6 Perfect Destinations for a Long Weekend in North Dakota

North Dakota stretches from the Little Missouri badlands to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, offering some of the northern United States’ most dramatic landscapes alongside inviting small towns. Medora stands out for its Rough Riders history and gateway access to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. New Salem adds roadside whimsy with Salem Sue and more local history at the Custer Trail Museum. These towns offer enough scenery, history, and local color to fill three unhurried days.

Medora

Medora sits at the edge of the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, home to some of the most dramatic scenery of the park. Start with the 36 Mile Scenic Drive, where you just might glimpse a band of wild horses beneath the layered badlands cliffs. Be sure to stop at the overlooks, and keep an eye out for bison, particularly at dusk.

Back in the town of Medora, tour the 1883 Chateau de Mores State Historic Site to learn about frontier ambition. This living history site memorializes the life and activities of Antoine de Vallombrosa, the Marquis de Mores, who arrived in 1883 to tame the land. The town of Medora is named for his wife. Later, catch an evening performance at the Burning Hills Amphitheatre, where the panoramic badland views threaten to steal the show. Golfers can book a tee time at Bully Pulpit Golf Course, the fairways of which meander through stunning rock formations. Stay at the historic Rough Riders Hotel, right on main street, named for the famed cavalry unit of the 26th president.

Fort Ransom

Fort Ransom anchors the wooded Sheyenne River Valley, which transports visitors to a landscape far removed from the open prairie. Fort Ransom State Park offers canoeing, fishing, hiking, and mountain biking thanks to its rolling hills and river access. History buffs can tour pioneer-era buildings in the park and time their visit to coincide with the town’s Sodbuster Days celebration.

If you'd prefer to see the scenery from the road, head onto the Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway to enjoy 63 miles of broad valley views with frequent pullouts. The byway starts on Barnes County Highway 21 and follows along Highways 17 and 19 before curving back onto Highway 21 to Ransom County Highway 13. Sleep in a restored 1916 schoolhouse about 12 miles out of town, the Nome Schoolhouse Inn & Event Center.

New Salem

Visitors to New Salem can't miss their main attraction, Salem Sue, touted as the world’s largest Holstein cow. Sue stands on a hill overlooking Interstate 94, and if you want to snap an iconic shot of her, a short path awaits. In New Salem itself, the Custer Trail Museum offers a glimpse back in time through tours of its ten buildings, including schoolhouses, a church, a depot, a blacksmith shop, and a stonehouse. Golfers can play nine scenic holes at Red Trail Links, and after your full day outdoors under the North Dakota sky, check into the Metropolitan Hotel, convenient to local diners and cafés, or if you're traveling with an RV, check out North Park.

Lisbon

Lisbon, also along the Sheyenne River, makes for an ideal base for prairie adventures. Spend a morning at Sandager Park, with ample walking paths and picnic areas. Consider an overnight here as well, especially if you're driving your own home on wheels. Just south of town, the Sheyenne National Grassland offers 70,180 acres of public dunes and mixed-grass prairie, attracting birders, horseback riders, and hikers. Birders will be particularly excited to spot a greater prairie chicken or one of several other sensitive species.

Driving Lisbon's country roads, dotted with grain elevators and farmstands, is always a picturesque experience, and when you're ready to call it a day, the Lisbon Inn provides straightforward, no-fuss accommodations within minutes of downtown.

Dunseith

Near the Canadian border, Dunseith serves as the gateway to the expansive International Peace Garden. Plan at least 2-3 hours to take in all this park has to offer, from its formal gardens and memorials to its reflective pools that straddle the two countries. Don't miss the 9/11 memorial and the extensive hiking paths.

In town, grab a selfie with the towering W'eel Turtle sculpture, a playful roadside landmark made from 2000 tire rims. The surrounding Turtle Mountains offer a fun change of scenery; this elevated plateau rises 200 to 600 feet above the surrounding plains, contrasting sharply with the terrain throughout the rest of the state. Opt to stay in one of the International Peace Garden’s cabins or camp in its campground, both inside the garden complex, or camp nearby at Lake Metigoshe State Park, which offers more than 13 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.

Marmarth

Near the Montana border, Marmarth appeals to fossil hunters and badlands fans. Here, you'll find the rugged terrain of the Little Missouri National Grassland, the largest national grassland in the US. Buttes, coulees, and river breaks create dramatic backdrops in which to explore (or photograph), and it's well worth taking the time to find the natural rock formation known as the Woman in Stone, which resembles a reclining figure.

In Marmarth, the restored Mystic Theatre deserves your attention, recalling early 20th-century entertainment along the railroad. Lodging options include small guesthouses and cabins such as the Marmarth Guest House.

History Meets an Unspoiled Landscape in North Dakota

Whether you come to North Dakota for the badlands, prairie, forests, or history, you can drive for miles without seeing another car. Considering that the byways of North Dakota have been historically traveled by the likes of Lewis and Clark, Sakakawea, and Sitting Bull, you're still in great company!