7 Offbeat Towns to Visit in North Dakota
Known for its vast landscape with badlands and hilly great plains, North Dakota is the least populated state in the entire United States. It borders South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana, and it also borders two Canadian provinces as well, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. This land-locked state would be the perfect place to plan a road trip through. This state is an outdoorsy traveler's paradise home to five national parks, five state forests, 63 national wildlife refuges, three national grasslands, and 13 state parks. Additionally, within its borders are many unique and offbeat towns in North Dakota, offering authentic memories to all who visit.
Pembina, North Dakota
The motto of this offbeat town is the "oldest settlement in the Dakota Territories" which is quite accurate as it was founded in 1843 before North Dakota even became a state. Pembina was officially declared a town in 1885, and as of the 2020 census, the population is 512 in total. This town is conveniently located just 2 miles south of the Canadian-USA border.
A lot of the recreation in and around this small town is seasonal. LaMoure Memorial Golf Course and the nearby RV campground are closed for the winter months but will be reopened for the golf and camping seasons in May annually. Pembina is also home to the Airborne Alley MX Park, a track open to quads and motorcycles that follows the Red River. It is open year-round with an exception if there is flooding.
One place that can be enjoyed all year except for a few holidays is the Pembina State Museum. Several hundred years worth of Indigenous and Settler history can be found here and a fantastic view of the illustrious Red River can be seen from the museum's Observatory Tower.
Rugby, North Dakota
This small town was founded in 1886. Often listed as the geographic center of the North American continent, this town even has a monument declaring it as such; the plinth is sure to make for a great photo opportunity for those who love their landmarks.
Close by the Geographical Center of North America monument is the Prairie Village and Museum. A historical museum that showcases various occupations and lives of the settlers of the region. The museum is right next to the Northern Lights Tower, a tower built to admire Aurora Borealis as its lights dance across the night sky. One place to check out for its food and drink is a local place called 3rd Street Station. A hole-in-the-wall type of bar & grill that is sure to offer a welcoming atmosphere.
For another tidbit of information, Rugby has been selected to be featured in a 2024 “My Town” docuseries alongside six other rural communities in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. The filming in Rugby will take place in May 2024.
Center, North Dakota
The motto of this delightful town is "The rest of the world is okay, but it's better in Center," and is home to roughly 648 people. It has also been named the Scientific Center of North America. This town is even more unique in that it is the only incorporated city within Oliver County.
Close by to the town is Knife River Indian Villages, a national historic site in North Dakota. There are a few historical Indian villages located throughout the park. It is also a nature park and is used as a classroom to teach various subjects related to the history of the park.
For some outdoor excursions, the nearby Nelson Lake is a great place to go fishing and holds the state record of the largest bass caught took place in Nelson Lake. The lake never freezes during the winter due to the higher temperature from a nearby power plant, making fishing opportunities available any time of the year.
Garrison, North Dakota
Three miles south of Garrison is the Fort Stevenson Guardhouse Interpretive Center, which is a replica of the original military guardhouse. Every year during the Fourth of July celebrations, folks can step back in time to experience military life during the frontier days. The historical guardhouse is part of Fort Stevenson State Park where there is so much more to find and do. There is a recreation area, an RV park, and an arboretum. In the winter, some snowshoe and cross-country ski trails are available. Also, be sure to check out the SACA KOTA Theater where all movies are at 7:30 a.m. and the popcorn is still only 50 cents; a truly unique experience!
Belfield, North Dakota
This small town's motto is "Where Friends Meet on The Custer Trail." It is a town of only 996 total population that is a short 15-minute drive from the beautiful Theodore Roosevelt National Park. There is so much to do within the park itself including numerous scenic overlooks, wildlife to view, historical sites and so much more.
Twelve miles southeast of the town is a historical rock where two seemingly bored soldiers who had been pursuing the Sioux carved their names into a rock face. This is a unique monument to check out and perfect for photographing.
Within Belfield is the Roughrider Bar and Grill located on Main Street, which is an excellent place for food and visiting with friends. There is a pool to enjoy at Mike’s Bar on 1st Avenue, right next to the charming Belfield Theater.
Valley City, North Dakota
The population of this delightful town is around 6,575, with the motto of "City of Bridges." One of the attractions that should be checked out is the Hi-Line Railroad Bridge. It is one of the longest and highest single-track railroad bridges in the United States. The construction of the Bridge started in 1906, and the first train crossed it in 1908. It is a wonder for any architect and/or train enthusiast to behold.
An event that takes place annually in Valley City is the North Dakota Winter Fair, the longest-running and oldest agricultural show in the state. It is full of fun events to either view or take part in. It includes a ranch rodeo, livestock shows, a country concert, a craft show, and so much more. The next one takes place from March 6th to 10th, 2024.
Another unique landmark in Valley City is Medicine Wheel Park. It started as a class project in 1999 and has since evolved into a beautiful and educational resource for the town. Also, be sure to check out the Barnes County Museum. Founded in 1930, it showcases many artifacts from pioneering, military, and agricultural life, as well as the bones of Gundy the Triceratops.
Bottineau, North Dakota
Located only ten miles from the US-Canadian border, this small town houses a population of 2,194.
A park in Bottineau that houses a totally offbeat attraction is Tommy Turtle Park. It is named for Tommy Turtle, the world's largest giant turtle, which is commemorated riding a snowmobile in the park. The 10-acre park offers a variety of recreation for everyone to enjoy. RV parking, picnic shelters, tennis courts, and two large children's playground areas are among the recreation activities to enjoy.
A local bar to check out is the Dog House Saloon. It offers good food and drink, as well as a trivia night nearly every Wednesday! Mystical Horizons is a Stonehenge-like attraction within the nearby Turtle Mountain State Forest. It has a beautiful, scenic view overlooking farmland that is west of the Turtle Mountains. The structure is a working sundial that is designed to view the summer and winter solstice, as well as the equinox.
These seven offbeat towns in North Dakota each offer their own brands of wonderful and intriguing attractions, landmarks, and local points of interest. From a massive turtle edifice, to the famous Theodore Roosevelt National Park, there is something that hits every note in the rugged and unique towns within North Dakota.
