Watford City is in the heart of western North Dakota and your hub for the area’s premier vacation attractions. Put some miles on your hiking boots in the pristine Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Make a splash and kayak the Little Missouri River’s historic waters. Muddy your bike tires on the Maah Daah Hey Trail. And when you’re ready to unwind, kick back with fine dining, cocktail bars, and settle in to one of Watford City’s stunning lodging options.
Watford City
Long before Watford City became the epicenter of the state's energy boom, it was the center of activity between the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Williston. It's an area steeped in history, culture and scenic beauty, and today it is bustling with new things to see and do.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is nearby, as is the unique Fairview Lift Bridge and Cartwright Tunnel, Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site and Fort Buford State Historic Site. Watford City itself is booming with the recent addition of the Rough Rider Center with its new athletic facilities and concert venue. Downtown features a collection unique shopping and dining experiences.
Start your day out at Door 204 coffee shop and art gallery, with its varied collection of works, then check out Rhianna's Boutique for modern takes on fashion. In the afternoon, take in a movie at Six Shooter Showhall, then stroll next door for a late lunch at Outlaws Bar and Grill. Cap off the day with pizza, pasta and craft beer at Stonehome Brewing Co.
A summer visit with the family should include an afternoon at Wild West Water Park. The boom may have slowed around Watford City, but the excitement within the city itself is growing and with a variety of hotels, motels and lodges, there is room for everyone.
Fun news! Watford City was recently selected as one of 8 featured communities for Season 2 of My Town Series! My Town is a rural-focused documentary series written and directed by 3-Time Emmy Award-Winning Documentarian Cory Hepola. In Season 1, Hepola explored 7 different communities across 4 states (MN, IA, WI, ND) with the series selected to premiere at the prestigious Twin Cities Film Fest. Within the first two months of its online launch (October 2024), “My Town” has amassed nearly 1-million impressions and 275-thousand views across all platforms with 5,500 hours of watch time from 36 states and 6 countries on YouTube alone.
“For the longest time all we’ve heard is our small towns are dying and there’s nothing here for you, but that’s simply not true,” said Hepola. “These rural communities are thriving and people are choosing to raise their families here for a variety of reasons. These stories need to be told.” We can't wait to tell our story and show the world all of the amazing opportunities Watford City has to offer! Filming is slated to begin this Spring, with a scheduled release in the Fall of 2025. Catch up with My Town Season 1, streaming now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MyTownSeries
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