North Dakota Tourism’s tagline is “Be Legendary.” This looks as if a tall order for a state that’s typically ignored 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 highway journey, it begins to make extra sense.
With wide-open areas, scenic vistas, and quirky roadside points of interest, North Dakota presents what I like most a couple of U.S. highway journey. Plus, I cherished 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 may go to get away from all of it, and also you don’t even want to move 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 highway journey.
Many individuals will plan a visit to North Dakota only for per week of fishing or different outside adventures. However, we determined to cross the state on a North Dakota highway journey as a part of our a lot bigger midwest highway journey. My aim was to see as a lot as we may alongside Interstate 94 as we drove from Fargo within the east all the way in which 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 highway journey itinerary is meant for a 5-day highway journey. I’ll cowl what to see every day, the place to remain alongside the way in which and the greatest roadside points of interest which are price a pitstop in your ND highway journey.
North Dakota Fun Facts
But first, a couple of enjoyable info. 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’ record 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 discover uncommon white buffalo in Jamestown within the wild herds that roam in Frontier Village
- Lewis & Clark met Sakakawea in North Dakota (study 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, situated 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 house 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 may go to when you have extra time in North Dakota, I’d suggest testing the North Dakota tourism web site.
North Dakota Road Trip Itinerary
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Day 1: Fargo
Start off your North Dakota highway journey in Fargo, essentially 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 in all probability wish to spend a little bit time in Fargo earlier than hitting the highway. 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 quite a lot 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 might be visiting with children, it’s possible you’ll wish 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 outdated 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 automotive museum, the pioneer phone museum, the Les Melroe tractor museum, and the airplane museum.
Fargo has different in style museums together with the Fargo Air Museum, with a choice of historic flyable airplanes, and the Plains Art Museum, with regional modern paintings, American Modernism, and conventional and modern Native American displays.
While you might be on the town, be sure you 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 yow will discover 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 normally seen from Interstate 94. However, it’s price getting off the freeway for a pitstop in your option to Bismarck. A go to begins with an introductory movie after which has a collection of interactive and rotating displays. The displays on the Bison Museum are meant to show in regards to the pure historical past, cultural significance, and physiology of the Bison. It is an ideal spot to study extra in regards to the bison you will note on the museum after which later in your North Dakota highway journey.
After the museum, you may stroll by 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 Monday.
Of course, you may’t go away Jamestown with out pictures with Dakota Thunder, the World’s Largest Buffalo! You might wish to carry alongside a little bit 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 heart 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 equivalent to Lewis and Clark. Just a brief drive away from the Interpretive Center is a full-size reproduction of Fort Mandan, the place you will get a first-hand expertise of what the Lewis & Clark Expedition’s Corps of Discovery’s life was like by 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 might be visiting throughout the summer time, it’s possible you’ll wish to contemplate reserving a sundown or dinner cruise on the Lewis & Clark Riverboat on the Missouri River. These 90-minute cruises are a good way to wind down after a busy day and a enjoyable option to expertise a traditional steamship.
You may wish to try a few of Bismarck’s native breweries, such because the Stonehome Brewing Company or the Laughing Sun Brewing Co. For upscale eating, guide 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 provides a view of Bismarck and the encircling space.
Another vital website 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 right now. You will find out about every little thing from dinosaurs to indigenous peoples to the event of agriculture within the area. There are even displays on the state’s atomic bomb shelters and Air Force missile launch heart.
While there may be extra to see in Bismarck, you in all probability wish to hit the highway for the 2 hour drive to Medora, as a result of there are some enjoyable roadside points of interest to cease and see alongside the way in which. The first can be Salem Sue in North Salem, which is half-hour west of Bismarck. Salem Sue is a big fiberglass Holstein cow sculpture, which is situated 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 trade 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 highway with a collection of large metallic sculptures. The Enchanted Highway begins at Exit 72 on I-94 close to Gladstone and ends 30 miles down the highway within the small city of Regent.
Beginning with “Geese in Flight” at Exit 72, giant metallic sculptures are positioned alongside the county freeway, every with parking space and kiosk. Sculptures embody “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 subsequent two days exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The Park is damaged into three models, the North Unit, the Elkhorn Ranch Unit, and the most-popular South Unit. These models 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 models, 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 recommend beginning within the South Unit and drive the 48-mile scenic loop drive. You are sure to see prairie canine cities, feral herds of untamed horses, bison herds, and presumably some elk.
If you cease off on the customer heart, you may ask the park rangers for the place to search out wildlife that day and in addition get the inside track on a few of the greatest hikes. Just remember that some back-country hikes contain crossing the river, which can be knee-deep, so carry applicable footwear (or a change of footwear).
We significantly loved the Ridgeline Nature Trail, which is just .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 frightened of heights.)
The Buck Hill Trail can also be definitely worth the one-mile drive off the Scenic Loop. Again, it begins with a brief climb however then you might be 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, you’ll want to guide 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 just simply don’t discover elsewhere. Even the largest skeptics will get into the toe-tapping enjoyable.
If you’ve got 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 highway journey to both Billings, Montana or Rapid City, South Dakota in your flight house.
Personally, I might suggest driving south on Highway 85 by the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, about 3.5 to 4-hours to both Spearfish or Deadwood, South Dakota, within the Black Hills. If you’ve got time for a 7-10 day highway journey, spend a couple of days exploring the various issues to do within the Black Hills, together with visiting Badlands National Park, and full your journey with a South Dakota highway journey.
Alternatively, when you have two weeks, you could possibly proceed on to Montana and embody a go to to both Yellowstone National Park or Glacier National Park.
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