6 Amazing North Dakota Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive In 2025
North Dakota is definitely a choose-your-own-adventure kind of state. Whether you’re looking for a family day out, a chance to get lost in nature, a cultural experience, or a journey into the past, this welcoming midwestern state has it all. Each destination below is within easy reach of Grand Forks, the third-largest city in the state and home to the Grand Forks International Airport, making them very accessible to travelers from all over the world. These fun and easy day trips each represent a snapshot of North Dakota’s character, history, and heritage, giving visitors a chance to truly get to know the Great Plains area and enjoy a one-of-a-kind day out.
Icelandic State Park
Distance from Grand Forks: 88.4miles, 1 hr 30 mins
Grand Forks is a vibrant and buzzing city, but if you’re looking to escape into nature, you’ll find an oasis of timeless beauty just under two hours north of the city. Icelandic State Park is a 912-acre preserve on the northern shore of Lake Renwick. Open year-round, this tranquil recreation area has over four miles of trails and includes the 200-acre Gunlogson Nature Preserve, a wooded area along Tongue River that provides sanctuary for many rare species of birds, plants, and wildlife.
The 1.51-mile Old Settlers Trail loops through the Gunlogson Nature Preserve, offering visitors a chance to see some of the park's most beautiful spots. Pack a picnic for your day trip to enjoy an outdoor lunch under the shady oak trees, then enjoy a leisurely paddle at the park’s swim beach.
Icelandic State Park is more than just a destination for hiking, swimming, or picnicking. It’s also home to several restored historic buildings, including a church and community hall. Drop into the Pioneer Heritage Center to view historical exhibits of North Dakota’s homesteading past and browse their library of local history.
North Dakota Museum of Art
Distance from Grand Forks: within the city
Have a day out right in the heart of Grand Forks by spending a few hours marvelling at the artwork in the North Dakota Museum of Art. The official art museum of the State of North Dakota, the museum began in the 1970s as a temporary exhibition space for students. Today it houses three galleries with rotating exhibitions of local, national, and international art. Exhibits change quarterly, but the museum also has an extensive permanent collection featuring over 3,000 pieces.
From Native American paintings to contemporary photography, and from striking sculptures to thought-provoking video shorts, there’s plenty to keep art-lovers and amateur enthusiasts occupied in the museum. A cafe serves up fresh fare on weekdays, and there’s also a busy events schedule of concerts, auctions, guest lectures, and kids' activities. Before you leave, pick up a souvenir of your trip at the gift shop, which sells prints, handmade jewellery, and toys for the kids. The museum is open daily, with extended hours on weekends. It’s closed on major holidays. There are no admission fees, but donations are encouraged.
Red River Zoo
Distance from Grand Forks: 81.8 miles, 1hr 15 mins
If you’re looking to keep the kids occupied for the day, plan a family day out at the Red River Zoo in Fargo, south of Grand Forks. Focused on species that thrive in a climate similar to North Dakota’s, the zoo is a 33-acre compound containing around 89 species from around the world. The zoo is renowned for its successful breeding programs, which have contributed to the conservation of some of the world’s rare and endangered species, including the Chinese Red Panda, Pallas' Cat, and Sichuan Takin.
The zoo features several indoor and outdoor viewing areas, including the recently renovated White-naped Crane and Pallas’ Cat exhibits. Another popular stop is the American River Otter exhibit, which opened in 2013. The kids will get a kick out of the Children’s Zoo Farm and Nature’s Playland, and everyone in the family will enjoy a ride on the Diederich Carousel, a restored 1928 carousel which was donated to the zoo in 1998. The Red River Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There’s no entry fee for children under two, and reduced rates are available for youth and seniors.
Fort Totten State Historical Site
Distance from Grand Forks: 101.9 miles, 1hr 40 mins
West of Grand Forks, Fort Totten State Historical Site has a fascinating past. Originally built as a military outpost in 1867, the site was later converted from its rough-and-ready log fort into a series of brick buildings that housed a Native American boarding school, tuberculosis preventorium, and reservation school. The fort, which is considered one of the best-preserved frontier military posts west of the Mississippi River, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
In a nod to the fort’s diverse history, self-guided tours invite visitors to explore the grounds from the perspective of a soldier, a young Chippewa student, a teacher, or a teenage Dakota student. Each character is based on oral histories collected from Spirit Lake tribal members and other 19th- and 20th-century sources. Must-see exhibits include the Commissionary Storehouse, the boarding school, and the preventorium. In all, 16 original buildings are preserved at the site. Visitors can also see demonstrations of 1800s traditions and crafts, and historical presentations from expert guides.
Fort Totten State Historical Site is open daily from Memorial Weekend through to Labor Day, and the grounds are open year-round, Monday to Friday.
North American Bison Discovery Center
Distance from Grand Forks: 153.7 miles, 2hr 24 mins
North America’s largest terrestrial animal and the national mammal of the United States, the majestic bison is no ordinary animal. Learn all about the buffalo, and the myths and legends associated with them, at the North American Bison Discovery Center in Jamestown, southwest of Grand Forks.
One of the most unique museums of its kind, the Center’s goal is to advocate for the restoration of the bison through education and outreach. An introductory film, rotating exhibits, and interactive displays tell the story of the American icon that’s become symbolic of the Midwest. Kids will love the Bison Calf Play Area, suitable for those under 8, and the Discovery Center Store, which carries a full range of buffalo-themed souvenirs.
The highlight of your day, however, will be seeing the bison for yourself. The Center has two resident herds which can be viewed from a distance or met up close on a pasture tour. Tours run from the end of May to the end of August, providing visitors with the opportunity to learn about bison behavior, herd dynamics, and management practices. Suitable for kids aged eight and up, the tour is available on Fridays and Saturdays. The museum is open year-round; however, its opening hours vary seasonally, so it’s best to check before planning your visit.
Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site
Distance from Grand Forks: 80.8 miles, 1hr 25 mins
At the height of the Cold War, a base in North Dakota played a crucial role in America’s defense as tensions escalated and the world teetered on the brink. You can relive that tumultuous era in American History at the Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site, a short drive west from Grand Forks.
The site is home to the Oscar-Zero Missile Alert Facility and the November-33 Launch Facility, the last of its kind left intact. Get a guided tour of the topside facility to see how the men and women guarding America’s nuclear defence operations lived, then go underground to the hub of the operations, the Launch Control Center. A permanent exhibit gives insight into the enduring legacy of the Cold War through historic photographs and an award-winning short film. The Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site is open from April to October. Tours are available from November to March by appointment only.
North Dakota in a Day
Day-trip destinations let travelers make the most of their time in North Dakota. From the convenient base of Grand Forks, visitors can plan short drives that highlight the state’s diverse experiences. Meet a red panda, hike a homestead, tour a nuclear base, join a bison herd, see powerful works of art, or walk through an 1800s fort. Each destination reveals another side of the state, offering a direct glimpse into North Dakota’s history, wildlife, and expansive landscapes.
