Theodore Roosevelt National Park · NPS Photo / Mark Meyers · Public domain (US federal government)

Road Trip Guide:
North Dakota

Explore North Dakota

Western North Dakota's reddish rock layers are clinker, locally called scoria, formed where seams of lignite coal burned and baked the nearby sediments into a natural brick. Because gravel is scarce in the southwest, the North Dakota Geological Survey says clinker is commonly used as road metal there, so the rock that colors the hills also surfaces the roads.

Around 16 breweries sit near the stops we cover in North Dakota. 6 of them are brewpubs with a kitchen, which off the motorway is often the useful part. The kitchen figure is a floor: the source lists some full restaurants as production sites.

Brewpub locations from Open Brewery DB (MIT)

Outdoors

Public land, water and snow — the places that are the reason for the drive.

National parks and federal sites in North Dakota

5 National Park Service sites in North Dakota, including 1 designated National Park. We have written guides to only a few of these — the rest are here so you can see what is in the state.

*Check before you go. Entrance fees, seasonal road closures, timed-entry reservations and whether a site suits your family are set by each park and change through the year. Follow the link and check with the park itself.

Park register from the National Park Service (public domain)

State parks in North Dakota

15 state parks we know of in North Dakota. We have not visited these and have no guide to them — this is a list of what exists, so you can look one up.

See all 15

Beaver Lake State Park
Cross Ranch State Park
Fort Abraham Lincoln
Fort Ransom State Park
Fort Stevenson State Park
Fort Totten State Historic Site
Icelandic State Park
Lake Metigoshe State Park
Lake Sakakawea State Park
Lewis and Clark State Park
Little Missouri State Park
Menoken Indian Village State Historic Site
Rough Rider State Park
Turtle River State Park
Writing Rock State Historical Site

*Check before you go. Opening hours, entry fees, campsite availability and whether a park suits your family are not in this data and change with the season. Several of these are day-use only. Please confirm with the park before setting out.

State park locations from Wikidata (CC0)

Lakes in North Dakota

4 lakes in North Dakota that we have checked. These are the ones from our research that we could check against an official page — not every lake there is. We have not been to these; this is what the official pages say, so you can look one up.

Lake Ashtabula
near Valley City ND (~10 mi) · 5,234 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes - walleye, northern pike, white bass, yellow perch, black bullheads
- BoatingSeven boat launching ramps around the lake
- Swimmingyes - three designated swimming areas
- Campingyes - Corps campground, reservable
Run by US Army Corps of Engineers (St. Paul District)
Lake Metigoshe
near (Bottineau County, Turtle Mountains) · 1,544 acres · natural
- Fishingyes - fishing docks (4); ice fishing in winter
- BoatingBoat ramp; kayaking and canoeing on park lakes
- Rentals & marinayes - park rents canoes, kayaks, pontoon boats
- Swimmingyes - swim beach at state park
- Campingyes - 84 modern ($25-30/night), 39 primitive ($15/night) sites
- SeasonDescribed as a year-round vacation spot
Run by Lake Metigoshe State Park (ND Parks & Recreation)
Lake Oahe
near Pierre SD; Mobridge SD; Bismarck ND; Fort Yates ND · 370,000 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes - walleye, channel catfish, smallmouth bass, northern pike; stocked salmon
- BoatingBoating, skiing, tubing, paddling; boat ramps around the lake
- CampingCorps campgrounds at Beaver Creek, Cattail Bay, Hazelton; others by state, tribes
Run by US Army Corps of Engineers (Oahe Dam); other areas run by tribal, state and local agencies
Lake Sakakawea
near Pick City; Riverdale; New Town/Four Bears Village; Williston · 307,000 acres · reservoir
- Fishingyes - the main recreation activity
- BoatingSeveral boat ramps around the lake
- Rentals & marinayes - marinas on the lake, run by Corps partners
- Campingyes - Corps and partner campgrounds; state park has 140 modern, 43 primitive sites
Run by US Army Corps of Engineers (Garrison Dam); ND Parks & Recreation; ND Game & Fish; Fort Berthold Indian Reservation

*Check before you go. Every lake here links to the official page we checked it against. Fees, seasons, water levels, algal advisories and ramp closures change without notice and belong to the agency that runs the water. A blank is something we did not confirm, not something the lake lacks. Never assume a lifeguard. Whether a beach is staffed turns on the season, the day, and which agency runs that particular beach — two beaches on one lake can differ. If that matters to your family, confirm it with the agency before you set out.

Lift-Served Bike Parks

1 in this state.

