Other Destinations and Attractions in North Dakota

To the south of Lake Sakakawea, on an old camping ground of the Mandan and Hidatsa Indians, is the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, where a number of villages of the Prairie Indians have been rebuilt in an attempt to preserve their culture. Games, food preparation, ceremonies, and trade bring the village to life.
The area around the village is also very scenic with a variety of wildlife.

Fort Abercrombie State Historical Site is a great place to visit if you are looking to brush up on your North Dakota history. Located just outside Abercrombie, Fort Abercrombie State Historical Site is a restored military fort from the mid 19th Century. Here visitors can wander the extensive grounds and read the informative historical plaques. The Fort Abercrombie State Historical Site is free but a fee is charged to enter the modern museum.

The Badlands, a barren landscape formed by wind and weather, are situated in western North Dakota, and bison still live here.
The Badlands are actually beautiful scenic areas with a range of colors in the rolling landscape. One area where the badlands are easily accessible is in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where visitors can drive through the Badlands.

The Turtle Mountain Indian Reserve features an Indian Heritage Center. Located near Belcourt, the center provides an interesting glimpse into the ancient world of the Chippewa Indians. On display are a variety of interesting items ranging from sculptures to three dioramas featuring the transition of the Chippewa from the woodlands to the plains. Of particular note is a recreated Red River cart.

The Great Plains Synfuels Plant located just off highway 200 near Beulah is one of North Dakota's key energy producers. Here natural gas is removed from the ground and shipped 54 km / 34 mi south to four major pipelines. The Great Plains Synfuels Plant produces over 54 billion standard cubic feet of natural gas each year and has done so since 1984.

Bottineau, in the far north of the state on the Canadian frontier, is the chief place in an extensive nature reserve and recreation area made up of the J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge (fishing, observation of wild life), Lake Metigoshe State Park (bathing, boating), the Bottineau Winter Park Ski Area and the International Peace Gardens, a landscaped park symbolizing the friendship between Canada and the United States that extends into the Canadian province of Manitoba.

The Pioneer Trails Regional Museum, located in Bowman, is the resource for all manners of history within a 160 km / 100 mi radius of Bowman. The museum has an extensive collection of photographs and a varied assortment of artifacts. A trip to the Pioneer Trails Regional Museum can be combined with a visit to the Fort Dilts Historic sites due to their proximity. A gift shop is on the premises for those wishing to take home a memento.

Located near Cayuga, the Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge is a hotspot for birding enthusiasts. Located in southeastern portion of the state, the refuge is home to a wide variety of migrating and nesting birds. The refuge also draws anglers for shore fishing on both Lake Tewaukon and Sprague Lake. The Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1945 and covers over 8300 acres.

The International Peace Garden at Dunseith is dedicated to the peaceful cooperation of close neighbors and allies. Spread over 2339 acres, visitors will find a quiet spot with wonderful floral displays. Over 150,000 flowers create a feast for the senses. The International Peace Garden was first dedicated in 1932. The site also has an RV site and two restaurants.

Heart Butte Dam is an earthfill dam located along the Heart Butte River and is responsible for the creation of the Heart Butte Reservoir. The area is popular in the summer for camping, boating, and fishing.

The Buffalo Trails Museum located in Epping provides a look back in time to the 19th Century. Spread throughout seven buildings visitors will find interpretive displays of life in a bygone era. Also on display are interesting fossils from the nearby area and memorabilia from the times. Of particular note is the homesteader's shack. The museum is easily located as it is on the main street of town.

Fort Ransom State Park is located 2 miles from the town of the same name. The park is spread over 887 acres and has a multitude of outdoor activities to keep the nature lover happy. Thirty campsites are available for those wishing to stay overnight to take advantage of the parks hiking, biking, horseback riding, and canoeing opportunities. The park also has a visitors center featuring interesting displays and helpful park staff.

The Standing Rock Indian Reservation containing the town of Fort Yates is the home of the original burial ground of Sitting Bull. Marked by a boulder and plaque the site is down a dusty side road two miles west of highway 1806. Also of note on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation is the rock that gives the place its name. In the correct lighting conditions, this unique rock is said to resemble a seated woman wearing a shawl.

North-west of Bismarck the Missouri widens to form Lake Sakakawea, a long lake well stocked with fish which is harnessed to supply power by the Garrison Dam at the south end. The State Park round the lake offers scope for a variety of leisure activities.

The Enchanted Highway has folk art sculptures located every few miles southbound from Interstate 94, east of Dickinson. The metal sculptures include a robot family, grasshoppers, pheasants, geese, deer and a silhouette of Theodore Roosevelt.

The World's Largest Metal Sculptures that line the Enchanted Highway were produced by artist Gary Greff from 1991 to 2002.

