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Trips to Go
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The Heart of North Dakota
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Categories: History and Legends
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Suggested itinerary for traveling around the Heart of North Dakota in the Central Region from south to the northern border with Canada.
DAY 1
Bismarck-Mandan Area
Bismarck is the state capitol of North Dakota and the state’s second-largest city. It started as a railroad, riverboat and military Wild West boom town in the 1800s. Now it is home to the state’s largest museum, finest dining and greatest recreational asset in the Missouri River. Some of the attractions you should visit while in the capitol city:
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
- The 977-acre park is located on the banks of the Missouri River south of Mandan. The history goes back over 300 years when it was home to the Mandan Indians. Site of a military garrison in the mid-to-late 1800s. Exhibits relate to the life of the Mandan Indians and the military history of the fort. www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/FLSP.htm
On-A-Slant Indian Village
- At Fort Lincoln State Park, this village was once home to a thriving Mandan Indian population. Reconstructed earthlodges of the Mandan Indians at On-A-Slant Indian Village. www.fortlincoln.com
The Custer House
- At Fort Lincoln State Park, tour the home of General George and Libbie Custer, Reconstructed commissary storehouse, granary, barracks and stables. This was the last home and command of General George Armstrong Custer. It was from here that Custer and his 7th Cavalry rode to meet their fate at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. www.fortlincoln.com
Fort McKeen Blockhouses
- At Fort Lincoln State Park, infantry blockhouses set high on the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River. Same vantage point early cavalry soldiers had as they viewed the wide expanse of the Missouri River.
Fort Lincoln Trolley
- Restored trolley car offers a round-trip ride to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. Daily trips to the park running on the hour. 701-663-9018
North Dakota State Capitol
- The 19-story, Art Deco building was constructed in the early 1930s, often referred to as the “Skyscraper of the Prairie,” contains unique woods and materials from many states and countries. Tours available 701-328-2471 or 701-328-2480. www.nd.gov
North Dakota Heritage Center and Sakakawea Statue
- State's largest museum has an outstanding collection of Plains Indian artifacts and interpretive exhibits that feature North Dakota's varied American Indian, military and agricultural history and prehistory. www.nd.gov/hist
Lewis & Clark Riverboat
- 100-foot paddlewheeler features twin decks and a 70-foot cabin that can carry more than 150 people. Departs in the afternoon, also dinner and sunset cruises on the Missouri River. www.lewisandclarkriverboat.com
DAY 2
Washburn Area
Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
- World-class interpretive site along the route Lewis and Clark traveled almost 200 years ago. Bergquist Gallery features a rare set of the printed artworks of Swiss artist Karl Bodmer. Fort Clark exhibit presents information on steamboats, frontier trade and American Indian culture. www.fortmandan.com
Fort Mandan
- Reconstructed site of Fort Mandan, winter home of Lewis and Clark in 1804-1805. www.fortmandan.com
Stanton Area
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
- American Indians occupied this area for more than 11,000 years. This also is where Lewis & Clark met Sakakawea in 1804. Visit the ruins of an ancient Indian village last occupied in 1845, a collection of artifacts and a reconstructed American Indian earthlodge. www.nps.gov/knri
Sakakawea Region
Lake Sakakawea
- Lake Sakakawea starts just south of Williston and stretches out more than 150 miles to the southeast where it is contained by Garrison Dam, one of the largest earth-rolled dams in the world. It is the largest lake in North Dakota, measuring 609 square miles. The lake features hundreds of bays that add up to the lake’s more than 1,300 miles of shoreline.
Garrison Dam
- A mile-long dam which provides flood control and generates electricity. Tours of the powerhouse are available.
Audubon National Wildlife Refuge
- Refuge has a bird list of 221 species, many of which can be seen from an eight-mile auto tour route and a one-mile interpretive walking trail.
