Things to do in North Dakota, United States: The Best Historic Walking Areas

February 11, 2022 Karren Gelb

If you’ve never thought much about North Dakota, maybe it’s time you started. Boasting miles and miles of hiking trails, including the Lewis and Clark trail, in addition to multiple museums, golf courses, casinos and amusement parks, North Dakota is bursting with things to do. Situated smack between the Great Lakes and the Pacific Ocean, North Dakota was once called “America’s Most Affordable Vacation Site” by the American Automobile Association. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark are two of North Dakota’s most famous residents. Tracing the courses of the Missouri and Columbia and rivers, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail stretches through 11 states. Thanks to their explorations, visitors to North Dakota with an interest in history can do some exploring of their own. Bismarck is not only the capital of the state, it’s also home to several Lewis and Clark historical sites including Fort Yates, where the pair stopped to trade with the Mandan Indians. For family fun in Bismarck, don’t miss the Dakota Zoo and Raging Rivers Waterpark. With more golf courses per capita than any other state (11 in Bismarck and Fargo alone), golf lovers are sure to find a course to their liking. Agri-tourism is also a popular activity in North Dakota, which ranks first in the production of spring wheat, durum wheat, sunflowers, barley, honey and other crops.
Restaurants in North Dakota

1. South Unit

26611 U.S. Hwy 385, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND 58645 +1 701-623-4466 http://www.nps.gov/thro/index.htm
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 241 reviews

South Unit

Popular area of the park for hiking and horseback riding.

Reviewed By dreamspeaker - Middleton, United States

We spent a few hours here on our way out to Yellowstone NP from Wisconsin, thinking it would be a pleasant diversion that would only merit a couple hours. We vastly underrated this park. Even doing a whirlwind tour (driving as much of the loop as we could, part was washed out, and taking two short hikes), it took us about 4 hours, which we were happy to spend. We could have enjoyed it for much longer. This national park has a little bit of everything - bison, prairie dogs, badlands, wild horses, windswept trees and prickly pear cactus, and we even saw a dung beetle! Driving the loop road is very pleasant. I don't think we spent enough time to ensure these were the BEST hikes, but we did hike out onto a trail that poked out into a canyon, and also did the coal vein hike which was very nice because hardly anyone else was out there. My only tip is to be aware of wildlife. On the coal vein hike, we had to stop because a bison was on the path between us and our car and we kept a good distance of at least 25 yards like we were supposed to. Bison can be very dangerous. Apparently, the tourists who pulled in while we waited to proceed were unaware of this and proceeded to approach the bison from behind to try to touch it. Thankfully, the bison only glared at them, but don't do this. Bison are dangerous animals when provoked.

2. Painted Canyon Overlook

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND +1 701-575-4020 http://www.nps.gov/thro/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm
Excellent
72%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 245 reviews

Painted Canyon Overlook

Begin your visit to the Teddy Roosevelt National Park with a spectacular view of the Badlands, a flat desert landscape broken by petrified wood and rock formations.

Reviewed By workhardplayhard27 - Mantorville, United States

If you don't have time for a visit to Theodore Roosevelt National Park this overlook gives you a small taste of what you are missing. The vistas at this rest stop are breathtaking, especially at dawn and dusk when the light changes the appearance of the various rock hues. There is no charge for this overlook, plenty of parking, and public restrooms. Really no excuse not to take a stop her.

3. Knife River Indian Villages Historic Site

564 County Road 37 Stanton, ND, ND 58571 +1 701-745-3300 http://www.nps.gov/knri/
Excellent
45%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 77 reviews

Knife River Indian Villages Historic Site

Reviewed By Duendeky - Bargersville, United States

If you really appreciate the history of Native Americans and of the American westward expansion this place is a must visit. The beside is a simple one filled with information. The Rangers were incredibly helpful and had much information. We did this in conjunction with visiting Fort Mandan and the Lewis and Clark interpretive Center and had a couple of observations that were really eye-opening towards us. Visiting the Earth Lodge here at Knife River you will see an incredible way that people lived on the Plains. And then if you walk into the small rooms in Fort Mandan you will realize that you would much rather live in an earth Lodge any day then in the bedrooms in the fort.

4. Dinosaurs of the Prairie

Highway 34, Napoleon, ND http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/34199
Excellent
75%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8 reviews

Dinosaurs of the Prairie

5. Patterson Lake Recreational Area

SW of Dickinson, Dickinson, ND 58601 +1 701-456-2070 [email protected]
Excellent
50%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
5%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 22 reviews

Patterson Lake Recreational Area

Features boating, fishing, swimming, water skiiing, camping, picnic areas, playgrounds, disc golf, horseshoe pits, mountain biking, nature areas, and sand volleyball courts.

6. Chief Lookings Village

Northwest Burnt Boat Drive, Bismarck, ND, Bismarck, ND 58501 http://www.ndtourism.com/bismarck/attractions/chief-lookings-village
Excellent
25%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
0%
Terrible
8%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 12 reviews

Chief Lookings Village

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