The Dakota Buttes Museum, located in the pleasant town of Hettinger, showcases various items from the days of the homesteaders. Of particular note is the antique threshing machine that has been exquisitely refurbished. Also of interest are the lovingly restored antique automobiles from the early part of the 20th Century. Those afraid of the dentist will want to be sure to take a pass on the display of early dental equipment!

History buffs will want to be sure to make the 37 km/ 23 mi trek southeast of Kulm to visit Whitestone Battlefield State Historic Site. It was here in 1863 that one of the fiercest battles between Indians and white soldiers took place. Today visitors will find a small museum near the battlefield and various plaques and markers dedicated to both the fallen Indians and white soldiers. If you fancy a picnic and a game of horseshoes, both are available at the site.

Lake LaMoure is a popular summer destination. Visitors come here to "play on the lake". Boating, fishing, and camping on the shores of Lake LaMoure are all part of the attraction.

The Toy Farmer Museum near LaMoure is located in an early 20th Century barn. The museum displays all kinds of miniature farm equipment and also contains a gift and souvenir shop. The Toy Farm Museum makes a unique stop while visiting this area.

Little Missouri National Grassland covers a large expanse of land that includes grassland and badlands. Contained within the National Grassland is Theodore Roosevelt National Park, one of North Dakotas most popular attractions. The Little Missouri National Grasslands are habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including elk, coyotes, deer, big horn sheep, prairie dogs, and more. Visitors can do a driving tour through the area or try some of the hiking trails.

Dory's Antique Car Museum hosts a number of vintage vehicles, and auto-related displays such as license plates from 1916 to present, old gas station signs, die-cast toys and a 1920s Buddy L Toys collection.

The owner, J.D. VanHorn, restores the vehicles himself and provides guided tours of the museum.

Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge located near Moffit is a birders paradise. Wildbird Magazine has listed the refuge as one of the top 10 birding sites in the United States. The Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge consists primarily of an alkaline lake that is 3.2 km/3m wide and 25.5 km/16m long. The refuge is also considered a Globally Important Bird Area and a Western Shorebird Reserve Network site.

The Bagg Bonanza Farm was owned by F.A. Bagg which he began in the early 20th Century. The property is now operated by the Bagg Bonanza Farm Historic Preservation Society. The Bagg Farm is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as the State Historic Sites Registry. Restoration of the 15 acre farm began in the early 1990s and is on going with the intention of once again beginning agricultural production.

The Paul Broste Rock Museum located in Parshall is home to a wild variety of interesting rocks. Housed in a very sturdy stone building, an attraction in itself, visitors will find rare and priceless stones that Paul Broste collected starting in 1920. The museum first opened in 1965 and was nicknamed the "Acropolis on the Hill" due to its unusual design. Of particular note are the fluoride crystals apparently found nowhere else on earth.

Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery lies on the Missouri River below Lake Sakakawea. Fish produced here are used to stock the reservoir which is a popular fishing area.

Sheyenne National Grassland is, as the name suggests, a grassland area that provides habitat for a range of birds, animals, and insects. Sheyenne National Grassland is particularly noteworthy for the large population of greater prairie chicken it supports. Also of interest are some rare and threatened plant life found in and around the grasslands. Visitors to the area can enjoy hiking, canoeing, camping, horseback riding, and bird watching.

The Ludwig Welk Farmstead: Home of Lawrence Welk, located in Strasburg, is dedicated to the man who led his famous orchestra and entertained many over the years. The homestead features a clapboard home filled with memorabilia related to the man himself along with his parents. Visitors can stroll through the house and grounds which include a number of outbuildings.

The Valley City National Fish Hatchery near the city of the same name makes for a fun afternoon outing. Here visitors will see millions of fingerlings and learn all about the fish hatching process. The Valley City National Fish Hatchery is one of only two fish hatcheries in North Dakota. The facility has 13 rearing ponds spread totaling 25.8 acres. The US Fish and Wildlife Service operates the Valley City National Fish Hatchery and visitors are always welcome.

Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site highlights the life and times of Antoine Blanc Gingras, Metis businessman and legislator. Located just outside of Walhalla, this small, perfectly preserved trading post is well worth a visit if you are in the area. The buildings were built in 1840 and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Pioneer Museum in Watford City offers insight into the life and times of the pioneers. Displays from the late 19th and early 20th Century offer a glimpse into life in North Dakota during this time period.

Bonanzaville USA features a recreated historic town with a combination of reconstructed and historic building representing the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Among the collection is an old town hall, courthouse, creamery, school, drug store, and more. Visitors can wander through Bonanzaville to get a glimpse into some of North Dakota's heritage.

The Dale and Martha Hawk Museum in Wolford showcases the equipment of the 19th Century. Visitors will find a collection of buildings including an old church and Martha's Kitchen, a covered patio area with seating. Of particular note are the displays of "Old Iron" steam engines and automobiles from the early 20th Century. Camping is available for motor homes and tents.