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Trips to Go
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North Dakota's Scenic Byways and Backways
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Categories: History and Legends, Stay by Day, The Scenic Route
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Sample Itinerary
Put the top down and check out our designated National and State Scenic Byways and Backways, as well as some of our personal favorite drives. Of course, these paths less traveled are best enjoyed with the top down, or by bicycle or motorcycle!
DAY 1
SHEYENNE RIVER VALLEY NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY
- The 63-mile byway, beginning at Lake Astabula north of Valley City, will wind you through the tree-speckled valley of the Sheyenne, with snaking river and winding roadway, is a welcome variation. Quaint towns and farmsteads lend an Americana charm. Come see for yourself!
Lake Ashtabula - http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/recreation/default.asp?pageid=151
Valley City Historic Bridges Tour - www.hellovalley.com/valleycity/
Sheyenne State Forest
Fort Ransom State Park/Village of Fort Ransom - www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/FRSP.htm
Annual Sodbuster Days event - http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/frsp/sodbusters.htm
CHAN SANSAN SCENIC BACKWAY
- The 32-mile byway and backway area is rich in Indian history, earthen mounds, early settlement and scenic beauty. The byway/backway is known under it’s American Indian name, Chan SanSan.
Double Pony Truss Bridge
Indian Burial Mounds
Memorial Park Summer Musical Theater - www.lcsmt.com
DAY 2
STANDING ROCK NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN SCENIC BYWAY
- At 35 miles, this byway conveniently displays rugged terrain along the Missouri River and offers the excitement of cultural and historical discovery. Grand vistas present the Missouri along the same routes traveled by Lewis and Clark, Sakakawea and Sitting Bull.
Fort Manuel
Sitting Bull’s Burial Site - www.nd.gov/hist
Standing Rock Monument
Fort Yates Stockade
SAKAKAWEA SCENIC BYWAY
- This 23-mile byway highlights some of the state’s most outstanding destinations for visitors in relationship to the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Visitors are able to follow the course of this great journey and discover the history and culture of the people who lived in the rolling hills and wooded valleys of the Missouri and Knife Rivers.
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan - www.fortmandan.com
Knife River Indian Village National Historic Site - www.nps.gov/knri/
Cross Ranch State Park - www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/CRSP.htm
Fort Clark State Historic Site - http://history.nd.gov/historicsites/clark/index.html
KILLDEER MOUNTAIN FOUR BEARS SCENIC BYWAY
- The 64-mile byway showcases the Killdeer Mountains and the deeply entrenched Little Missouri River Breaks and Badlands that provide a unique and enchanting landscape in one of the most scenic areas of western North Dakota.
Killdeer Battlefield Historic Site - http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/16405/places/57506/
Little Missouri State Park - http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/lmbsp.htm
Medicine Hole
DAY 3
THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK NORTH UNIT SCENIC BYWAY
- This byway is 14 miles, looping through the North Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Theodore Roosevelt National Park memorializes the 26th president for his enduring contributions to the conservation of our natural resources. In the park you will find badlands, open prairie, hardwood draws, Bison, other wildlife, the Little Missouri River and a past history that includes Theodore Roosevelt.
River Bend Overlook and CCC shelter - www.nps.gov/thro/
Oxbow Overlook
Bentonite Clay Overlook
Caprock Coulee Nature Trail
Cannonball Concretions Pullout
DES LACS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SCENIC BACKWAY
- This 19-mile backway provides an excellent opportunity to view and photograph waterfowl, water and songbirds, raptors, deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife. From the marshes, woodlands, lakes to the upland prairie you travel through a great host of natural habitat and scenery.
Five species of nesting Grebes - http://deslacs.fws.gov/
Hiking trails and interpretive sites along backway route
Large concentration of migratory waterfowl with up to 300,000 snow geese
One-of-a-kind historic Danish Mill located in Kenmare
DAY 4
TURTLE MOUNTAIN SCENIC BYWAY
- On this 53-mile byway through the Turtle Mountains, visitors can enjoy beautiful lakes surrounded by pine and aspen, wild flowers and wildlife, and a wide variety of outdoor activities. The International Peace Garden offers 2300 acres of scenic beauty and floral gardens. North Dakota's newest landmark is Mystical Horizons, the "Stonehenge" of the prairie offers a breakthtaking view overlooking the farmland west of the Turtle Mountains and was designed so that visitors can view the summer and winter solstices and the equinox.
International Peace Garden - www.peacegarden.com/
Lake Upsilon
Lake Metigoshe State Park - www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/LMSP.htm
Mystical Horizons - www.turtlemountains.org/
RENDEZVOUS REGION SCENIC BACKWAY
- This 12-mile backway winds along the bends of the Pembina River, where you can enjoy the panorama of the Pembina Gorge and enjoy the recreational, historical and natural scenery opportunities of the area.
Scenic Pembina River - www.tradecorridor.com/walhalla/rendezvous.htm
Icelandic State Park - www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/ISP.htm
Frost Fire Mountain Ski Lodge/Summer Theater - www.frostfireskiarea.com or www.frostfiretheatre.com
Active prehistoric fossil dig - www.tradecorridor.com/walhalla/paleontology.htm
For more information on the North Dakota Scenic Byway and Backway program: http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/byways/trip.htm
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