Minot Area
North Dakota State Fair Center
- Minot is the home to two of North Dakota’s largest events each year – the North Dakota State Fair and the Norsk Høstfest. www.ndstatefair.com/center/
Scandinavian Heritage Park
- The park is a tribute to the Scandinavian culture and ancestors who settled in the Minot area. it includes many buildings and statues, including a full-size replica of a Stav Church, an authentic Finish sauna, a Danish windmill, a 220-year-old house from Sigdal, Norway, and much more. www.scandinavianheritage.org
Roosevelt Zoo
- Home to the largest collection of exotic animals between Minneapolis and Seattle. The zoo is home to more than 200 mammals, birds and reptiles, including penguins, giraffes, kangaroos, leopards, lions, tigers, bears, and much more. The new river otter exhibit includes an underwater viewing area. www.rpzoo.com
DAY 3
Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge
- The 32,000-acre refuge lies in the beautiful Souris River valley of northwestern North Dakota and extends for nearly 30 miles along the Souris River. This is home to the Sprague’s Pipit, a rare North American bird. http://uppersouris.fws.gov/
J Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge
- Established in 1935 for the preservation and propagation of migratory waterfowl and other wildlife, the largest national wildlife refuge in the state is 58,700 acres in size. It extends along the Souris River for 50 miles in north-central North Dakota. The refuge serves as an important feeding and resting area for hundreds of thousands of waterfowl which annually migrate through the Central Flyway. The refuge has developed into one of the most important duck production areas in the United States. www.fws.gov/jclarksalyer/
Rugby
Geographical Center of North American
- In January 1931, a U.S. Geological Survey determined the center of North America in Pierce County. North America Continent: Latitude 48° 21’ 19" longitude 99° 59’ 57” West. The center is marked with a monument or cairn that is pyramid form in shape. It is 21 feet high, 6 feet wide at its base, and rests on a heart-shaped foundation. http://www.rugbynorthdakota.com/
Niewoehner Bell Tower
- A 34-foot tower features a collection of bells.
Northern Lights Tower
Turtle Mountain Region
International Peace Garden
- Located along the world’s longest unfortified border is a 2,339-acre botanical garden dedicated to world peace. This is one of the most spectacular floral gardens on the continent with more than 140,000 annuals planted each year. www.peacegarden.com/
Wee'l Turtle
- In Dunseith, this is a giant turtle made of tire rims in representation of the Turtle Mountain Region.
Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway
- The byway begins its upward accent winding through the serene beauty of the Turtle Mountains, passing farmsteads, pasture land, recreational areas, beautiful clear blue lakes, and tree-covered wildlife areas before descending into the foothills with a spectacular view of the prairie. Rich in history, this area provided trading and trapping for the early settlers. Buffalo herds were in abundance and wildlife still abounds in the area. Visitors can enjoy beautiful lakes, lush foliage, wildflowers and wildlife. http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/byways/find/turtlemountain/index.html
Lake Metigoshe
- The Chippewa called the lake "Metigoshe Washegum," or "clear water lake surrounded by oaks." Today, the lake is noted for its northern pike, walleye and perch. The rolling hills, aspen forests and small lakes attract nature and photography lovers to the area to capture these sights on film. The Old Oak Trail, a National Recreation Trail, is found within the park boundaries.
Bottineau
Pierre Bottineau Statue
- Placed in memory of an early fur trader and explorer for which the city and county of Bottineau are named.
Tommy Turtle Statue
- The large statue of Tommy Turtle riding a snowmobile is this area's local mascot.
