8 Most Peaceful Small Towns In North Dakota
Renowned for its vast and varied landscape, North Dakota provides visitors with extensive opportunities for exploration at sites like Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the geographical center of North America, the Badlands, and so much more. Hike with the buffalo or travel along trails with the wild horses. Nearly 90% of the land in North Dakota is dedicated to farming and ranching, making the state virtually unmarred by development and infrastructure. Enjoy a slower pace, down-to-earth lifestyle, and welcoming spirit in these eight peaceful small towns in North Dakota.
Medora
With an estimated 160 residents and a town that covers less than half a square mile, Medora is a pleasant surprise, full of activity, outdoor adventure, and old-timey vibes. The town is surrounded by breathtaking views of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and is considered the gateway to its southern unit. Explore the badlands, watch out for buffalo encounters, go backcountry camping, or take a ranger-led trail through the park to experience the ultimate Old West days. For more history and local lore, stroll through the Chateau de Mores. Built in 1883, the 26-room, two-story building was the former home of the town's founder. The home, now a State Historic Site, has been converted into a museum and contains original furnishings and personal items from the de Mores family. In the evening, get yourself tickets to the Medora Musical. This homage to the town’s wild west days features acts from Dolly Parton classics to disco, all with a perfect blend of history, humor, and old western grit.
Bottineau
Mystical Horizons, otherwise referred to as the Stonehenge of the Prairie, offers visitors stunning views of grasslands at the base of the Turtle Mountains. Stone and cement structures create the astrological-themed park that is positioned for visitors to view the summer solstice and winter equinox. Not to be outdone, Tommy the Turtle is another legendary local landmark. The 30-foot turtle sits on top of a 34-foot snowmobile and acts as a marker for the gateway to the Turtle Mountains. Snap a prerequisite selfie and let Tommy point the way, then enjoy an afternoon of solitude and wonderment minutes from town at Lake Metigoshe State Park. Here, you'll find 13 miles of trails equipped for hiking or biking, as well as kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and swimming in Bottineau's serene backyard.
Devils Lake
One of Devils Lake's biggest draws is the body of water for which it is named. Graham’s Island State Park offers miles of lakeshore and heavily wooded forest, allowing visitors solitude and peace. The lake is known for world-class fishing, and the park caters to anglers with large boat ramps, fish cleaning stations, and a bait and tackle shop. Other activities include swimming and hiking in summer, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter, and learning about the park and wildlife at the visitor’s center. It is also home to the region's only campground open year-round.
If you're keen to learn from local experts, get out on the lake with Bry’s Guide Service. Offering summer and winter fishing trips, Bry’s will ensure you have a fun-filled and successful few days catching walleye, perch, and northern pike. They also provide hunting and lodging options. For something a bit more low-key, spend a leisurely day at Creel Bay Golf Course. The course invites players of all skill levels and abilities to challenge themselves with its manicured fairways, water hazards, and sand traps. The clubhouse also rents kayaks and paddleboards, so you can make the most of your trip to Devils Lake.
Rugby
Nearly 2,500 people call the town of Rugby home, right in the heart of the continent. The Geographical Center of North America Monument marks the spot, standing 21 feet high and 6 feet wide at its base. The monument sits on a heart-shaped foundation and is a common photo op for tourists. Another unique structure found in town is the Northern Lights Tower and Interpretive Center. Reaching a height of 88.5 feet, the steel structure is dedicated to the natural phenomena of the Aurora Borealis. The center sits adjacent to the tower and offers footage of the Northern Lights, as well as scientific information about the wondrous sight.
Explore more of the town’s exclusive history at the Prairie Village Museum. Comprised of more than 20 historic buildings all arranged in a small village, the 1887 log cabin, Penn train depot, York jail, and schoolhouse are filled with antique objects and displays that represent the early settlers who made the North Dakota plains their home.
