7 Most Bike-Friendly Towns in North Dakota

North Dakota is a beautiful state full of mountains, rivers, and relaxed countryside. The beautiful scenery and charming small towns make North Dakota the perfect place to enjoy biking. Depending on what part of North Dakota you visit, you will see different scenery. In towns like Belcourt, you can bike and enjoy scenic views of the Turtle Mountains. In Medora, you can enjoy trekking through the plateaus, and rolling prairies of the badlands. These are only a couple of the different biking adventures in North Dakota's small towns. Explore North Dakota's seven most bike-friendly towns.

Jamestown

Jamestown is the ideal town in North Dakota to bike around in and enjoy the outdoors and local culture. There are several multi-use trails in the area, including the must-see spot to visit for biking on scenic trails, the Jamestown Reservoir. Here you can do more than bike. Off the trail, there is the opportunity for swimming, fishing, and boating.

Jamestown is best known for its buffalo and is home to the world's largest buffalo monument. There is even a museum in town, the North American Bison Discovery Center, where you can learn more about the biology, natural history, and cultural significance of bison. History buffs will enjoy visiting the town's historical monuments and museums. At the Stutsman Memorial Museum, you can look at artifacts from the area's history. The Frontier Village will transport visitors into the town's pioneer past.

Devils Lake

Devil's Lake is a quaint lakeside town with something for everyone. Enjoy biking by the shore and through the charming town streets lined with quaint shops. Check out the Liqui Bean for a refreshing drink. Beyond biking, fishing and birding are popular activities in town.

Devil's Lake is actually known as "The Perch Capital of The World." In the winter, snowshoeing and skiing are popular activities in town. Grahams Island State Park and White Horse Hill National Game Preserve are two great places to enjoy these winter activities. Mountain biking is also popular at Grahams Island State Park.

Belcourt

Belcourt is a small North Dakota town surrounded by the beautiful Turtle Mountains. The town has lush green trees and mountain views and is perfect for biking in a quaint, scenic area. While in town, stop at the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Heritage Center to learn about the town's history. For some fuel on your biking adventures, stop at The Utter Stop for a tasty and hearty meal.

For some serious outdoor biking, visit Lake Metigoshe State. The park is a 35-minute drive from Belcourt and has 13 miles of hiking and biking trails, including a 3-mile interpretive section.

Valley City

One of the prettiest towns in North Dakota is Valley City. The town is ideal for biking, with lots of scenic trails, and is in the stunning Sheyenne River Valley. One of the best bike rides for a full day of serene views in Valley City is on the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway. On this Byway, you bike through Valley City, past lush forests and quaint towns, to Fort Ransom. For some quiet away from the roads and town, go to the town's kayak rental station and take a paddling trip out on the Sheyenne River. At night, wind down by stargazing at the Valley City State Planetarium. In addition, bicycle rentals are available at the Gaukler Wellness Center for those looking to rent a bike while here on vacation.

Mandan

Mandan is a charming, quiet town along the Missouri River. There are 25 new bike racks available for cyclists throughout town that Mandan received through a grant. The bike racks stretch from 2nd Avenue NE and 8th Avenue NW along Main Street and up to the Mandan Post Office at 3rd Street and Collins Avenue.

Ride through the streets and stop downtown to explore the local shops and check out the North Dakota State Railroad Museum. Browse through railroad artifacts and pictures and a 3,000-square-foot railroad display. Just outside of town, bike along the Missouri River and head to the Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. At LincoIn Park, you can enjoy historic military forts, scenic views, and winding paths to bike down. In the winter, check out Huff Hills Ski Adventure to enjoy four ski lifts.

Cartwright

Cartwright is a tiny town in North Dakota. With a population of under 500 residents, it is not an eventful place. However, the small town is a great destination for bikers. The town is home to the famed Fairview Bridge and Cartwright Tunnel. This unique rail trail is on a historic abandoned railroad lift bridge that serves as the gateway between North Dakota and Montana. This makes for a great biking experience.

Nearby the trail is the Fort Union Trading Post which was at one point in history the most important trading post in the Upper Missouri River. Walk around and get transported to the 1800s while exploring the old Post. Another historic attraction near Cartwright to check out is the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Center. This is the spot where the two great rivers converge. The interpretive center explores the history of the area.

Medora

To explore North Dakota's wilder terrain, head to the small town of Medora. The town is near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, a great place to do some riding. In the park, you can walk up to the Elkhorn Ranch Unit, the spot where the former president found serenity and solitude. Medora is also close to one of the most iconic trails in the state, The Maah Daah Hey trail. This trail can be hiked or biked, but it is not an easy, one-day affair. Spanning 144 miles through the rugged buttes, plateaus, and rolling prairies of the badlands, the Maah Daah Hey trail is a long, winding path.

However, the views make the distance worth the trek. After enjoying Medora by bike, take a break from the outdoors and explore some of the town's attractions, such as the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. Here, you can learn about the legends and history behind North Dakota's Wild West. Check out Billings County Courthouse Museum to learn about what the area was like in the pioneer days.

Overall North Dakota is a beautiful state with many bike-friendly towns. The midwestern charm of the small towns makes for an exciting biking adventure. In Cartwright, you can learn a lot about the area's fur trading history. In Valley City, you can enjoy scenic views of the Sheyenne River Valley. Whether you are looking for a relaxing biking trip where you can stop at antique shops and eateries or a wilderness adventure through the badlands, there is a town in North Dakota that will be the perfect fit for you.