Native American sites abound in North Dakota. The Sitting Bull State Historic Site in Fort Yates was the original burial site for the great warrior-chief. The Turtle Mountain Reservation's heritage center in Belcourt displays exhibits on the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. Two landmarks in the war between the U.S. Cavalry and the Sioux Nation are Whitestone Hill Battlefield (near Kulm) and Killdeer Mountain Battlefield Historic Site (near Killdeer).
Nature
North Dakota has vast prairies, canyons, buttes and other natural areas where wild species are allowed to roam largely undisturbed by modern development. These preserves and refuges, including three national grasslands, offer opportunities to enjoy the state's unique ecology.
North Dakota has a number of state forests, as well. Most offer such activities as hiking and cross-country skiing, and some allow primitive camping. Two of them are headquartered near Lake Metigoshe: Turtle Mountain and Homen. Tetrault Woods State Forest is based in Walhalla—it's notable for being a forested gorge. Sheyenne State Forest, based in Lisbon, has part of the National North Country Trail, which runs from New York to Lake Sakakawea. Denbeigh Experimental Forest, west of Towner, was established in 1931 to determine which trees would survive best in North Dakota's climate. It offers excellent backpacking and bird-watching opportunities.
There are many excellent nature preserves in the state. Highest marks go to Cross Ranch Nature Preserve (near Hensler). If wildflowers catch your fancy, then Head of the Mountain Nature Preserve near Forman is a good bet. And if you want to see wildlife but you don't want to rough it too much, J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge (near Upham) has an auto tour and an observation tower that will make your nature studies easier. There's also a driving tour at Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge, another well-developed preserve northwest of Jamestown.
Parks & Gardens
Icelandic State Park, just west of Cavalier, has the Pioneer Heritage Center, which traces the cultures of the various ethnic groups who have settled in northeastern North Dakota. Next to the center, several trails begin that run through the adjoining Gunlogson Homestead and Nature Preserve. Stretch your legs on the Wildwood National Recreation Trail.
There are a large number of parks that offer fishing, swimming and hiking, and have campgrounds available for overnight stays. Among them are Beaver Lake State Park and Doyle Memorial State Recreation Area (both near Wishek). If you are in the area near Garrison, you should visit the prairie-dog town at Fort Stevenson State Park. The park also has trails for cross-country skiing, as well as the usual lineup of fishing, boating and hiking. Indian Hills Recreation Area has cabins available for those who would like to keep a solid roof over their heads. Fishing guides are also available there.
Fort Ransom State Park (near Fort Ransom) has camping, hiking, cross-country skiing, horse trails, snowshoeing and canoe rentals, and Lake Sakakawea State Park just north of Pick City offers camping, fishing and a marina. Little Missouri State Park, in the badlands north of Killdeer, features a wildlife viewing area, camping, horseback riding and hiking. And Turtle River State Park, near Grand Forks, has camping, hiking and mountain biking, in addition to a wealth of winter activities—cross-country skiing, sledding and ice skating. Cabins, a kitchen and dining hall, a visitors center and a chalet are available, too.
For more information about state parks, contact the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department. Phone 701-328-5357.
Recreation
North Dakota offers travelers an abundance of parks and recreation areas. We strongly suggest that visitors see several of these parks in their travels across the state—so much of what North Dakota has to offer is in the great outdoors.
Shopping
Shop for western gear and arts and crafts, particularly Native American craft work (more prevalent in the western part of the state). The Three Affiliated Tribes Museum in New Town (a good place to learn about Native American culture and history, 115 mi/190 km northwest of Bismarck) has a nice gift shop that carries items produced by Native Americans. You might also want to take home a jar of North Dakota honey.
Day By Day
The following itinerary will give first-time visitors a thorough introduction to North Dakota. Be aware that driving times between destinations can be long—plan accordingly.
Day 1—Arrive Fargo.
Day 2—Explore Fargo's Plains Art Museum, Bonanzaville or Red River Zoo. Head across the river to Moorhead to see the Heritage-Hjemkomst Interpretive Center. Try your luck at a casino or two in the evening. Overnight in Fargo.
Day 3—Take Interstate 29 North to Grand Forks, see the North Dakota Museum of Art or walk through the Japanese Garden. Then head west on Highway 2 to Devils Lake. Overnight there.
Day 4—Spend the day at Devils Lake and visit the Fort Totten State Historic Site and the Lake Region Pioneer Daughters Museum. Visit the Spirit Lake Casino that evening and stay another night.
Day 5—Drive west on Highway 2 to Rugby. Go north on Highway 3 to Highway 281. Rent a bike or go hiking in the International Peace Garden. Spend the night in the Bottineau/Lake Metigoshe area.
Day 6—Drive west on Highway 5 to Highway 83 South to Minot, and then take Highway 2 to Williston. Visit Fort Buford State Historic Site and Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site (off Highway 1804). Overnight in Williston.
Day 7—When you're ready, leave Williston on Highway 2, and then take Highway 85 South. Enter the North Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and follow the scenic drive. If you're not camping, overnight in nearby Watford City, or drive another 70 mi/112 km to Belfield, or continue on to Medora.
Day 8—Continue south on Highway 85 to I-94 West. At Medora, head for the visitors center of the South Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Be sure to visit the Maltese Cross Ranch Cabin before you start out on a scenic drive or horseback ride through the park. The Medora Musical and Pitchfork Fondue are well-loved activities in the park. Overnight in Medora.
Day 9—Explore Medora before you set out on I-94 East to Bismarck. Stop in Richardton along the way to see Assumption Abbey. Make another stop in Mandan for a visit to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. Overnight in Bismarck.
Day 10—Head north on Highway 1804 to Highway 83 and Washburn. Visit the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, and then cross the Missouri River on Highway 200A before taking Highway 200 to Stanton. Visit the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site. Return on Highway 48, Highway 25 and I-94 to spend the night in Bismarck.
Day 11—Bismarck offers free tours of the capitol building, the "Skyscraper on the Prairie" and the North Dakota Heritage Center. Take I-94 East to Fargo. Stop in Jamestown to see the live white buffalo at Frontier Village, living in the shadow of the 60-ton/54-metric-ton giant buffalo sculpture along the interstate. Make one last casino visit and overnight in Fargo.
Day 12—Depart North Dakota.
