Five Amazing Day Trips: North Dakota

A trip to North Dakota, the gateway to the American West, offers unspoiled natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities across each of its three travel regions. The charming small cities and towns feature true downhome experiences with local cuisine, boutique stores, and galleries. Take an unforgettable road trip across the state, making stops at the many historic sites while exploring the northern plains, wide open prairies, pristine grasslands, and the famous badlands. The state park system includes 13 sites that attract visitors for long weekends of hiking, biking, fishing, and overnight stays at the many campgrounds. There may be long drives between stops, but there are must-see attractions for everyone in North Dakota. Our day trip recommendations begin in Bismarck and highlight many of the great destinations in this legendary state.

Here are five great day trip destinations across the Peace Garden State:

Mandan (Parks & Recreation)

Just a 10-minute drive from Bismarck, Mandan is the location of Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, the oldest state park in North Dakota. The area has long been the location of Native American villages, trading posts, and military installations due to its strategic location along the Missouri River. The state park is a great place for outdoor recreation, but its main attraction is the replica 16th century Mandan On-A-Slant Indian Village and the reconstructed 19th century U.S. Military Fort, which includes the former home of Colonel George Custer. For the history buff, the park offers living history and interpretive tours of the Custer House, Block House, Storehouse, and Granary as well as the Mandan On-A-Slant Village. The guides, dressed in period clothing, take you back to the late 1800’s and provide insight into the Mandan Indian culture. For the outdoor enthusiast, there’s hiking, biking, or horseback riding on the extensive and scenic trail system.

Medora (Parks & Recreation)

A two-hour drive directly west of Bismarck takes you to Medora to experience the wide-open expanses of the Little Missouri National Grassland and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This off-the-beaten-path day trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park awards visitors with the beautiful landscape of the North Dakota badlands. The park is a year-round destination with three visitor centers across the four park areas. Popular recreational activities include scenic drives, hiking, cross-country skiing, ranger-led programs, and wildlife viewing. The true national park fan will want to venture out to the Elk Horn Unit, the location of Theodore Roosevelt’s “home ranch,” a place he spent time after the passing of his wife and mother. If you are looking for a bucket list experience for hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding, the Maah Daah Hey Trail System consists of 193 miles of trails that wind through the national park and national grasslands. Considered North Dakota’s best kept secret, the trail traverses across the geological features in the area, from rolling prairies and plateaus to jagged peaks and valleys. For multi-day trips, campgrounds are conveniently located along the way and have potable water and bathroom facilities.

Minot (Museums & Attractions)

Nicknamed “The Magic City”, Minot is located about 100 miles north of Bismarck and is home to the Scandinavian Heritage Park, the only place of its kind that celebrates and memorializes all five Scandinavian cultures. Start this day trip at the reception area in Plaza Scandinavia, a work of art depicting the five Nordic countries, each represented by a different color of granite tile. Spend the day exploring the points of interest around the park— a few of the highlights will definitely include the full-size replica of the Gol Stave Church, the replica Stabbur storehouse, the 230-year-old Sigdal House, and the 30-foot-tall colorful Dala horse statue. There are many great photo opportunities, but the Danish Windmill might be the most photographed of them all. After your visit, head to downtown Minot and its Riverwalk to visit the boutique galleries, unique stores, and local restaurants.

Jamestown (Museums & Attractions)

To check the World’s Largest Buffalo off your bucket list, head 100 miles east of Bismarck to the small city of Jamestown. It won’t be hard to find the 26-foot-tall sculpture of an American Bison or two other great attractions— the Frontier Village and National Buffalo Museum. The unique 6,000-square-foot museum is conveniently located in a rustic log building in the Frontier Village. Explore exhibits focused on the complicated history of the bison, from the time of massive herds covering much of the plains to the near extinction and restoration of the species. There’s more to see outside— Frontier Village is a collection of original building from North Dakota that have been relocated, preserved, and filled with artifacts to create a historic treasure. This is your chance to walk through the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot, a frontier school, church and North Dakota bank. Before leaving the area, find the small American Bison herd— about 25-30 head roam the 200 acres on the north and south sides of I-94.

Washburn (Parks & Recreation)

Located in the northern plains along the Missouri River, the small city of Washburn is 40 miles north of Bismarck and the approximate location where Sacagawea joined the Lewis and Clark Expedition. This day trip takes you to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, which focuses on the expedition’s winter with the Mandan Indians. The center tells the stories from 1804 to 1805 through state-of-the-art exhibits and hundreds of period artifacts, including a replica of one of the expedition’s canoes. The main attraction is the full-scale, fully furnished replica of Fort Mandan. Choose to explore the fort on your own or take an interpreter-led tour to learn about this historic site and related events that shaped the American West.

**Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many states have travel restrictions and attractions may be temporarily closed or have limited hours. We direct you to their websites for updates and add them to your list for future travels!