Frostfire ParkAlso a ski resortLift-servedWalhalla
Only lift-served riding in North Dakota

This is a list of what is there, not a recommendation of any of it. Opening dates, lift schedules and trail conditions move every year and we hold none of them, so check before you build a day around it. Every name above links to the operator’s own site.

Days out with the family

Gated attractions with a front door, a ticket and a car park.

Zoos

4 across North Dakota, by town.

Dakota Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedBismarck
Hours
Winter season: Fri-Sun 1pm-5pm
Season
seasonal (reduced winter schedule)
* We could not confirm: winter dates and prices not shown on homepage. Check their site before you go.
Red River ZooAZA-accreditedFargo
Hours
Daily 10am-4pm
Season
year-round
Admission
Adult $14.95 · Child $12.95 (ages 2-14)
Closed Dec 25; shortened holiday hours
Roosevelt Park ZooAZA-accreditedMinot
Admission
Adult from $12 (ages 13+) · Child $8 (ages 3-12)
Chahinkapa ZooWahpeton
Hours
Sep 8-Oct 18: Fri-Sun 10-4 (last schedule posted; site currently shows 'Closed For the Season')
Season
Seasonal. The zoo's own site carried a 'Closed For the Season' banner when checked on 31 Oct 2026; the only schedule posted was September 8-October 18, Friday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Main-season (spring/summer) dates and hours are not published on the site.
Admission
Adult $15 (13 and up) · Child $13
Reservations
Not required
Closed for the season at time of check. The carousel closed for the season on September 7. Zoo Boo ran October 24, 2-5 p.m. No outside food or drink. No pets; service animals permitted. A limited number of free wheelchairs at the admissions booth. All visitors under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Non-smoking site. In cold or poor weather not all animals will be outside. There is also a campground on site.

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. 3 of these carry an accreditation we confirmed against the accrediting body’s own register. Where there is no badge we did not confirm one — that is not a judgement on the place, and a good many municipal, state and university sites belong to no register we check. One entry is marked with an asterisk: we could not confirm part of what is listed, and the note under it says which part. Opening times, prices and seasons change without notice, so check the operator’s own site — every name above links to it.

Water Parks and Family Entertainment Centres

2 across North Dakota, by town.

Thunder Road Family Fun ParkSeasonalfamily entertainment centerFargo
go-karts, mini golf; site says closed until spring 2027
Raging Rivers Water ParkSeasonalwater parkMandan
Mandan Parks; closed for 2026 season

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. Every one of these runs a season rather than opening year round. Opening and closing dates move every year and we hold none of them, so check the park’s own calendar before you build a day around it. Prices, hours and ride closures change without notice — every name above links to the park’s own site.

Roadside oddities in North Dakota

W'eel TurtleFolk art / sculpture gardenDunseith
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
Any time — outdoors, visible from the road
Nearest road
ND-3 / ND-5
Giant turtle welded from more than 2,000 tire rims
Read on the page we checked
Salem SueGiant statue / World's largestNew Salem
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
Any time — outdoors, visible from the road
Nearest road
I-94
38-foot Holstein cow visible for miles
Read on the page we checked
Northern Lights TowerOffbeat landmarkRugby
Cost to see it
Free
When you can see it
Any time — outdoors, visible from the road
Nearest road
US-2
88-foot iridescent steel tower honoring the aurora
Read on the page we checked

These are things you can go and look at, not a recommendation of any of them. Oddities move, get sold and quietly disappear more than anything else we list, so check anything you are driving a long way for. Some sit on private land and can only be seen from the road — please do not go onto anyone’s property. Every entry links the page we read it off.

Venues and Annual Events

8 across North Dakota, by town.

Where to see something

Fargo TheatretheaterFargo
Address
314 Broadway
Art deco cinema restored 1999; Fargo Film Festival venue.

What is on, and when

Pembina County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairHamilton
Usually
July
Held at
Pembina County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
Stutsman County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairJamestown
Usually
June
Held at
Stutsman County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
North Dakota State FairfairMinot
Usually
July, over several days
Held at
State Fairgrounds (Burdick Expressway)
Since
First held 1922
Morton County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairNew Salem
Usually
July
Held at
Morton County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
McLean County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairUnderwood
Usually
July
Held at
McLean County Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
North Dakota Winter Show — some details below are unconfirmedfairValley City
Usually
March
Held at
Winter Show Event Center
* We could not confirm: anything beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.

See the other 1

Red River Valley Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairWest Fargo
Usually
Early–mid July
Held at
Red River Valley Fairgrounds
* We could not confirm: the details beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.

