North Dakota Travel Guide - 2026 Travel Guide
ITINERARIES
2026-01-24 12:28:33
EASTERN ROAD TRIPS
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.
ROAD TRIP IDEA: FARGO TO SHEYENNE RIVER VALLEY
• Go antiquing in the “City of Bridges,” Valley City
• Drive the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway through rolling hills and rural landscapes
• Enjoy hiking or kayaking at Fort Ransom State Park
• Return through the Sheyenne National Grassland and visit Bagg Bonanza Farm near Mooreton
• Ride an antique carousel and visit the Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton
• Dine at Prante’s, Wahpeton
The Pembina Gorge has over 30 miles of trails and is surrounded by the largest continuous, undisturbed forest in North Dakota.
Devils Lake’s shopping and dining options compliment waterfront amenities like Woodland Resort and dining at Proz Lakeside at the Cove.
Icelandic State Park includes a 200-acre nature preserve that is home to rare birds such as the Pileated Woodpecker and Western Wood-Pewee.
ROAD TRIP IDEA: GRAND FORKS TO DEVILS LAKE TO THE RENDEZVOUS REGION
Grand Forks to Devils Lake Area
• See bison at White Horse Hill National Game Preserve
• Learn about history at Fort Totten State Historic Site
• Dine at The Ranch Steakhouse
• Try a round at Dockside Entertainment’s golf simulator for a fun indoor stop • Cheers to a fun day at Black Paws Brewery in Devils Lake
Devils Lake to Rendezvous Region
• Take in the view at the Pembina State Museum observation tower
• Hike in the beautiful Pembina Gorge
• Lunch at The Rusty Nail, Walhalla
• Drive the Rendezvous Region Scenic Backway
• See the oldest structure in the state at the Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site
• Spend the night in a cabin at Icelandic State Park
Scenic Return Toward Grand Forks
• Refuel with coffee at Blue Fox Coffeehouse in Cavalier
• Experience Midwest inspired dishes at Bernie’s upon return to Grand Forks
• Stroll, sip and savor wine at the Grape Mill Vineyard & Winery
• Call it a day with a stay at Olive Ann Hotel
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NORTH-CENTRAL ROAD TRIPS
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.
ROAD TRIP IDEA: ALONG SCENIC MOUSE RIVER
• Breakfast at the Homesteaders Restaurant in Minot
• Visit the Swedish Dala Horse and Norwegian Stave Church
• Head to Kenmare past vast fields of sunflowers blooming in late summer
• See the 1902 Danish Mill in Kenmare
• Drive the Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge Scenic Byway
Did you know Minot Air Force Base is home to the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing of the U.S. Air Force?
Tommy the Turtle is 30 feet tall and is the tallest turtle in the world. Visitors can climb on his snowmobile for a photo op!
ROAD TRIP IDEA: MINOT TO TURTLE MOUNTAINS TO RUGBY
Minot to Turtle Mountains
• Take the Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway to Mystical Horizons, the "Stonehenge of the Prairie"
• See Tommy the Turtle riding his snowmobile in Bottineau
• Eat at LT’s Dockside Bar & Grill, Bottineau
• Kayak at Lake Metigoshe State Park
• Stroll the International Peace Gardens
• Visit the giant turtle made of wheel rims in Dunseith
• Spend the night at Lake Metigoshe State Park or Bottineau
Turtle Mountains to Rugby Area
• Pose for a selfie in Rugby at the Geographical Center of North America
• Grab lunch at 3rd Street Station, Rugby
• Hike a completed section of the North Country National Scenic Trail
• Take a self-guided auto tour of the Lonetree Wildlife Management Area in Harvey
• Eat at Calacas Cocina & Tequila, Harvey
• Camp at Lonetree Wildlife Management Area
Scenic Return to Minot
• Stop at the Denbigh Experimental Forest near Towner
• Fuel up for the drive back at Magic Bean Brewing in Velva
• Eat at The Starving Rooster in downtown Minot upon your return
Fort Stevenson State Park near Garrison combines history and water recreation on Lake Sakakawea.
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SOUTH-CENTRAL ROAD TRIPS
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.
ROAD TRIP IDEA: BISMARCK-MANDAN TO GARRISON DAM
• Visit the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Washburn
• Cross the steel truss bridge along the Sakakawea Scenic Byway to Stanton
• Explore the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
• Stop at the Bison Sports Bar in Hazen for a bite
• See the Garrison Dam on the way to Lake Sakakawea State Park
• Stop at Audubon National Wildlife Refuge
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.
"Food For Fun!” mural makes for fun pictures to share.
ROAD TRIP IDEA: BISMARCK-MANDAN LOOP THROUGH WESTERN LANDSCAPES TO JAMESTOWN
Mandan to the West
• Drive west from Mandan on the Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway
• Visit the World's Largest Holstein Cow in New Salem
• Continue westward on the scenic byway to Glen Ullin
• Grab a bite at Coyote Creek Bar & Grill, Glen Ullin
• Enjoy the water at Lake Tschida
• Return to Bismarck along the Standing Rock National Native American Scenic Byway
Bismarck to Jamestown
• Take Highway 1804 for beautiful views along the Missouri River and Lake Oahe
• Stop at A Touch of Honey® in Linton
• Visit the home of Lawrence Welk in Strasburg
• Hike nature trails at Beaver Lake State Park
• See the World's Largest Buffalo and Jamestown Arts Center in Jamestown
• Dine at Hondo’s Hideaway before spending the night
Return to Bismarck
• Try Babb’s Coffee House in the morning before exploring unique shops in Jamestown
• See the World's Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele during your return trip
• Arrive back in Bismarck-Mandan with time for more adventures
EXTEND YOUR TRIP WITH MORE IDEAS
WESTERN ROAD TRIPS
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.
ROAD TRIP IDEA: WILLISTON TO RIVERS AND FORTS
• Visit the area where the Yellowstone River flows into the Missouri River
• Stop at the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center near Williston
• Explore Fort Buford State Historic Site and Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site
• Savor a premium cut steak at 701 Chophouse
• Walk the path traversing a retired railroad lift bridge and tunnel a few miles south
Crow Flies High State Recreation Area at New Town offers panoramic views of Four Bears Bridge and Lake Sakakawea.
The Enchanted Highway’s “Geese in Flight” was named the world’s largest scrap metal sculpture by Guinness Book of World Records.
ROAD TRIP IDEA: WATFORD CITY TO THE BADLANDS LOOP
Watford City to New Town and Killdeer Mountains
• Cross the mile-long Four Bears Bridge
• Visit the MHA Interpretive Center in New Town
• Enjoy the scenic badlands shoreline on Lake Sakakawea
• Take the Killdeer Mountain Four Bears Scenic Byway for spectacular vistas
• Stay at The Roosevelt Inn & Suites in Watford City
Killdeer to Medora and the South Unit
• Drive through Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit
• Enter Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit
• Explore the dramatic badlands scenery and view wildlife
• Visit the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora
• Try the Pitchfork Steak Fondue and the Medora Musical
• Head to Dickinson for the night
The Enchanted Highway Return
• See fossils at the Badlands Dinosaur Museum in Dickinson
• Marvel at metal sculptures of pheasants, fish and more along the Enchanted Highway from Gladstone to Regent
• Check out The Enchanted Castle in Regent
• Hike up White Butte, the highest point in North Dakota near Amidon
EXTEND YOUR TRIP WITH MORE IDEAS
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