North Dakota Tourism’s tagline is “Be Legendary.” This looks like a tall order for a state that’s typically missed as a vacationer vacation spot. But when you expertise the pure magnificence and wealthy historical past of the Peace Garden State on a North Dakota street journey, it begins to make extra sense.
With wide-open areas, scenic vistas, and quirky roadside sights, North Dakota presents what I like most a few U.S. street journey. Plus, I liked cruising throughout the state, stretching the boundaries of the 75 MPH pace restrict, with no visitors in entrance or beside me on the Interstate. North Dakota is a spot the place you possibly can go to get away from all of it, and also you don’t even want to go down a rustic lane into the backwoods to flee the crowds. It simply isn’t crowded. Anywhere.
North Dakota additionally has a wealthy historical past that features many vital figures like Lewis & Clark, Sitting Bull, Sakakawea, and Theodore Roosevelt. This background lends itself to many vital stops alongside a North Dakota street journey.
Many individuals will plan a visit to North Dakota only for every week of fishing or different out of doors adventures. However, we determined to cross the state on a North Dakota street journey as a part of our a lot bigger midwest street journey. My objective was to see as a lot as we might alongside Interstate 94 as we drove from Fargo within the east all the best way over to Medora within the west.
You can spend as a lot time as you want exploring the scenic byways and cities, however this North Dakota street journey itinerary is meant for a 5-day street journey. I’ll cowl what to see every day, the place to remain alongside the best way and the greatest roadside sights which are value a pitstop in your ND street journey.
North Dakota Fun Facts
But first, a number of enjoyable details. Did you already know?
- North Dakota is the second least-visited state within the United States, with simply over 22 million guests per 12 months
- North Dakota produces extra sunflowers than some other state within the U.S.
- North Dakota is the nineteenth largest state, however with a inhabitants of lower than 780,000 as of 2020, making it the 4th least populous and 4th most sparsely populated state
- Living in what would change into North Dakota put Theodore Roosevelt on the trail to the Presidency and impressed his conservation efforts (therefore Theodore Roosevelt National Park is discovered there)
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park was named #5 on the New York Times’ checklist of must-see locations in 2016
- The world’s largest buffalo (statue) is present in Jamestown, ND (26 ft of roadside attraction pleasure) and you too can discover Salem Sue, the world’s largest Holstein cow statue in New Salem, ND
- You may also discover uncommon white buffalo in Jamestown within the wild herds that roam in Frontier Village
- Lewis & Clark met Sakakawea in North Dakota (be taught extra on the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center)
- Fort Union, ND was house to Hugh Glass, the fur dealer performed by Leonardo DiCaprio within the film The Revenant
- The city of Rugby, North Dakota, is called the “Geographic Center of North America”
- The International Peace Garden, positioned on the North Dakota/Canada border, is the world’s largest unfortified border crossing
- North Dakota has the best variety of church buildings per capita of any state within the U.S.
Native American Culture in North Dakota
North Dakota occupies area on the ancestral lands of First Nations cultures together with the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara; the Yanktonai, Sisseton, Wahpeton, Hunkpapa and different Dakota/Lakota/Nakota (generally often called the Sioux) tribes; and the Chippewa and Metis. For extra details about Native American tradition in North Dakota and vital websites you possibly can go to when you’ve got extra time in North Dakota, I’d advocate trying out the North Dakota tourism web site.
North Dakota Road Trip Itinerary
Note: This submit could comprise affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.
Day 1: Fargo
Start off your North Dakota street journey in Fargo, probably the most populated metropolis within the state. We drove in from Minneapolis, however you too can fly into Fargo Hector International Airport (FAR), which has direct flights from 11 airports together with Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Nashville, Orlando-Sanford, Phoenix-Mesa, Phoenix-Sky Harbor, and St. Pete-Clearwater (some are seasonal).
