7 Close-Knit Towns to Visit in North Dakota

Plan your next trip to one of America’s friendliest states, North Dakota. The Sioux word “Dakota” means “friend” or “ally,” a feeling reflected in the International Peace Garden near the US-Canada border. North Dakota’s close-knit towns embody friendliness and hospitality, offering memorable experiences for visitors. These small towns, once called “romantic” by President Theodore Roosevelt, showcase community spirit alongside roaming bison and breathtaking landscapes. Make lasting memories in North Dakota, the nation’s leading honey producer and a land of welcoming communities.

Walhalla

Walhalla, set along the Pembina River, offers natural beauty and rich history. While it may not match the Norsemen’s paradise, Walhalla is a scenic retreat with landmarks like Pembina Gorge, Tetrault Woods State Forest, and the Tetrault State Forest Lookout Point. History enthusiasts can visit the Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site, an 1840s trading post once owned by Métis legislator Antoine Blanc Gingras. Additionally, the Kittson Trading Post functioned as a trading center for Norman Kittson, an agent of the American Fur Company established in the year 1843. Should you wish to see more of Walhalla’s historic and natural bounties, you can always book a room at either the Moose Creek Lodge or the Forestwood Inn.

Jamestown

Jamestown, “The Pride of the Prairie,” is home to Dakota Thunder, a 26-foot-tall buffalo statue. As the world’s largest buffalo statue, Dakota Thunder symbolizes the bison that graze the nearby prairies along the James and Pipestem Rivers. Learn about American bison conservation at the National Buffalo Museum. The best time to visit Jamestown is probably in June, when the Kite Fest fills Jamestown’s skies with paper colors. Additionally, you might want to stay for July when the James River Rodeo is in full swing. Only about midway between the big cities of Bismarck and Fargo can travelers seek accommodations in places like Gladstone Hotel for a happier vacation in Jamestown.

Bottineau

At the foothills of the Turtle Mountains near the Canadian border lies the vibrant town of Bottineau. Nicknamed “The Four Seasons’ Playground,” Bottineau offers year-round attractions and activities. Highlights include Mystical Horizons, known as the “Stonehenge of the Prairie,” with its unique stone formations. Recreational spots like Lake Metigoshe, Lords Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and Pelican Lake attract nature lovers. If you want, you can purchase delicious dairy from the last small-town creamery in North Dakota, the Pride Dairy. Don’t miss snapping a photo with Tommy the Turtle, a giant turtle statue on a snowmobile. Once you feel settled and satisfied in Bottineau, you can settle down in fine lodgings like the Turtle Mountain Inn or Cobblestone Inn & Suites.

Devil’s Lake

Just an hour and a half from Walhalla, Devil’s Lake offers an abundance of outdoor attractions. Despite its ominous name, Devil’s Lake is a top spot for boating, kayaking, and fishing. It is also a grand destination to go trekking, especially through the Grahams Island State Park’s many trails and through the White Horse Hill National Game Preserve, which is teeming with deer, elk, and bison. If you are interested in history, you can head over to Fort Totten to see a number of historic buildings from Lake Region’s past. Elsewhere, the Lake Region Pioneer Daughter’s Museum offers a discernable narrative regarding Devil’s Lake’s military and pioneering history. Those of you interested in seeing more of what Devil’s Lake has to offer should first consider booking a room in establishments like the Devil’s Lake Sportsmans Lodge, Devil’s Lake Inn, or Fort Totten Trail Inn.

Valley City

Around 60 miles away from the city of Fargo, Valley City glimmers in the Sheyenne River Valley. Whether you are reviewing Valley City’s contributions to agriculture at the Barnes County Museum or taking photographs of the town’s mascot, Gundy the Triceratops, you will undoubtedly find more surprises and amenities awaiting in this beautiful town in the Sheyenne River Valley. Destinations such as Camp Sheardown State Historic Site and Fort Ransom State Park give you more insights into Valley City’s complex past, whereas places such as the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway, Lake Ashtabula, and the Sheyenne River are panoramic landscapes for you to take in the endless sublimity of North Dakota’s geographic features. Those of you who might become exhausted from all the traveling can seek accommodations at either the AmericInn, Grand Stay, or Three Oaks Guest Inn.

Minot

The magnificent though minuscule town of Minot, about an hour away from Devil’s Lake, is a miniaturized version of nearly all the Scandinavian countries in Europe. Travelers can take photographs of a windmill that is similar to those in Denmark; a stabbur (storehouse) akin to the other stabburs in Norway; a Dala horse inspired by the Dala horses in Sweden; and a sauna based on those in Finland. Most of these Nordic attractions can be found in the Scandinavian Heritage Park, but beyond that is the Dakota Territory Air Museum that shelters World War II aircraft the US Air Force utilized to win the war. There are plenty of more attractions to see in Minot, so consider booking a room in one of Minot’s resplendent lodgings like the Sierra Inn, the Hotel Revel, or Hyatt House.

Medora

Medora, on the Little Missouri River, was where President Theodore Roosevelt said 'the romance of my life began.' He called the town “the romance of his life” while tending cattle at the Maltese Cross Cabin, now open to visitors. In honor of Roosevelt, you can go exploring at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which is home to wild elk, prairie dogs, and bison, all prospering in the badlands. On the other hand, you might feel obliged to challenge your way of perception by exploring Perception, an optical illusion exhibit. At the Von Hoffman House, you can learn more about how Medora came into being. And at welcoming abodes like the Rough Riders Hotel, Hyde House, or Wooly Boys Inn, you can feel safe and satisfied in Roosevelt’s romance of his life, Medora.

Discover the Heart of North Dakota’s Small Towns

North Dakota is the nation’s top honey producer, adding sweetness to its small-town charm. From the unique attractions in Bottineau to the scenic beauty of Valley City, North Dakota’s small towns offer unforgettable experiences. You can take selfies and groupies of statuesque mascots in towns like Jamestown and Bottineau, or you can admire the agricultural landscapes and untamed prairies surrounding small towns like Medora and Minot. In every corner of North Dakota, visitors are met with warmth and hospitality.