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Western Experience
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| North Dakota Tourism/Jason Lindsey |
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North Dakota is often known as the place to visit for a "Real American" experience. In fact, it's why North Dakota is frequently ranked in the Top Five for U.S. destinations by international guests.
Here you can enjoy the history of great American legends like Lewis & Clark, Sakakawea, Theodore Roosevelt, Custer and Sitting Bull. Spend the day in the saddle, or gather 'round the campfire at a powwow or modern western ranch.
Hat, boots and belt buckle aren't required.
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Medora
An authentic old west town with modern shopping and rootin' tootin' entertainment, Medora began as the dream of a French aristocrat and has captured the imagination of big dreamers like Teddy Roosevelt ever since. Click here to plan your adventure in Medora.
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Ranch Vacations
North Dakota offers a variety of ranch vacations to take you back to a simpler way of life. Want to get away from it all and experience life on a real working ranch? If so, try these:
Eagle Ridge Lodge 7 miles southwest of Medora. Phone 701-623-2216.
Amazing view of the Badlands from the hilltop lodge. Packages include overnight stays, two-day getaways and a five-day stay with overnight campout.
Logging Camp Ranch Northwest of Amidon. Phone 701-279-5501. The ranch takes visitors back to life on a working 1880s ranch in the Badlands. Cabins on site.
Naard Creek Ranch Killdeer, 701-863-6911
Secluded modern cabin in the Badlands sleeps 10. Nature's paradise for birding, hiking, photography, trail riding, family vacations and many other adventure opportunities. Corrals available.
Lone Butte Ranch You'll find solitude or adventure and more here. Hand-crafted log cabins offer spectacular views of Lone Butte and the Badlands. Horse boarding, hot tubs, ranch experience, and hunting available.
Rolling Plains Adventures McKenzie, 701-367-3737 Horseback riding, nature hikes, ATV riding, cattle branding, hunting, ranch history and more.
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Rodeos
Eight seconds seems so long when you're watching a cowboy hang on for dear life. How long does it seem like to the cowboy? From national professional events to local high school competitions, rodeo isn't just a sport in North Dakota, it's a feel-the-dirt-in-your-teeth way of life.
Roughrider Days Fair and Expo/Rodeo
Dickinson
June 30-July 4, 2011
A Fourth of July celebration starting at the end of June and running through the Fourth of July features rodeos, live music, fireworks, a parade and much more. http://roughriderdaysfair.com
Mandan Rodeo Days
Mandan
July 2-4, 2011
Three-day PRCA rodeo, art in the park festival, inflatable games, concert, 2 parades, musicals, street dances, fireworks display, wagon and pony rides, pitchfork fondue and much more. http://www.mandanrodeo.com
Killdeer Mountain Roundup Rodeo
Killdeer
July 2-4, 2011
87th annual event. The oldest PRCA rodeo in the state includes parade, barbecue, petting zoo, street dances and other events for all ages. http://www.killdeer.com
James River Rodeo
Jamestown
July 15-16, 2011
Full performance rodeo includes bareback, saddle bronc, bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, breakaway/goat tying event, as well as team roping, mixed team roping and senior breakaway roping.
54th Annual Champion's Ride Rodeo
Sentinel Butte
August 6, 2011
For 54 years, the match has been a premier event with top-ranked professional cowboys invited to ride the toughest saddle broncs in the region.
North Dakota Rodeo Association Rodeo Finals
Watford City
September 9-10, 2011
This exciting indoor event is a "must-see" for rodeo fans, as well as others who enjoy the western experience. The top contestants in ND compete to earn the honor of NDRA Champion.
Roughriders Rodeo Association Final
Devils Lake
September 23-25, 2011
Badlands Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals
Y's Men's Indoor Rodeo, Minot
October 6-9, 2011
The championship rodeo for the Badlands Circuit features the 12 best cowboys and cowgirls in bull riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, roping and bucking horse riding and more.
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Forts
Every good western has a fort, and your western experience in North Dakota has plenty of them, too. From authentic buildings to faithful reconstructions, these cavalry and infantry posts make it easy to envision life on America's last frontier.
Fort Abercromie Located at the eastern edge of Abercrombie, this site preserves the military post that served from 1857 until 1878 as the gateway to the Dakota frontier. A local museum at the site interprets the history of the fort and the area. Only one original building remains, but blockhouses and the palisade wall have been reconstructed. The site is open from May through September. Modern facilities in the museum. Museum admission fee. For more information, contact Fort Abercrombie State Historic Site, P.O. Box 148, Abercrombie, ND, 58001. Phone 701-553-8513.
Fort Abraham Lincoln General Custer's command post. You know how he died, now see how he lived! A faithful reconstruction of the majority of the post awaits you in one of North Dakota's favorite state parks. Located south of Mandan on the banks of the Missouri River. Get more information at the Fort Lincoln Web site.