You will most likely need to spend just a little time in Fargo earlier than hitting the street. Fargo has a vibrant downtown with eating places, breweries, theaters, and humanities venus. Fans of the film Fargo ought to cease on the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center to see the notorious wooden chipper from the film. There are a number of different film tie-ins round city together with the Woodchip Marge statue on the Fargo Theatre, attempt the Woodchipper IPA at Rhombus Guys Pizza, pattern the Woodchipper Rhubarb Wine at Maple River Valley Winery, or choose up some chocolate-covered potato “chippers” at Carol Widman’s.
If you’re visiting with children, you might need to go to the Red River Zoo, house to 300 animals from 75 species, or the Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm. To begin to get a way of the previous west, cease at Bonanzaville, USA in West Fargo to see 40 historic buildings together with Fargo’s First House, Dobrinz Schoolhouse, the Embden Train depot, the Houston House, the Dahl automobile museum, the pioneer phone museum, the Les Melroe tractor museum, and the airplane museum.
Fargo has different widespread museums together with the Fargo Air Museum, with a number of historic flyable airplanes, and the Plains Art Museum, with regional modern art work, American Modernism, and conventional and modern Native American reveals.
While you’re on the town, you should definitely get donuts at Sandy’s Donuts, ice cream at Silver Lining Creamery, and pretzels at Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels.
Where to remain: Jasper Hotel in Fargo
Day 2: Fargo to Bismarck
Start off your second day with breakfast at Kroll’s Diner, a retro diner and household enterprise with 4 areas in Fargo. After fueling up, hop onto Interstate 94 West and drive two hours west Jamestown, the place you could find the National Buffalo Museum, Frontier Village, and Dakota Thunder, the World’s Largest Buffalo.
The National Bison Museum in Jamestown has two bison herds, that are often seen from Interstate 94. However, it’s value getting off the freeway for a pitstop in your method to Bismarck. A go to begins with an introductory movie after which has a sequence of interactive and rotating reveals. The reveals on the Bison Museum are supposed to show in regards to the pure historical past, cultural significance, and physiology of the Bison. It is an ideal spot to be taught extra in regards to the bison you will note on the museum after which later in your North Dakota street journey.
After the museum, you possibly can stroll by way of the Frontier Village, which is made up of unique buildings from frontier villages throughout North Dakota, together with a Northern Pacific Railroad Depot (1880), Frontier School, Church, and Bank. There are even stagecoach rides that run from Thursday by way of Monday.
Of course, you possibly can’t go away Jamestown with out images with Dakota Thunder, the World’s Largest Buffalo! You could need to convey alongside just a little tripod in case there isn’t another person round to take your picture.
From Jamestown, proceed west on Interstate 94 to Bismarck and north on Route 83 to the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, simply over two hours. This customer middle tells the story of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, specializing in the winter of 1804–1805, which Lewis & Clark spent at Fort Mandan.
This space was as soon as the crossroads of commerce on the Northern Plains, the place Mandan and Hidatsa peoples traded with trappers and reminiscent of Lewis and Clark. Just a brief drive away from the Interpretive Center is a full-size reproduction of Fort Mandan, the place you may get a first-hand expertise of what the Lewis & Clark Expedition’s Corps of Discovery’s life was like by way of interpreter-led excursions of the Fort, throughout the season, and particular occasions all year long.
From Fort Mandan, head again south to the Bismarck, the North Dakota state capital. If you’re visiting throughout the summer time, you might need to contemplate reserving a sundown or dinner cruise on the Lewis & Clark Riverboat on the Missouri River. These 90-minute cruises are an effective way to wind down after a busy day and a enjoyable method to expertise a traditional steamship.
You might also need to try a few of Bismarck’s native breweries, such because the Stonehome Brewing Company or the Laughing Sun Brewing Co. For upscale eating, ebook a reservation at Butterhorn, from Top Chef contestant Stephanie Miller.
Find a Hotel in Bismarck
Day 3: Bismarck – Medora
After staying the evening, take a while to discover the state capitol of Bismarck, beginning with a tour of the State Capitol constructing, with an remark deck on the 18th flooring that gives a view of Bismarck and the encircling space.
