7 Coolest Towns In North Dakota For A Summer Vacation In 2024

Fill your gas tank, buckle up, roll down the windows, turn the volume of the stereo up a bit, and hit the road for North Dakota this summer. The Peace Garden State is home to several summer delights and pleasure spots — including the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which features a spellbinding mix of prairies, mesas, and mountain views, all dotted with grazing buffalo. Then there is the blanket of stars (on almost every clear night), as well as amazing sunrises and sunsets. For specific recommendations, discover the seven coolest towns in North Dakota for a summer vacation.

Medora

With Theodore Roosevelt National Park in its backyard, Medora provides one of the most unbeatable summer outdoor experiences in the entire state. There is much to love about this cute little town, where endless buttes loom like watchful guardians over the landscape, providing tasty views for miles on end.

Summer often sees the town hosting the famous outdoor Medora Musical, held at the iconic Burning Hills Amphitheatre, one of the finest outdoor theatres in the nation. Hand-carved out of the badlands by local volunteers, the amphitheater is the perfect venue for what is often billed as the Greatest Show In the West. The Chateau de Mores in Medora, built by a frontier ranchman in the Badlands of Dakota Territory as a hunting lodge — is today part of the 128-acre Chateau de Mores State Historic Site, which also includes Chimney Park, home to a nicely paved bike path, and de Mores Memorial Park.

Dunseith

Dunseith was platted in 1882 and is mostly associated with the International Peace Garden, an outdoor wonderland comprising two pristine freshwater lakes. The park’s central flower display area, which puts on a scintillating color show every summer, is arguably the most enticing part of the Peace Garden. The Sunken Garden, which is deeper inside the flowering area, features a beautiful octagonal pool in addition to two gorgeous reflecting pools.

Dunseith is called the "Gateway to the Turtle Mountains," and the spellbinding mountains provide a world of fun outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and hunting. There is also the one-of-a-kind North American Game Warden Museum, which styles itself as the only institution in the world dedicated to the game warden profession and honoring its heroes. One can also hit up the Butte Saint Paul Historic Site for a leg-burning hike, which will be rewarded with breathtaking views.

Jamestown

Jamestown scores big on summer fun and adventure because it hosts venues such as the Jamestown Reservoir, which provides sweeping views of undeveloped prairie — besides featuring an excellent campground. Also, summer sees the town hosting events such as the annual Kite Fest, which draws kite enthusiasts from across the U.S. and Canada — and the James River Rodeo, where participants get to saddle horses and indulge in some good, old-fashioned rodeo fun. Plus, this town is in an area where buffalo once roamed (one can still spot some), and partly because of this heritage, it hosts the world's largest buffalo statue.

To learn about the history and significance of the American buffalo, the North American Bison Discovery Center, formerly the National Buffalo Museum, will have to be squeezed into an itinerary. One can also hang out at the Arts Center, which is known for showcasing some of the best art talent from around the area.

Minot

Minot is a buzzy, mid-sized town of about 47,000 residents, mostly known for the Air Force base, located about 15 miles from the city. This town, however, comes alive every summer and is known to host the North Dakota State Fair, the largest annual event in North Dakota. Featuring tons of food, live music, and carnival rides — this event typically draws more than 300,000 people over nine days of mood-lifting fun. Open on Saturday mornings, the Railroad Museum of Minot, housed in an old lumber supply building, is a fantastic venue to learn about Minot’s railroad history and marvel at the tons of model railroad pieces.

Other Minot attractions include the Roosevelt Park Zoo (it is the oldest zoo in the state), the Dakota Territory Air Museum (which reopens on May 18, 2024), and the Scandinavian Heritage Park, which features replicas from each of the Scandinavian countries.

New Salem

New Salem is tucked away just 30 miles West of Bismarck, North Dakota's state capital, and hence, can be a quick summer getaway to those in the capital. This North Dakota charmer is on the summer vacation map for several reasons, including the fact it hosts the World’s Largest Holstein Cow. Called “Sue,” this famous attraction was the second giant roadside animal sculpture built in North Dakota.

Fun-filled summer events in New Salem include Cow Town Hoe Down, an annual show that features live street music, duck races, and Cow Bingo, along with other events for both young and old. Avid golfers will want to check out the Red Trail Links Golf Course, a scenic 9-hole municipal golf course that can easily steal an afternoon. Finally, Crown Butte Lake is just minutes from town, a lovely and peaceful venue for resting, hiking, or picnicking.

Wahpeton

Nestled close to the border with Minnesota, near the scenic banks of the New River, Wahpeton is among the most picturesque towns in the Peace Garden State. Attractions within the town include the 29-acre Chahinkapa Zoo, which features an amazing variety of animals representing 70 species and six continents. These include white rhinos, grizzly bears, and even kangaroos, believed to be native only to Australia and the nearby island of New Guinea.

The Richland County Historical Museum keeps the world’s largest record book, which weighs 387 pounds. A first-time visitor will want to set her eyes on Wahpper as well, which, at 40 feet long, is reputed to be the world's largest catfish. For avid golfers, the Bois de Sioux Golf Course is unique in the fact the first nine holes are in North Dakota — and the other half in Minnesota.

Garrison

A cute, dainty town of just about 1,500 residents, Garrison may be the official Christmas Capitol of North Dakota, but that does not mean its summers are nothing to write home about. Garrison is about 75 miles from BBismarck and provides numerous summer adventure opportunities, especially since it provides access to fun outdoor sites such as the Missouri River ( this is the longest river in America), Fort Stevenson State Park, which features loads of loads of nice camping spots and hookups, the Sportsmen's Centennial Park, located on the peaceful shores of Lake Sakakawea, and the Garrison Golf Club, where deer comprise a unique cluster of onlookers. The Cabernet Inn has been a staple of the town since the years of the First World War and is among the best locations to stay when in the area.

Whether seeking the ultimate peace and quiet, wide-open skies and starry nights, or the company of moose, deer, and Grizzly bears — North Dakota will check every box. Plus, the state hosts world-famous adventure spots such as the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, a breathtaking expanse of flowing prairies and flat-top tablelands where buffaloes graze and golden eagles monitor their prey. When summer rolls along, towns such as Medora, Dunseith, and Jamestown provide a world of outdoor opportunities — and are among the best in the state to visit for a vacation.