Prairie
Prairie Wildflowers
Vast wildflower meadows bloom across the state in summer — sunflowers, coneflowers, and prairie roses create a natural tapestry.
Learn more →Discover North Dakota
Epic landscapes, historic trails, roadside wonders & hidden gems — all waiting for you.
The Peace Garden State
More to Explore Than You Ever Imagined
North Dakota is one of America's most underrated travel destinations. Yes, it's known for flat prairies — but the western third is dramatically different: sculpted Badlands, canyon vistas, and some of the most pristine wildlife habitat in North America.
From the eastern Red River Valley (home to Fargo and Grand Forks) across rolling plains to the rugged Badlands in the west, every region rewards curious travelers with authentic, crowd-free experiences.
- Theodore Roosevelt NP — America's most peaceful national park
- Native American cultural heritage — Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
- Enchanted Highway — world's largest metal sculptures
- International Peace Garden on the US–Canada border
National Park · Western ND
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Established to honor the 26th president's formative years in the Badlands, Theodore Roosevelt National Park protects 70,000+ acres of wild terrain where TR ranched in the 1880s and developed the conservation philosophy that would define his presidency.
The park is divided into two units — the popular South Unit near Medora, and the more remote (but spectacular) North Unit near Watford City. Both offer stunning scenic drives, excellent hiking, and extraordinary wildlife viewing year-round.
70,447Acres Protected
~700KAnnual Visitors
2 UnitsSouth & North
$357-Day Vehicle Pass
Year-RoundBoth Units Open
1 hrNorth Unit extra drive
Top Experiences
- Scenic Drive (South Unit) — 36-mile loop past wildlife, canyons & prairies
- Painted Canyon Overlook — FREE, just off I-94 (no park entrance fee)
- Wind Canyon Trail — short (1.1 mi), big payoff canyon views
- Wildlife viewing — bison, wild horses, elk, prairie dogs, pronghorn
- Maah Daah Hey Trail — 144-mile backcountry trail connecting both units
- Maltese Cross Cabin — TR's original ranch cabin (South Unit Visitor Center)
- North Unit Scenic Drive — 14-mile road with panoramic views
Accessibility note: The Painted Canyon Visitor Center and South Unit Visitor Center are fully accessible. The scenic drives are wheelchair-friendly. Several short paved trails near visitor centers are ADA-compliant.
America's Most Peaceful NP
Uncrowded & breathtaking
Historic Town · Gateway to Badlands
Medora — The Gem of the Badlands
Founded in 1883 by the Marquis de Morès, this tiny frontier town (pop. ~112) at the edge of the Badlands has become North Dakota's most beloved destination. With its boardwalk, historic buildings, world-famous outdoor musical, and proximity to TRNP, Medora delivers an unforgettable western experience.
Every summer evening, the Medora Musical fills the Burning Hills Amphitheatre (seats 2,900) with a spectacular patriotic show against a natural Badlands backdrop — one of the most unique outdoor theater experiences in the country.
Must-Do in Medora
- Medora Musical — summer evenings at Burning Hills Amphitheatre
- Chateau de Morès — historic site & museum of the Marquis
- Theodore Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin — in nearby TRNP
- Harold Schafer Heritage Center — local history museum
- Dining & shopping on the historic boardwalk
- Horseback riding — multiple outfitters
- Sunset views — countless overlooks surround the town
Best Strategy: Stay 2 nights in Medora — one for the Medora Musical and exploring town, the second for a full day in TRNP South Unit. Book the Musical tickets well in advance for summer. Season runs June through early September.
Medora Musical
June – September • Book Ahead
Roadside Art · Self-Drive Route
Enchanted Highway
Created by local artist Gary Greff, the Enchanted Highway stretches 32 miles south from I-94 (exit 72) to the town of Regent. Along the way, seven enormous metal sculptures rise from the prairie — the world's largest collection of scrap metal art.
The sculptures include Geese in Flight (the world's largest metal sculpture at 110 feet tall), Grasshoppers in the Field, Pheasants on the Prairie, and Fisherman's Dream. Admission is free — just fill your tank and enjoy the drive.
