explore models such as the F-150, Bronco, and Explorer, and find the capability that fits the way you travel. When you've narrowed it down, schedule a test drive online and start planning where you'll take it first.

Shopping for a used SUV is an exercise in priorities. You want enough room to make an SUV useful, manageable running costs, the right equipment, and a purchase that doesn't consume more of the household budget than planned. A used Ford Escape® can fit neatly into that equation. Years of different trims, powertrains, and equipment combinations give pre-owned shoppers around Mahwah plenty to compare. The trick is finding the Escape® whose history and specification suit your life rather than simply choosing the newest one available. Used Means You Have More Choices, Not Fewer One advantage of shopping for a used Escape® is the variety. Depending on model year and trim, pre-owned examples may include touchscreen infotainment, AWD, heated front seats, a power liftgate, Wi-Fi connectivity, driver-assistance technology, or a panoramic Vista Roof®. That doesn't mean every Escape® has every feature, of course. It means you can decide which equipment is important and search the used vehicle inventory accordingly. A slightly older, higher-trim Escape® may suit you better than a newer example with fewer features. Mileage, condition, service history, and price all belong in the comparison too. That's where used-car shopping gets interesting: age is only one part of the story. The Powertrain Deserves Some Homework Escape® powertrain choices have changed across model years, so check the specifications of the vehicle you're considering rather than applying current figures to an older SUV. The 2026 Escape® provides a useful example of how varied the range can be. Its 1.5L EcoBoost® produces 180 hp, while the available 2.0L EcoBoost® produces 250 hp. Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid models use 2.5L powertrains. Fuel economy differs substantially between configurations. For 2026, the 1.5L EcoBoost® with FWD achieves up to 27 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. The 2.0L EcoBoost® with AWD is rated at 23 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. The available 2.5L Hybrid with AWD reaches 42 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 39 mpg combined. For a used Escape®, verify the engine, drivetrain, and EPA ratings for that exact model year. There’s Useful Space Behind the Seats A compact SUV earns its keep by dealing with the awkward bits of ordinary life. Groceries are easy. It's the flat-pack furniture, suitcases, sports equipment, garden supplies, and unexpectedly large box you promised would fit that test the cargo area. Again, capacity depends on the Escape® you're shopping. As a current reference point, 2026 EcoBoost® models provide up to 65.4 cu. ft. of cargo capacity behind the first row. Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid versions offer up to 60.8 cu. ft. Different used model years may have different measurements, but the Escape's flexible SUV format is part of its appeal. Check the rear seating and cargo arrangement in person to make sure it works for what you regularly carry. Need to Tow? Check the Exact Escape® Towing is another area where the badge alone doesn't provide enough information. Capacity varies by model year, engine, drivetrain, and equipment. On the 2026 Escape®, for example, models with the 2.0L EcoBoost® can tow up to 3,500 lbs. when properly equipped with the available Class II Trailer Tow Package. Other 2026 configurations have maximum capacities ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 lbs. If towing is part of your plan, verify the specifications and equipment of the individual used Escape® before buying. Don't assume that because one Escape® can tow a particular trailer, another can do the same. Condition Beats a Fancy Equipment List A used SUV's history deserves at least as much attention as its features. Review the vehicle history report and available maintenance records. Look at mileage and overall condition, and consider having the vehicle inspected before purchase. A panoramic roof and heated seats are lovely. Evidence that the vehicle has been properly maintained is lovelier. Ford Blue Advantage™ certified vehicles provide another route for shoppers who want additional coverage. Gold Certified vehicles include a 7-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty, while Blue Certified vehicles include a 90-day/4,000-mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty. Coverage and eligibility depend on certification level, so review the applicable terms carefully. Find the Escape® That Fits Your Budget and Your Life Mahwah Ford Sales & Service, Inc. can help shoppers around Mahwah compare available used Ford Escape® inventory along with other pre-owned SUVs. Look closely at condition, mileage, maintenance history, powertrain, and features before narrowing the field. Once you've found an Escape® that fits the budget on paper, schedule your used Ford Escape® test drive online. A well-used SUV shouldn't simply cost less than a new one. It should still make sense several years after you bring it home.