North Dakota Travel Guide - 2025 Travel Guide

EXTEND YOUR VISIT to the Grand Forks and Fargo areas with a road trip to scenic river valleys, historic sites and charming communities like Devils Lake, Valley City and Wahpeton.

RECOMMENDED ROAD TRIP: Grand Forks to the Rendezvous Region

WHERE: Northwest of Grand Forks near the Canadian border

ITINERARY: Take a day trip north for the view from the Pembina State Museum’s observation tower and a hike in the beautiful Pembina Gorge. Drive the Rendezvous Region Scenic Backway. See the oldest structure in the state at Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site, then experience the culture at Icelandic State Park before returning to Grand Forks.

RECOMMENDED ROAD TRIP: Grand Forks to Devils Lake area

WHERE: West of Grand Forks

ITINERARY: See bison at White Horse Hill National Game Preserve, learn about the history of Fort Totten State Historic Site, hike at Grahams Island State Park, dine at The Ranch Steakhouse and play a golf simulator at Dockside Entertainment. Toast a successful trip at Black Paws Brewery.

Devils Lake’s shopping and dining options compliment waterfront amenities like Woodland Resort and dining at Proz Lakeside at the Cove.

Valley City’s beautiful bridges over the Sheyenne River connect downtown antique shops, parks and more.

Wahpeton’s wonderfully revitalized downtown welcomes visitors with attractions like Red Door Art Gallery and City Brew Hall.

RECOMMENDED ROAD TRIP: Fargo to Sheyenne River Valley area

WHERE: West and south of Fargo

ITINERARY: Go antiquing in the “City of Bridges,” Valley City, then paddleboarding at Lake Ashtabula. Drive south on the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway and spend the weekend in a yurt at Fort Ransom State Park. Return through the Sheyenne National Grassland and visit Bagg Bonanza Farm near Mooreton. Finally, ride an antique carousel, then see an orangutan and endangered southern white rhino at Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton.

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EXPLORE THE REGION surrounding Minot with a drive through forested hills and open prairie. You’ll see nature conservation, interesting roadside attractions and welcoming towns like Kenmare, Bottineau, Garrison and Rugby.

RECOMMENDED ROAD TRIP: Along the scenic Mouse River

WHERE: Northwest of Minot along Highway 52

ITINERARY: Especially beautiful in late summer, this road trip takes you through one of America’s best areas to view vast fields of sunflowers in bloom. See iconic cultural landmarks from the Swedish Dala Horse and Norwegian Stave Church in Minot’s Scandinavian Heritage Park to the 1902 Danish Mill in Kenmare. Take a slight detour to drive the Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge Scenic Backway.

Did you know Minot Air Force Base is home to the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing of the U.S. Air Force?

RECOMMENDED ROAD TRIP: Minot to the Turtle Mountains

WHERE: Northeast of Minot near the Canadian border

ITINERARY: Drive the Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway, beginning with Mystical Horizons, the “Stonehenge of the prairie.” Spend the day kayaking at Lake Metigoshe State Park. Continue your trip to the International Peace Garden for an International Music Camp performance. Before returning to Minot, see Tommy the Turtle riding his snowmobile in Bottineau or the giant turtle made of wheel rims in Dunseith.

Fort Stevenson State Park near Garrison combines history and water recreation on Lake Sakakawea.

It is always thrilling to spot a moose in the wild on your North Dakota road trip.

RECOMMENDED ROAD TRIP: Minot to the center of North America

WHERE: East-southeast of Minot

ITINERARY: Head southeast on Highway 52 for a hike at Black Butte Adventures near Velva. Continue southeast to Harvey for a self-guided auto tour of the Lonetree Wildlife Management Area or hike a completed section of the North Country Trail. Drive north to Rugby for a selfie at the Geographic Center of North America. Returning on Highway 2, stop at the Denbigh Experimental Forest near Towner.

