7 Of The Quietest North Dakota Towns

North Dakota is one of the least densely populated states in the United States, with about 11 people per square mile compared to roughly 90 nationwide, which helps keep many of its towns quiet and uncrowded. From the tranquil trails of the badlands to the storybook streets of its 1800s prairie towns, it is a place where space and silence come naturally. Small communities like Walhalla in the Pembina Gorge, Valley City along the Sheyenne River, and Bottineau in the Turtle Mountains offer a mix of rustic charm and scenic surroundings. If you want to step away from busy city life and avoid heavy crowds, North Dakota’s tucked-away towns provide a quiet and more peaceful experience.

Valley City

Known as ‘the City of Bridges’, Valley City is a waterfront town along the Sheyenne River with a long history. Its most famous bridge is the 162-foot Hi-Line Railroad Bridge, one of the highest and longest single-track railroad bridges in the country. Learn more about this bridge and Valley City’s railroad heritage at the Rosebud Visitor Center, which features an 1881 Superintendent’s railcar with original furnishings.

For beautiful views and unique history, take a wander around Medicine Wheel Park. This 30-acre green space includes ancient Native American burial mounds, a medicine wheel solar calendar, a walking trail, a scenic overlook, and a perennial garden. Valley City is also where you can pick up the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway, which runs 63 miles through the valley past historic sites, state parks, and other points of interest.

Medora

Home to just 100 residents, Medora is a quiet town in the North Dakota badlands whose population quadruples during the summer thanks to its proximity to Theodore Roosevelt National Park and other popular attractions. Visit in the off-season to see the quieter side of this scenic community and beat the crowds at the park, where you can hike self-guided nature trails through badlands and prairie grasslands or take the 36-mile scenic drive through the South Unit, which begins and ends in Medora. Drop by the South Unit Visitor Center to pick up a map and check out the Maltese Cross Cabin, where Theodore Roosevelt stayed when he came to hunt bison in 1883.

See more of life in the late 1880s at the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora, which pays tribute to the hard-working men and women of the frontier with interactive displays, galleries, artifacts, and memorabilia. To learn more while enjoying a stroll around Medora’s picturesque and historic streets, take the Footsteps Into Medora’s Past Walking Tour, led by retired military officer and history teacher Kurt Skinner. Informative and engaging, the 50-minute tour is a great way to get to know the town through its tall tales and colorful characters.

Walhalla

Located in the beautiful Pembina Gorge, Walhalla is one of North Dakota’s earliest settlements. Originally known as St. Joseph's, the rural hamlet was founded in 1845, just five miles south of the Canadian border. Today, it’s known for its gorgeous views and natural attractions, including the 1,240-acre Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area, which is soon to become North Dakota’s newest state park. There are more than 16 miles of hiking trails from which to explore the Pembina Hills, cliffs, wetlands, and prairies, and visitors can also kayak along the Pembina River.

Another Walhalla landmark is the Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site, the 1840s home and trading post of Métis legislator and businessman Antoine Blanc Gingras, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The site grounds are open year-round, and the buildings are open for events and tours by appointment. Walhalla is also the gateway to Tetrault Woods State Forest, located just 1.5 miles south of town and covering 592 acres of dense riparian forest. Populated with bur oak, ash, elm, birch, and aspen, the forest trails are especially dazzling in the fall when the autumnal colors make for some spectacular sightseeing.

Bottineau

A northern alpine town in the Turtle Mountains, Bottineau is a great place for a rural escape. On your way into town, don’t forget to say hi to Tommy the Turtle. This 30-foot-tall statue of a turtle riding a snowmobile is the resident town mascot, celebrating its mountain heritage. Speaking of turtles, Bottineau is a good starting point just south of the 55-mile Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway, which runs between the towns of Rolla and St John and has stunning views of lakes, farmlands, prairies, and woodlands. Along the byway is Lake Metigoshe State Park, which is worth a longer stop. There are several lakes within the 1,500-acre park, offering kayaking and canoeing, as well as 13+ miles of hiking and biking trails. It’s also a prime birdwatching habitat, so pick up a species checklist at the park office to spend a peaceful afternoon scanning the skies.

Get more peaceful moments at the International Peace Garden, a 30-minute drive north. The Gardens include floral blooms, perennials, and 2,400 acres of pristine wilderness. There’s also a nature play area, hiking trails, a gift shop, picnic areas, a peace chapel, and a floral clock.

New Salem

A rural town with an agricultural past and a quirky sense of humor, New Salem’s most prominent resident is Salem Sue, the World’s Largest Holstein Cow, which towers 38 feet over the town. The sculpture is made out of fibreglass and weighs over 10,000 pounds, visible from the nearby Interstate 94 as a prominent town marker. You’ll find more remnants of New Salem’s dairy industry past at the New Salem Historical Society - Custer Trail Museum. The large indoor and outdoor museum consists of two schoolhouses, a 1904 church, the Old New Salem Depot, a barn with vintage horse and dairy equipment, and a blacksmith shop. Afterward, head to nearby Sweet Briar Lake to enjoy the peaceful surroundings, with open views, fishing spots, and quiet areas for a relaxed afternoon outdoors.

Rugby

The geographic center of North America, Rugby, is a north-central town with another unusual claim to fame. This small hamlet was once the home of the world’s tallest man, Clifford Thompson. Go back even further into the town’s history at the Prairie Village Museum, an outdoor museum with around 20 historic buildings clustered together to create an authentic 1800s village square. These include an 1887 log cabin, the York jail, and the Silva School, showcasing unique alleys of local history. The museum is open from May to September and also hosts seasonal events.

One of Rugby’s more recent museums takes the form of an 88.5-foot-tall steel tower. The Northern Lights Tower and Interpretative Center celebrates the spectacular Aurora Borealis with brilliant photos of the celestial display and actual footage of the Northern Lights at the interactive and educational kiosk. A short drive from Rugby is Sand Lake, a scenic spot for a picnic or a day of fishing for local pike or perch.

Devil’s Lake

A small town on the shores of North Dakota’s largest natural body of water, Devil’s Lake is an idyllic spot for a day out or a weekend away. Get out and about in nature at Grahams Island State Park, which offers stunning picnic spots, shoreline walks, and world-class fishing. The 1,000-acre park also has cabins and campsites for those who want to spend the night outdoors. To see some local wildlife, visit the White Horse Hill National Game Preserve, home to bison, elk, prairie dogs, and over 214 bird species.

There are more beautiful scenes at the Lake Region Arts Center in downtown Devil’s Lake, which showcases the work of local artists in a series of regularly rotating exhibitions. There are also events such as the Lake Region Arts Festival in June, which boasts an art show, vendors, and more. The center and event are run by the Lake Region Heritage Center, a history, arts, and culture museum housed in the historic Old Post Office.

Relaxing Retreats In North Dakota’s Prairies

There’s a lot to love about North Dakota’s big cities. Head off the highway and take a detour into the unknown with this list of North Dakota’s quietest small towns. In these calm communities, you can spend a lazy day by the lake, sip local cider in a sunny orchard, cruise past free-roaming bison herds, or stroll through an 1800s prairie village. Relaxing, restoring, and full of one-of-a-kind experiences, these small towns are the best place to recharge your batteries.