7 Best Small Towns in North Dakota For A Weekend Escape
Nicknamed the "Peace Garden State" for its beautiful flora-filled park representing a pledge of allyship between Canada and the United States, it is no wonder North Dakota is known for its hospitality and friendliness. The name "Dakota," in fact, is an Indigenous Sioux word meaning "friend"; fittingly, as the state's cities and towns are known for their welcoming locals and overall geniality. But arguably, North Dakota is an underdog of tourism–underrated and undervalued despite its possession of countless beautiful landscapes and unique attractions, many of which can be found within its small towns. With crowd-pleasers like the breathtaking Turtle Mountains, the exciting Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and the vast and enticing Devils Lake, North Dakota boasts a hub of outdoor recreation, ideal for days of relaxation or adventure, no matter the traveler's desire. Paired with cozy lodgings (ranging from modern hotels to sleepy campgrounds under the stars), these North Dakota towns may just inspire you to take the road less traveled for your next weekend escape.
Medora
Named after the wife of Marquis de Mores (the town's founder), Medora is primarily beloved for its accessibility, acting as a gateway to the magnificent Theodore Roosevelt National Park, whose serene land and nature welcomes around 600,000 visitors each year. This is an especially impressive crowd, given that North Dakota's entire population sat at 779,261 thousand as of 2022. But it is not surprising that this park draws in such large numbers, with over 70,000 acres of scenic land to witness and experience. Split into three separate units (the South Unit, North Unit, and Elkhorn Ranch); visitors can explore the park's diverse landscapes, varying from lush rolling hills to dry, rugged badlands.
The park also offers a variety of family-friendly attractions, such as the painted canyon overlooking the badlands, Theodore Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin (originally built in the late 1800s), and a scenic driving loop with paved roads and undefeated views of the majestic bison and other wildlife. For those looking to enjoy the sights and scenes for more than a day, the park has two primitive campgrounds. But visitors can also find a variety of accommodations outside the park, like the Badlands Motel, a rustic Western-themed stay with modern amenities, including an outdoor pool, flat-screen televisions, and more.
Fort Ransom
A town known for its history and dazzling pockets of nature, Fort Ransom is pleasantly located along the famous Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway, an award-winning, 63-mile tourist route. With this incredible scenic entrance, the breathtaking landscapes only continue the further you venture through Fort Ransom, with places like Fort Ransom State Park, whose miles of wooded trails offer the perfect escape into nature. Named after an 1860s military fort that no longer stands, this beautiful park is also favored for its location along the mighty Sheyenne River, popular for kayaking (with rentals conveniently available on-site).
In addition to enjoying the river's water recreation, hiking or horseback riding through the park's trails is another popular pastime, with paths like the North Country National Scenic Trail, a 2.20-mile stretch with views of the river, surrounding wildlife, and the park's diverse flora. But the park's unique accommodations may be what truly sets it apart from other state parks; in addition to the more conventional campsites, there is the Bjone House, a historic pioneer home built in 1879, updated with modern amenities. There is also the Percheron Wagon, a rustic and quirky pioneer wagon-inspired accommodation that can sleep several guests comfortably.
Bottineau
Nestled in the beautiful and flourishing Turtle Mountains, the chipper town of Bottineau is another ideal weekend destination for anyone hoping to escape to nature. Risen 2,000 feet above sea level, the town's vibrant forested land is by far one of the community's anchoring features, luring vacationers and locals alike. Attractions like the Homen State Forest, with 4,740 acres of thriving forest, picturesque grasslands, and sparkling wetlands, invite visitors to become one with the tranquil wilderness through hiking and fishing. The forest includes hotspots like the Hartley Boundary Primitive Area, a 640-acre stretch whose scenic trails will lead hikers and fishers to two stunning lakes: Hartley and Boundary.
While camping in the forest is a popular choice for nature enthusiasts, visitors may also opt to stay in a cozy indoor accommodation. Places like Turtle Mountain Inn offer comfortable and modern amenities while also acting as a convenient gateway to nature, with the Homen State Forest just a short drive away. Access to eclectic restaurants and shops is another fabulous perk of the inn, with Bottineau's downtown close by, within a comfortable walking distance. This includes restaurants like Marie's, whose specialized American dining and refreshing cocktails are famous in Bottineau and the surrounding towns.
Valley City
Rightfully nicknamed the "City of Bridges", Valley City is a small, close-knit community whose attractions (ranging from awe-inspiring manmade structures to equally impressive natural wonders) make this the perfect place to spend a weekend strolling, exploring, and learning about local history. Most importantly, no visit to the City of Bridges is complete without using the free, downloadable Historic Bridges Guide (available online) to learn about the town's architectural marvels. Using the guide to tour each of the town's eight bridges and their magnificent views, visitors can also learn about each structure and its fascinating history, like the iconic Hi-Line Bridge, for example, whose path bore the movement of soldiers during both World Wars. Other bridges, like the 1929 West City Park Bridge, have also been included on the National Register of Historical Places.