32 milesTotal route
7Giant sculptures
FREENo admission
110 ftTallest sculpture
Year-RoundWeather permitting
~45 minOff I-94 exit 72
- Geese in Flight — world's largest metal sculpture (geese)
- Grasshoppers in the Field — giant grasshoppers crawl the prairie
- Pheasants on the Prairie — massive pheasant flock sculpture
- Deer Crossing — whitetail deer tableau
- Fisherman's Dream — fish & pelicans at Regent
- Enchanted Castle Museum in Regent (small donation)
Recreation Area · Central ND
Lake Sakakawea — North Dakota's Inland Sea
Stretching 178 miles across central North Dakota, Lake Sakakawea is one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States. Named for the Shoshone woman who guided Lewis & Clark, this vast reservoir behind Garrison Dam offers world-class outdoor recreation.
The lake is legendary among anglers — especially for walleye, chinook salmon, northern pike, and smallmouth bass. Boating, swimming, camping, and wildlife watching are equally popular.
Activities at Lake Sakakawea
- World-class walleye fishing — some of North America's best
- Boating & sailing — multiple marinas and boat ramps
- Camping — dozens of state park and Corps of Engineers campgrounds
- Garrison Dam tour — one of the largest earth-fill dams in the US
- Fort Stevenson State Park — beach, marina, camping
- Birdwatching — pelicans, eagles, herons along the shores
World-Class Walleye
178 miles of pristine water
International Landmark · Northern ND
International Peace Garden
Established in 1932 to symbolize the enduring peace between Canada and the United States, the International Peace Garden straddles the border between North Dakota and Manitoba. The 2,339-acre park features formal gardens, a cascading fountain, the iconic Peace Tower, and the world's longest peace garden.
Nestled in the Turtle Mountains near Dunseith, this serene destination is a UNESCO-recognized site and one of North Dakota's most unique and photogenic attractions.
2,339Acres
1932Established
2 NationsUS & Canada
$25Vehicle entry (2024)
May–OctBest season
3 hrsFrom Minot
- Formal floral gardens — thousands of annuals planted each spring
- Peace Tower — iconic 120-foot tower visible for miles
- International Music Camp — renowned summer camp on grounds
- Floral clock — world-famous seasonal floral clock
- Hiking trails — through Turtle Mountain forests
- Passport stamp — cross the border freely within the garden
National Historic Site · Central ND
Knife River Indian Villages
One of the most significant Native American historic sites in the northern Great Plains, Knife River Indian Villages NHS preserves the remains of three earthlodge villages occupied by the Hidatsa people for centuries before Lewis & Clark arrived in 1804.
It was here that Lewis & Clark wintered near the villages and met Sacagawea — the Shoshone woman whose guidance would prove invaluable to the Corps of Discovery. The site features an excellent museum, reconstructed earthlodge, and walking trails through the ancient village depressions.
- Hidatsa cultural museum — artifacts, exhibits, and oral histories
- Reconstructed earthlodge — step inside traditional village architecture
- Lewis & Clark connection — where Sacagawea joined the expedition
- Village site trails — walk through 1,000+ years of history
- FREE admission to the NHS
- Nearby Fort Mandan — replica of Lewis & Clark winter quarters
Combine with: Drive 5 miles west to Stanton, then continue to Garrison Dam and Lake Sakakawea for a full day of central ND history and nature. Fort Clark Trading Post is also nearby.
State Capital · Central ND
Bismarck — The Capital City
North Dakota's capital city sits at the geographic heart of the state along the Missouri River. Beyond being a government hub, Bismarck offers excellent museums, a riverfront district, and access to outstanding state parks and Native American sites.
- North Dakota State Capitol — the tallest capitol building in the US (19-story art deco skyscraper)
- State Historical Society Museum — world-class Native American and pioneer exhibits
- Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park — where Custer departed for Little Bighorn; Mandan earthlodge village
- Double Ditch Indian Village — large Mandan earthlodge village site, free access
- Missouri River Levee Walk — riverside trails and parks
- Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center (Washburn, 30 mi north)
Tallest US State Capitol
19-story Art Deco skyscraper
Natural Beauty
Prairies, Wildflowers & Hidden Nature
Beyond the Badlands, North Dakota's rolling prairies, pothole lakes, and wildflower meadows are achingly beautiful — and almost completely undiscovered by visitors.
Wildlife
Wildlife Watching
Bison, wild horses, elk, pronghorn, prairie dogs, eagles and 300+ bird species make North Dakota a wildlife paradise.
TRNP Wildlife Guide →
Road Trip
Scenic Byways
North Dakota's scenic byways reveal stunning landscapes — the Maah Daah Hey, Missouri River Corridor, and Sheyenne Valley are highlights.
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