Fort Totten, southwest of Devils Lake, is the most complete cavalry-era fort west of the Mississippi River. Fort Totten's cavalry square is completely surrounded by original buildings. The fort held a high level of importance to the U.S. Cavalry, protecting mail routes and supplying men and material for Custer on his last mission. Visitors can stay overnight on site at the Totten Trail Inn Bed and Breakfast.
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site southwest of Williston was at one time was the premier fur trading post of the upper Missouri River region. Fort Union was a key trading post at the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers.
Fort Buford, located near present-day Williston, this was one of a number of military posts established to protect overland and river routes used by immigrants settling the West. While it served an essential role as the sentinel on the northern plains for 29 years, Fort Buford is probably best remembered as the place where the famous Hunkpapa Sioux leader Sitting Bull surrendered in 1881.
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Indian People of North Dakota
They are the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, the Yanktonai, Sisseton, Wahpeton, Hunkpapa and other Dakotah/Lakotah (commonly known as the Sioux) Tribes, along with the Pembina Chippewa, Cree and Métis.
Though individual tribes have distinct and different origins, histories and languages, Plains Indians are united by core beliefs and values that emanate from respect for the earth and an understanding of humankind's relationship with nature.
Visitors are welcome to explore the reservations and discover the beauty of Indian culture.
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| North Dakota Tourism/Clayton Wolt |
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The Powwow (Celebration)
The Algonquin word "pau wau" was the Native American word some of the first Europeans associated with dancing. Although pau wau meant "he dreams" to the Algonquins, the term was eventually accepted by the Europeans to refer to dancing, later being spelled "powwow."
Powwows were originally held in the springtime to celebrate the beginning of new life, but are now held throughout the year. The celebrations often have religious significance, but are also a time for people to gather, sing, dance, feast, pray, renew old friendships and make new ones. These celebrations are still an important part of life for many Native Americans.
The Grand Entry opens the parade of dancers and is a time for contestants to score points by displaying their style and regalia. Dancers always enter the arbor and dance sun-wise, or clockwise, around an eagle staff. The types of dance are as varied as the colors in the costumes.
- Men's Traditional Dancer - Decorated with bead and quillwork and a circular bustle of eagle feathers. Portrays the traditional "dancing out" of the story of a battle or a hunt.
- Men's Grass Dancer - Outfitted with colorful fringe and dancing in movements that resemble grass blowing in the prairie breeze.
- Men's Fancy Dancer - Wears two brilliantly colored feather bustles, displays fancy footwork, speed, acrobatic steps and spinning motions.
- Northern Plains Women's Traditional Dancer - Moves subtly, bending her knees in small up and down body movements, while shifting her feet and turning her body slightly. Some traditions say the movement symbolizes a woman watching for her warrior to come home.
- Women's Fancy Shawl Dancer - Wears decorative cloth dress, beaded moccasins with matching leggings, fancy shawl, and jewelry. Her dance suggests the movement of a butterfly and is similar to the men's freestyle dance.
- Jingle Dress Dancer - Outfitted in hundreds of small, jingling metal cones, traditionally made of snuff can covers. In one account, women wearing jingle dresses appeared to a holy man in a dream and taught him how to create the dress, the dance and its music.
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Annual Powwows and Other Events
Annual Powwow schedules:
Mid-Winter Powwow, New Town
New Year's Eve Day
Memorial Day Wacipi, McLaughlin, S.D.
First weekend in June
Flag Day Wacipi, Cannon Ball
Second weekend in June
Fort Union Trading Post Rendezvous, Williston
Third weekend in June
Twin Buttes Powwow, Twin Buttes
Third weekend in June
Paha Yamini Wacipi, Porcupine, S.D.
Third weekend in June
Nux-Bah-Ga Powwow, Parshall
Last weekend in June
Bear Soldier Wacipi, McLaughlin, S.D.
First weekend in July
Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Powwow, Agency Village, S.D.
Fourth of July weekend
Arikara Celebration, White Shield
Second weekend in July
Mandaree Annual Powwow, Mandaree
Third weekend in July
Running Antelope Wacipi, Little Eagle, S.D.
Fourth weekend in July
Fort Totten Days Powwow, Fort Totten
Fourth weekend in July
Northern Plains Indian Culture Fest, Stanton
Fourth weekend in July
Long Soldier Wacipi, Fort Yates
First weekend in August
Little Shell Powwow, New Town
Second weekend in August
Rock Creek Wacipi, Bullhead, S.D.
Second weekend in August
Wakpala Wacipi, Wakpala, S.D.
Third weekend in August
Nue'ta (Mandan) Corn Festival, Mandan
Third weekend in August
Turtle Mountain Annual Powwow, Belcourt
Labor Day weekend in September
United Tribes International Powwow, Bismarck
Second weekend in September
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