Another vital web site to see earlier than leaving Bismarck is the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum. The museum traces the state’s historical past from its geologic formation 600 million years in the past to immediately. You will find out about all the things from dinosaurs to indigenous peoples to the event of agriculture within the area. There are even reveals on the state’s atomic bomb shelters and Air Force missile launch middle.
While there’s extra to see in Bismarck, you most likely need to hit the street for the 2 hour drive to Medora, as a result of there are some enjoyable roadside sights to cease and see alongside the best way. The first might be Salem Sue in North Salem, which is half-hour west of Bismarck. Salem Sue is a big fiberglass Holstein cow sculpture, which is positioned proper off of the Interstate.
According to native historical past, one among New Salem’s early settlers was plowing the prairie in 1883 when two Sioux stopped to look at. They satisfied the farmers that the bottom was higher for grazing then planting, and New Salem’s dairy business was began. Today, Salem Sue holds the title of the “World’s Largest Cow.”
From New Salem, it’s about an hour to Gladstone and the start of the Enchanted Highway, which is a smaller street with a sequence of large metallic sculptures. The Enchanted Highway begins at Exit 72 on I-94 close to Gladstone and ends 30 miles down the street within the small city of Regent.
Beginning with “Geese in Flight” at Exit 72, massive metallic sculptures are positioned alongside the county freeway, every with parking space and kiosk. Sculptures embrace “World’s Largest Tin Family,” “Teddy Rides Again,” “Pheasants on the Prairie,” “Grasshoppers in the Field,” “Deer Crossing” and “Fisherman’s Dream.”
After making this detour and getting again to the Interstate, proceed one other 45 minutes west to the charming city of Medora and entrance to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Where to remain in Medora: Rough Riders Hotel or the Amble Inn
Day 4-5: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Plan to spend the following two days exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The Park is damaged into three items, the North Unit, the Elkhorn Ranch Unit, and the most-popular South Unit. These items are divided by the Little Missouri River and it’s 68 miles between the North Unit park entrance and the South Unit of the park. Therefore if you wish to cowl each items, you want a minimal of two days within the park.
There are many nice causes to go to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and the highest one is that it’s so uncrowded in comparison with different National Parks. I’d counsel beginning within the South Unit and drive the 48-mile scenic loop drive. You are certain to see prairie canine cities, feral herds of untamed horses, bison herds, and presumably some elk.
If you cease off on the customer middle, you possibly can ask the park rangers for the place to seek out wildlife that day and in addition get the inside track on a number of the greatest hikes. Just understand that some back-country hikes contain crossing the river, which can be knee-deep, so convey applicable sneakers (or a change of sneakers).
We significantly loved the Ridgeline Nature Trail, which is simply .6 miles however a few of it’s a steep climb. You will then stroll alongside the ridge line of the hills for stunning views (not for these terrified of heights.)
The Buck Hill Trail can be definitely worth the one-mile drive off the Scenic Loop. Again, it begins with a brief climb however then you’re on comparatively flat floor. On one aspect you’ll look throughout the grasslands, and if you’re fortunate, spy elk or bison. On the opposite aspect, there are stunning views of the colourful North Dakota Badlands.
After a day exploring the park, it would be best to ebook tickets upfront to attend the well-known Medora Musical. For the full-experience, join the Pitchfork Steakfry dinner that precedes the present. This entire expertise is a slice of Americana that you simply simply don’t discover elsewhere. Even the most important skeptics will get into the toe-tapping enjoyable.
If you’ve the time, spend your final day in North Dakota exploring extra of the park and having fun with the small city of Medora. Otherwise, proceed your street journey to both Billings, Montana or Rapid City, South Dakota to your flight house.
Personally, I might advocate driving south on Highway 85 by way of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, about 3.5 to 4-hours to both Spearfish or Deadwood, South Dakota, within the Black Hills. If you’ve time for a 7-10 day street journey, spend a number of days exploring the numerous issues to do within the Black Hills, together with visiting Badlands National Park, and full your journey with a South Dakota street journey.
Alternatively, when you’ve got two weeks, you would proceed on to Montana and embrace a go to to both Yellowstone National Park or Glacier National Park.
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