What to do and see in North Dakota, United States: The Best National Parks

April 6, 2022 Layne Dawes

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. North Unit

208 Scenic Dr, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND 58854-9265 +1 701-623-4466 http://www.nps.gov/thro
Excellent
69%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 154 reviews

North Unit

One half of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, separated from the rest of the park by almost 50 miles.

Reviewed By pasweet - Dayton, United States

I find it interesting to read the reviews that tout either the north or south unit of the park as best. They each have their good points. I would recommend going to the south unit visitors center first as it is more complete. There is no prairie dog town in the north section and the south has several huge active towns. We saw more animals in the south but we did see several herds of buffalo in the north including some animals very near the road. Three things the north unit uniquely has include: —way fewer people — cannon ball concretions which are very cool structures —the most popular view in all of North Dakota which includes the little Missouri River and the badlands. In fact this view was a contributing factor in this land becoming a federal park (according to the park ranger) In my view both sections offer unique natural experiences and everyone who can should visit both

3. Little Missouri National Grassland

Watford City, ND
Excellent
60%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
7%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 30 reviews

Little Missouri National Grassland

Reviewed By kathycO85VZ - Ashland, United States

I have to agree after numerous miles of grass lands it gets a little boring. BUT, you have to remember history and this is how our ancestors viewed it and thank you GOD there's still untouched lands in America..!!

4. Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge

Kenmare, ND +1 701-385-4046 http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/byways/find/deslacs/index.html
Excellent
54%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13 reviews

Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge

5. Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Medora, ND 58645 +1 701-623-4466 http://www.nps.gov/thro/
Excellent
78%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,750 reviews

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Reviewed By Lovetotravelon

Theodore Roosevelt National Park it's one of our favorite places to go. We love the north unit the best. The camping has potable water available but you must use your camper electricity and sewer. Although there are restrooms. It is a beautiful park for hiking and seeking out animals in their natural habitat. The campground hosts are good to warn when the largest of the animals are roaming nearby but sometimes ya just gotta be alert. Most of the animals are born in the park so the animals are used to us humans, but be cautious they are still wild animals. An early morning or late evening drive is a good viewing time. Some of the animals we have been privileged to see are wild turkeys, rattle snakes, wild horses, mule deer, prairie dogs, kestrel, golden eagles, bison, mountain sheep, bats, fox, badger, elk, white tail deer, coyotes, long horn steer. Hope I haven't missed some. The hiking trails are unique, one follows a crevice in the ground, one crosses flat land to a prairie dog town, several hikes stay on high ground with beautiful scenery all the way. Some call it the bad lands, but it doesn't look bad to me, it is gorgeous. The south unit has its unique hiking trails also. So hard to explain, ya just have to go and experience it all yourself. The south unit has the tiny town of Medora nearby. Don't overlook this amazing National Park. It is...well just amazing.

6. Cannonball Concretions Pullout

North Unit Scenic Drive Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Watford City, ND 58854 +1 701-623-4466 http://www.nps.gov/thro/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Excellent
74%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Cannonball Concretions Pullout

Reviewed By BeautifulBadlandsND - Wilton, United States

Perfectly round rocks as large as a small car, or as small as a volley ball litter the marked trail in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

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