Garrison
Visit Wally the Walleye in the Walleye Capitol of the World - try saying that three times fast! Garrison embraces this title with a 26-foot display in City Park. Try your hand at catching one of these prized fish yourself with a trip through Bloemendaal Guide Service. Owner and guide, Brett Bloemendaal, has been chartering fishing trips since 2019 on Lake Sakakawea, where you can spend a day jigging and trolling for trophy-sized fish.
After spending time on the water, enjoy the land-based activities on the shores of Lake Sakakawea at Fort Stevenson State Park. Close to 10 miles of trails provide hikers with multiple opportunities to take in breathtaking views of the gentle landscape. Two marinas and boat ramp access also allow visitors to take to the lake for fishing, swimming, or paddling excursions.
Valley City
Valley City is filled with an assortment of outdoor activities, from mild to wild, with plenty of chances to immerse yourself in this open-air town. Start with a drive down the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway. The 63-mile stretch of road rolls past undulating hills, charming farmlands, tiny towns, and prominent historic sites. After your drive, stretch your legs with a stroll through Hi-Line Prairie Gardens & Orchard. Enjoy fruit, flowers, and fresh air at this four-acre preserve that showcases local plants, fruit trees, and relaxing walking paths. This once unused, overgrown lot was transformed in 2016 into the educational and communal space it is today.
Medicine Wheel Park is another popular spot for reflection and introspection. Created and located on Valley City State University’s campus, the wheel was built as a class project in 1992 and has evolved into one of the state's major tourist attractions. Surrounding 30 acres, it measures 213 feet around with 28 spokes bursting from the center representing the number of days in the lunar cycle. Inspired by the Big Horn Medicine Wheel in Wyoming, to reflect the significance of the Earth’s rotation, six extended spokes are aligned to represent the horizon positions of sunrises and sunsets of the first days of a new season.
Jamestown
One of the most iconic symbols associated with North Dakota is a buffalo, and the town of Jamestown is home to the World’s Largest Buffalo Monument. Standing 26 feet and weighing 60 tons, Dakota Thunder has asserted itself as the most popular roadside attraction in the Midwest for over 50 years. The monument stands tall over Frontier Village and received its name in 2010 during a contest in which over 3,500 potential names were submitted.
Once a fort to care for the men who oversaw the building of the railroad, Fort Seward is now an interpretive learning center featuring the largest displayed US flag in the state. Step back in time on the grounds that overlook the James River Valley, and get a taste of frontier days with a night or two in camp. Fort Seward is notably the starting point of the annual Covered Wagon Train, a family-friendly event that includes camping and history talks, and it also hosts the annual Big Guns of the Old West event, which features re-enactments and the firing of historical firearms. Meanwhile, the Jamestown Reservoir covers 2,095 surface acres and boasts 45 miles of shoreline, with plenty of room for swimming, camping, hiking, fishing, and more.
Mandan
Mandan has a very unique historical site within the Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. Established in 1907, it is the oldest state park in North Dakota, and provides visitors with a look at what life was like as a frontier soldier. Blockhouses, barracks, and commanding officers’ quarters are just a few structures to visit within the park. Hike, bike, or horseback ride through the grounds and enjoy views of the Heart and the Missouri Rivers. The park also displays reconstructed earth lodges, which were once inhabited by Native Americans while living in what has come to be known as On-a-Slant Village. The original settlement contained roughly 75 earth lodges and housed about 1,000 residents, but a smallpox epidemic devastated the population in 1781. Archeological evidence of the village still stands at the original site and is protected by the National Park Service.
Feed your historical curiosity further at the North Dakota State Railroad Museum. The museum opened in 1972 and comprises a wide collection of railroading equipment, railcars open for exploration, and displays. This interactive center lets visitors venture into the old railcars to see not only how they were designed years ago, but also how far they have come since then.
From the top of the Turtle Mountains to the bottom of Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota provides its visitors and residents with endless landscapes to explore. Immerse yourself in the vast prairielands, historical parks, popular landmarks, and educational museums to make the most of your time in North Dakota. Roam with the buffalo, swim with the walleye, and stand where settlers once stood in these small towns that remain as peaceful today as they were back then.