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TAKE EXTRA TIME on your visit to Bismarck-Mandan to explore the history and beauty of the Missouri River and rolling plains of the region. Follow the trail of Lewis and Clark or the path of millions of migratory birds while visiting communities like Jamestown, Washburn and more.

RECOMMENDED ROAD TRIP: Bismarck-Mandan to Garrison Dam

WHERE: North of Bismarck along the Missouri River

ITINERARY: The inviting town of Washburn welcomes you with the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and a cozy city park by the river. Cross the steel truss bridge westward to follow the Sakakawea Scenic Byway to Stanton and the Knife River Villages National Historic Site. Head north to Sakakawea State Park and the impressive Garrison Dam, spanning more than two miles. Back at Highway 83, visit Audubon National Wildlife Refuge before returning to Bismarck.

Hike trails along the bank of the Missouri River at Cross Ranch State Park between Center and Washburn.

Dakota Zoo in Bismarck features many species from North America and around the world.

RECOMMENDED ROAD TRIP: Touching the West

WHERE: West from Mandan and south to Standing Rock

ITINERARY: From downtown Mandan, drive west on the Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway. Watch the western landscape become more rugged on your way to the world’s largest Holstein cow in New Salem. If you don’t mind gravel roads, continue westward on the scenic byway to Glen Ullin (or take I-94). Head south past Lake Tschida before returning eastward to the Standing Rock National Native American Scenic Byway.

"Food For Fun!” mural makes for fun pictures to share.

RECOMMENDED ROAD TRIP: Bismarck-Mandan to Jamestown

WHERE: Southeast from Bismarck

ITINERARY: From south Bismarck, follow the hills and curves of Highway 1804 along the Missouri River and Lake Oahe. Stop at A Touch of Honey® in Linton and the childhood home of famed bandleader Lawrence Welk at Strasburg. Continuing east, hike nature trails at Beaver Lake State Park. Make your way to Jamestown to see the World’s Largest Buffalo, Jamestown Arts Center and fantastic dining. Returning on I-94, see the World’s Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele.

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THERE IS MUCH MORE than the national park in western North Dakota. Extend your visit with amazing sights and warm hospitality in and around cities like Williston, Watford City and Dickinson.

RECOMMENDED ROAD TRIP: Williston to Rivers and Forts

WHERE: Southwest from Williston on Highway 1804

ITINERARY: Visit the area where the Yellowstone River flows into the Missouri River, completing its run from Yellowstone National Park. Near the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center see two frontier forts — Fort Buford State Historic Site and Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site. A few miles south, walk the path traversing a retired railroad lift bridge and tunnel.

Crow Flies High State Recreation Area at New Town offers panoramic views of Four Bears Bridge and Lake Sakakawea.

RECOMMENDED ROAD TRIP: Watford City to Four Bears and the Killdeer Mountains

WHERE: East of Watford City to New Town and Killdeer

ITINERARY: Take Highway 23 east to New Town, the mile-long Four Bears Bridge, MHA Interpretive Center and scenic badlands shoreline on Lake Sakakawea. Head south on the Killdeer Mountain Four Bears Scenic Byway to the spectacular vistas of Little Missouri State Park. At the town of Killdeer, go west to Highway 85 and return via Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit.

The Enchanted Highway’s “Geese in Flight” was named the world’s largest scrap metal sculpture by Guinness Book of World Records.

RECOMMENDED ROAD TRIP: The Enchanted Way, Dickinson and the Badlands

WHERE: Southeast of Dickinson, looping to the west

ITINERARY: See fossils of T. rex and triceratops at the Badlands Dinosaur Museum in Dickinson, then travel the Enchanted Highway from Gladstone to Regent to wonder at giant metal sculptures of pheasants, fish and more. Turn west toward Amidon to hike up White Butte, the highest point in North Dakota. Drive north on Highway 85 to Belfield and Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit. Don’t miss the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora.

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