This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. Events are listed by the month they usually fall in, because that is what we hold — we do not publish dates, and a month is not a promise. Check the organiser before you plan around one. 6 entries are marked with an asterisk: we could not confirm part of what is listed, and the note under it says which part. Opening times, line-ups and ticketing change without notice, so check the venue’s or organiser’s own site — every name above links to it.

On the road

Before you set off.

Scenic roads through North Dakota

Federally designated scenic byways and All-American Roads, with the places we publish along each one in the order you meet them.

Native American Scenic Byway2 states · 6 places we publish

What to wear in North Dakota

Illustrated outfit board for North Dakota: four seasonal panels of clothing with average temperatures.

Spring 52°/29°F (11°/-2°C)

Spring can remain cold early, with warming afternoons and large temperature swings.

Wear: Start with a long-sleeve tee, stretch pants, and a fleece or sweater. Add a rain shell when the wind or showers pick up.
Shoes: Water-resistant walking shoes with grip; boots for muddy stops.
Pack: fleece or sweater
rain shell
light beanie
spare dry socks

Summer 79°/54°F (26°/12°C)

Summer brings warm to hot afternoons, cooler nights, and possible storms.

Wear: Try a loose tee or breathable sun shirt with lightweight shorts or airy pants. Add a light overshirt after sunset.
Shoes: Breathable closed-toe walking shoes for dusty stops; hiking shoes for uneven trails.
Pack: sun hat
sunglasses
light sun shirt
light evening layer
spare socks

Fall 54°/32°F (12°/0°C)

Fall cools quickly, with wind and increasingly cold mornings.

Wear: Build around a long-sleeve tee, comfortable pants, and a sweater or fleece. Add a wind-resistant jacket for breezy overlooks.
Shoes: Walking shoes with grip; water-resistant boots for wet or muddy routes.
Pack: sweater or fleece
wind and rain shell
beanie
light gloves
spare socks

Winter 23°/4°F (-5°/-15°C)

Winter can be bitterly cold, with exposed wind and snow.

Wear: Use thermal top and bottoms, an insulating fleece or sweater, and a wind-resistant insulated parka. Add insulated pants for extended outdoor stops.
Shoes: Waterproof insulated winter boots with wool or synthetic socks.
Pack: thermal base layers
insulated parka
insulated pants
beanie
mittens
neck gaiter
dry spare socks

Adjust for your route. The northeast is generally colder than the southwest. Carry rainwear for wetter eastern routes and wind protection statewide.

Climate background: NOAA State Climate Summary

See what to wear in every state →

Keep exploring

See It in the Book

Explore North Dakota

Locations in North Dakota

Bismarck

Fargo

Grand Forks

Jamestown

Medora

National parks and federal sites in North Dakota

State parks in North Dakota

Lakes in North Dakota

Lake Ashtabula

Lake Metigoshe

Lake Oahe

Lake Sakakawea

Lift-Served Bike Parks

Frostfire ParkAlso a ski resortLift-servedWalhalla

Zoos

Dakota Zoo* — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedBismarck

Red River ZooAZA-accreditedFargo

Roosevelt Park ZooAZA-accreditedMinot

Chahinkapa ZooWahpeton

Water Parks and Family Entertainment Centres

Thunder Road Family Fun ParkSeasonalfamily entertainment centerFargo

Raging Rivers Water ParkSeasonalwater parkMandan

Roadside oddities in North Dakota

W'eel TurtleFolk art / sculpture gardenDunseith

Salem SueGiant statue / World's largestNew Salem

Northern Lights TowerOffbeat landmarkRugby

Venues and Annual Events

Where to see something

Fargo TheatretheaterFargo

What is on, and when

Pembina County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairHamilton

Stutsman County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairJamestown

North Dakota State FairfairMinot

Morton County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairNew Salem

McLean County Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairUnderwood

North Dakota Winter Show* — some details below are unconfirmedfairValley City

Red River Valley Fair* — some details below are unconfirmedfairWest Fargo

Scenic roads through North Dakota

What to wear in North Dakota

Spring 52°/29°F (11°/-2°C)

Summer 79°/54°F (26°/12°C)

Fall 54°/32°F (12°/0°C)

Winter 23°/4°F (-5°/-15°C)

Keep exploring

Dakota Zoo — some details below are unconfirmedAZA-accreditedBismarck

Pembina County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairHamilton

Stutsman County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairJamestown

Morton County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairNew Salem

McLean County Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairUnderwood

North Dakota Winter Show — some details below are unconfirmedfairValley City

Red River Valley Fair — some details below are unconfirmedfairWest Fargo