Notably, these incredible structures overlook the beautiful Sheyenne River, whose sparkling waters flow through the town. This 325-mile-long tributary of the Red River not only creates breathtakingly scenic views from the overlooking bridges, but it is also an excellent body of water for kayaking due to the river's gentle currents. All in all, Valley City's blend of manmade and natural splendor makes this community an excellent candidate for a weekend getaway, especially if you are a history or nature enthusiast.
Devil's Lake
Home to the largest natural lake in North Dakota, Devil's Lake is a slice of heaven, perfect for cooling down during the summer months due to the town's abundance of water recreation. Devil's Lake (the lake for which the town is named) has an impressive 120,000 acres of water, and its vast size is perfect for making sure its 375 miles of shoreline can be enjoyed by the crowds that flock here. Water skiing, fishing, boating, and swimming are just some of the exciting activities available thanks to the lake, and Grahams Island State Park (located on Grahams Island, in the heart of Devils Lake) offers stunning sandy beaches, shaded picnic areas, and world-class fishing, even hosting national fishing tournaments throughout the year.
If you are hoping to stay in Devil's Lake, with easy access to the outdoors, the town has a variety of cabin rentals and campgrounds, but many choose to stay at Grahams Island State Park. The park's mix of modern and primitive campsites (as well as comfortable cabins) offers the choice between a bed or tent, but the true star of this accommodation is the convenience of waking up surrounded by the park's natural landscape, with access to the encompassing lake. For a more luxurious stay in Devil's Lake, with nature as your backdrop, the town also has a variety of resorts, each offering pleasant views of the water. Lakeview Lodge, Bayview Resort, and Woodland Resort are just a few local favorites.
Walhalla
Walhalla, a northeastern North Dakota gem, is another town whose outdoor recreation anchors the community, with crowds lured to the town's prized attractions: the Pembina River and Pembina Gorge. The Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area conveniently offers access to both, with 2,800 acres of land to behold, including impressive rugged cliffs, colorful wetlands, and miles upon miles of serene forest. Hiking is, of course, one of the favored attractions, and the park includes over 30 miles of trails, available to be hiked, biked, or even taken by horseback.
As aforementioned, the park is also favored for its access to the Pembina River (known for being North Dakota's one and only whitewater river), whose waters welcome large crowds of water sports enthusiasts, particularly for canoeing and kayaking. With all this natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and more, it is no wonder, then, that as of 2023, the North Dakota Legislature approved plans for a $6 million campground that will be built at the Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area. Until then, Walhalla offers other incredible nature-focused accommodations, like Riverside Park, with 35 campsites, a swimming pool, and access to the river.
Garrison
Found in the Lakes and Gardens region of North Dakota, the pleasant and picturesque town of Garrison is another community beloved for its access to stunning bodies of water–primarily Lake Sakakawea, whose vast 307,000 acres of water and epic shorelines lure visitors from all over North Dakota and beyond. Fort Stevenson State Park is a popular destination for this very reason; named after a historic military fort whose original location–now underwater–lies just a few miles from the park, today, the park is a thriving tourist attraction and a local hotspot for those looking to savor the lake and its surrounding nature.
You can find Fort Stevenson State Park on the northern shores of Lake Sakakawea, whose pleasant freshwater waves can be enjoyed from sandy beach shores, ideal for swimming, beachcombing, and sunbathing. Visitors can also cast off from the various boat ramps, as the park offers anything from motorized boat rentals to paddleboard rentals, as well as affordable paddleboard, kayak, canoe, and bike rentals. The park's biking and hiking trails are another popular perk of the park, including trails like the Flicker Loop, the Northern Pine Loop, and the Purple Coneflower Loop, each offering colorful winding paths through the vibrant woodlands and grasslands. All things considered, Garrison is an excellent getaway option for those looking to fill their weekend schedule to the brim with outdoor activities, water-based or land-based.
While some may not associate an exciting weekend getaway with a trip to North Dakota, the state's underrated small towns truly have so much to offer vacationers and travelers. From their vast lakes to their rushing rivers, these small towns are home to some of the country's most magnificent and special landscapes, proving that the road less traveled is sometimes simply waiting to be explored. For your next weekend getaway, consider traveling off the beaten path to this underdog state, whether that means swimming in North Dakota's largest natural lake, touring the same bridge soldiers marched in both World Wars, or setting up camp to sleep under the North Dakota sky.
