7 Coolest North Dakota Towns For A Summer Vacation In 2025

Big skies, rolling prairies, and those spectacularly nature-sculpted Badlands make North Dakota one of America’s greatest road trips. In fact, the Peace Garden State welcomes over 25 million visitors each year, which is enough for you to include it in your 2025 travels. Best of all, North Dakota’s small towns are big on authentic experiences, making them ideal places to spend a summer vacation. Whether you’re planning the next family trip or are simply searching for travel ideas and inspiration, these seven North Dakota destinations deliver landmark attractions, cool summer events and festivals, and quality lodgings, all wrapped up in the state’s trademark hospitality.

Medora

Located at the gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s South Unit, Medora is North Dakota’s undisputed summer show town. Its Burning Hills Amphitheatre hosts the Medora Musical nightly from early June to mid-September, celebrating its 60th season in 2025 with country classics, can‑can dancers, and a stunning sunset backdrop. For even more fun, arrive early and grab a ticket to the open‑air Pitchfork Steak Fondue for a delicious rib‑eye meal flash‑fried over an open fire.

Cool daytime adventures start on the Maah Daah Hey Trail, a 144‑mile single‑track epic prized by mountain bikers, hikers, and trail‑runners alike. Enjoy golf? Head to the butte‑to‑butte fairways of Bully Pulpit Golf Course, ranked as USA Today’s No. 1 public course for 2025 and open April to October. As for accommodation, popular choices include the historic Rough Riders Hotel, famous for its collection of Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt memorabilia, including first editions of the president’s writings.

Valley City

Dubbed the “City of Bridges,” Valley City straddles the Sheyenne River and is home to the engineering marvel that is the Hi‑Line Railroad Bridge. Completed in 1908, this 3,860‑foot single‑track bridge stands 162 feet above the valley floor; watching trains trundle over it never gets old. Rail fans will also want to check out the Rosebud Visitor Center, home to a rare Northern Pacific superintendent’s railcar from 1881. Another cool thing to do is take a drive along the 63‑mile Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway to Baldhill Dam and the Standing Rock Historic Site.

Within town, Medicine Wheel Park highlights Native American history with a 213‑foot stone circle and 12 documented burial mounds spread across a 30‑acre site. Time your arrival for June 13 - 15, 2025, and join in the fun of the Rally in the Valley, a downtown classic‑car event that includes a drive, parade, and a day‑long street dance. This cool event tends to fill hotel rooms fast, so book your riverfront accommodations at GrandStay Hotel & Suites well in advance.

Jamestown

Jamestown, aka “Buffalo City,” certainly deserves its cool nickname. It’s here you’ll find Dakota Thunder, a 26‑foot‑tall concrete bison that watches over Interstate 94 and the neighboring National Buffalo Museum. This must-do attraction does a great job explaining the natural and cultural sides of these magnificent plains creatures, and has a live bison herd located on-site.

Summer 2025 kicks off in Jamestown with the quirky, week‑long Fort Seward Wagon Train from June 22-28. This family-friendly event includes hiking and horseback riding between prairie campsites by day and sharing campfire stories by night. Fascinating interpretive tours at the Fort Seward Post are also available. When it comes time to bed down for the night, downtown’s Gladstone Inn & Suites offers 16 themed rooms, a heated indoor pool, and easy access to the shops at Frontier Village, as well as the North American Bison Discovery Center.

Devils Lake

While Devils Lake, North Dakota’s largest natural lake, is famous among fishers for its record walleye. If being outdoors and fishing are among your favorite things to do, head to Grahams Island State Park. One of the state’s few heavily forested campgrounds, it’s a great place to rent a boat for a pleasure cruise or fishing expedition, or even some kayaking (guided fishing tours and scenic sunset cruises are also available). A few miles south of town, the White Horse Hill National Game Preserve is a cool spot to see critters such as bison and elk.

Other fun warm-weather activities set for 2025 include the 33rd Annual Devils Run Car Show. Taking place from May 30 - June 1, it attracts more than 800 classic vehicles expected to participate in parades and displays. Accommodations are plentiful here, with popular options including Spirit Lake Casino & Resort, known for its concerts and gambling, and Woodland Resort, where you can book a cozy lakeside cabin or park the RV.

Minot

If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to vacation in Scandinavia, then Minot might be exactly what you’re looking for. The town attracted many early settlers to the region from Sweden, resulting in a rich Nordic heritage is on display at places like Scandinavian Heritage Park. Here you’ll not only find a replica of a traditional Gol stave church, but also a 25-foot-tall Swedish Dala horse, and even a Danish windmill, all free to visit.

Aviation buffs should make their way to the Dakota Territory Air Museum. This super cool museum is home to one of the Midwest’s largest collections of airworthy WWII aircraft, some of which you may even see being put through their paces. The Roosevelt Park Zoo is another cool family attraction, which this year adds a new African Plains giraffe experience to its roster of exotic creatures. For accommodations, book a few summer nights at the stylish Hotel Revel for a comfy stay.

Dickinson

An oil boomtown that has since become a regional commercial and tourism hub, Dickinson is an ideal base from which to explore the Badlands. Highlights for summer vacationers include the Badlands Dinosaur Museum, which has fascinating displays of a massive tyrannosaur cast, along with numerous fossils. If you can visit in early summer, the big draw is the Roughrider Days Fair & Expo. Starting mid-June and culminating in a big celebration on July 4, 2025, you’ll enjoy professional rodeo events, a thrilling demolition derby, and, of course, spectacular Independence Day fireworks.

Enjoy cool outdoor activities? Head to Patterson Lake Recreation Area to paddle and lounge on the beach. And for a great place to stay, the Astoria Hotel & Event Center provides oversized suites with kitchenettes, an indoor splash‑park for the kids, and even a free airport shuttle.

Williston

Sitting at the crossroads of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, Williston is a great summer holiday destination. Summer kicks off in June when costumed traders, musicians, and re-enactors head to Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site for its famous Rendezvous event. This popular living‑history fair features everything from period crafts to campfire cooking, along with ample opportunities to interact with costumed reenactors. Just five miles downstream, the Missouri‑Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center provides details of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition at the spot where they camped in 1805.

Just a 25-minute drive east of town, and you’ll find yourself at Lewis & Clark State Park on Lake Sakakawea. In addition to marina slips and boat and kayak rentals, a series of multi‑use trails head out into the Badlands. It’s also popular for anglers wanting to catch a trophy walleye, while birders can look for white pelicans along the shoreline. Back in town, Landmark Suites Williston has spacious units with kitchenettes and outdoor grills, perfect for long‑stay fishing parties.

The Final Word

North Dakota’s best small towns prove that memorable holidays don’t require big‑city buzz. In addition to benefiting from less congestion and easy parking, as well as friendly locals, these seven cool North Dakota towns will ensure you enjoy a memorable summer vacation in 2025. So pack your bags and make your way to the Peace Garden State for a fun time.