DAY 4
Devils Lake Area
Fort Totten Historic Site
- Site preserves a military post built in 1867 and used continuously as a military reservation until 1890 when it became a boarding school for Indian children. Original buildings house museum exhibits. www.nd.gov/hist
Sully's Hill National Game Preserve
- President Theodore Roosevelt, by signing a presidential proclamation, set aside Sullys Hill as a National Park in 1904. In 1917 and 1918, elk, bison and white-tailed deer were reintroduced to Sullys Hill to further enhance its once native state. On March 3, 1931, Congress transferred Sullys Hill to the National Wildlife Refuge System where it would be maintained as a "Big Game Preserve, refuge and breeding grounds for wild animals and birds." www.fws.gov/sullyshill/
Devils Lake State Parks
- Consists of two parks and recreation areas on Devils Lake, the state's largest natural body of water. The park system includes Grahams Island State Park, the largest and most developed of the three state parks on the lake. Black Tiger Bay State Recreation Area is a boat access area with ramp and parking. The three areas provide a wealth of recreational opportunities for fishing, boating and nature watching. www.ndparks.com/parks/DLSP.htm
Spirit Lake Casino & Resort
- At present, Spirit Lake offers the widest variety of table games and the latest slot machines. The 139,800 square-foot resort complex includes a 124-room hotel with atrium pool area. Also included is a bingo hall that seats 450 and a 1,000-seat capacity auditorium. The marina has 70 slips, 45 have power and water, 30 with electricity only. The new RV park boasts 43 year-round sites and 20 seasonal sites. Guests can enjoy a panoramic view of the lake and surrounding area while dining at The View fine dining restaurant, located on the third floor of the casino. www.spiritlakecasino.com/
North Country National Scenic Trail
Carrington
Pipestem Creek/Sun Florals
- Hand-made SunFlorals (exquisite natural floral wreaths) and SunFeeders (edible bird feeders and birdhouses). Tours include extensive gardens, drying and production facilities and gift shop. There are three renovated granaries and a train depot and gift shop, which is in a restored 10-sided granary. www.pipestemcreek.com
Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge
- Tour features a 5½-mile interpretive auto route and visitors center. Watch for Hooded Mergansers and Common Goldeneyes among the variety of ducks you can find, as well as clay-colored and Grasshopper Sparrows among the assortment of prairie-nesting birds. Be alert for Marsh and Sedge Wrens, Eastern and Western Kingbirds, Bobolinks and Swainson’s Hawks. Fall is the best period to see large flocks of Arctic-nesting geese, Tundra Swans and Canvasbacks.
DAY 5
Jamestown
Frontier Village and National Buffalo Museum
- Authentic pioneer town at the end of Louis L'Amour Lane next to the National Buffalo Museum, Tourist Information Center and live buffalo herd. The National Buffalo Museum and bison herd focus primarily on the history of bison in the plains culture. Plains Indian artifacts, a wide variety of artwork, the 19th century firearms used by bison hunters, remains of prehistoric bison, a children’s room featuring wildlife of North Dakota and video presentation about the history of bison. The associated bison herd currently numbers about 30 head and includes White Cloud – an extraordinarily rare, true albino “White Buffalo” – and her two calves, Princess Winona and Dakota Thunder. http://www.buffalomuseum.com/
North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame
- Honors and recognizes those individuals who have played a major role in the growth and development of sports in the State of North Dakota, and to further promote sports and sportsmanship to the public of North Dakota. Inductees include Phil Jackson, Lute Olsen, Brad Gjermundson and Roger Maris. http://www.tourjamestown.com
Walk the Trail of Louis L'Amour
- Self-guided walking tour of Louis L’ Amour’s hometown. Winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal, with more 360 million books in print, including the Sackett series, Crossfire Trail, and Hondo. http://www.tourjamestown.com
Steele
World's Largest Sandhill Crane
- "Sandy" stands 40½ feet tall and overlooks an informational and learning site under the OWLS program. Park features native North Dakota plants, flowers and tree and a pond and benches. www.sandhillcranefoundation.org
Contact information:
Bismarck-Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau
Washburn Visitors Bureau
Rugby Area Chamber of Commerce
Minot Convention & Visitors Bureau
Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce
Jamestown Buffalo City Tourism
Valley City Chamber of Commerce
Bottineau Convention & Visitors Bureau
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| Attractions that have been included in this trip: |
| Scandinavian Heritage Center and Park |
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