8 Whimsical Towns to Visit in North Dakota

The upper Midwest state of North Dakota is best known for being home to the stunning Badlands, now contained within the 70,000-acre Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The great state is surrounded by the beautiful Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, as well as the states of Minnesota and South Dakota. It was named after the indigenous Dakota Sioux and retains its wild, free-spirited feel with its open, flat lands and prairies, which seem to go on forever. Throughout the state, travelers will find friendly, whimsical small towns welcoming you in and providing the perfect bases to explore the rest of the state. The following eight towns are "must-sees" to add to your list the next time you take a trip.

Walhalla

Welcoming Walhalla is the second-oldest town in North Dakota, and its decorated history permeates all aspects of life there. Start your trip with a visit to the Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site, which transports visitors back to the mid-1800s with the home and trading post of the Metis legislator Antoine Blanc Gingras. You can also check out the 1843 Kittson Trading Post, which is known as one of the oldest structures in North Dakota.

Get outdoors and explore local wildlife, flora, and fauna at the Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area, which offers miles of biking, hiking, and horseback riding trails. You can also stay a night or more at one of the park's primitive camping sites and go fishing, kayaking, or tubing on the Pembina River.

Bottineau

Beautiful Bottineau is known as the state's "Four Season Playground" since it never slows down. Whether you're taking a winter weekend getaway or a summer family vacation, you'll find enough to do in this small town to keep you entertained for days. During the colder months, you can go snowmobiling or ice fishing on one of the area's waterways. When the weather warms up, take a leisurely stroll through the J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge on the Souris River Basin.

Start your visit at the Bottineau County Museum, where you can learn all about the region's rich history, and follow it up with an ice cream cone or other sweet treat at Pride Dairy, North Dakota's last small-town creamery. If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, check out Mystical Horizons, the "Stonehenge of the Prairie." The astronomical site is located on the edge of Turtle Mountain and treats night sky lovers to stunning views.

Devils Lake

When traveling through North Dakota on your next road trip, be sure to put charming Devils Lake on your "must-see" list, especially if you're an outdoors lover. Devils Lake draws visitors to the town that shares its name due to multiple opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming, kayaking, and canoeing. Grahams Island State Park is nestled along the lakeshore and offers miles of heavily wooded trails and a convenient campground for those who want to stay for a night or more. It also features an onsite bait shop, a fish-cleaning station, and a 4-lane boat ramp.

If history is your thing, check out the Lake Region Heritage Center for an introspective look into the region's pioneers, complete with exhibits, photographs, and artifacts. Stroll through historic Devils Lake, browsing the many unique stores, antique shops, and galleries. If you're visiting during the hot summer months and want to cool off in the community pool or enjoy an al fresco lunch, stop by Roosevelt Park.

Lisbon

The small, lovely town of Lisbon was founded in 1880 and has been charming to locals and visitors ever since. The charming community is known for its downtown, filled with historic buildings, friendly residents, and a warm, welcoming feel. Lisbon is also known as the gateway to Fort Ransom State Park and the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway. The Sheyenne is the town's centerpiece, as it flows right through the center, and is available for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, or just admiring from the banks.

The Lisbon Opera House, which dates back to 1889, is the sweet town's pride and joy. It hosts a variety of music concerts, dance performances, theater productions, and community events throughout the year. The Ransom County Courthouse, one of the town's architectural landmarks, is another attraction worthy of a visit.

Garrison

Although quaint Garrison is known as a mecca for hunters and anglers because Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon surround it, it also offers an abundance of activities for travelers who have a wide range of interests and passions. The pretty, small town was founded in 1905 due to the Great Northern Railway and celebrates its rich history in various ways. Check out the North Dakota Fishing Hall of Fame, which is interesting enough to entertain the entire family.

The town's historic train depot serves as the Heritage Park and Museum's location, bringing Garrison's past to life with unique period items, two fully furnished homestead houses, and a log cabin. Just three miles south of Garrison, the Fort Stevenson Guardhouse Interpretive Center treats visitors to a replica of the original military guardhouse home to memorabilia, artifacts, and a full-size rifled cannon.

Medora

What makes tiny Medora stand out from all the other undiscovered gems in North Dakota is that it lies within the expansive and beautiful Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The park puts Medora on the map and draws visitors in with its unique location and Midwest hospitality. The town also attracts golfers looking for a unique setting, as the Bully Pulpit Golf Course is nestled right in the Badlands and offers a breathtaking view from every angle.

Other attractions that delight visitors of all ages include the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame and the historic and charming Chateau de Mores, once the town founder's summer home. Another visit-worthy stop is the Maltese Cross Cabin, which depicts Theodore Roosevelt's life during the end of the 19th Century.

Jamestown

Whimsical and historic Jamestown is in the heart of the North Dakota Prairie. It treats visitors to a large list of outdoor recreational opportunities and exciting attractions. Aptly dubbed the "Pride of the Prairie," Jamestown's story began in 1872, and you can learn all about the area's interesting past at the Stutsman County Museum. Another place you won't want to miss is the 26-foot buffalo sculpture, the ideal place to take memorable vacation photos. The sculpture dates back to 1959 and has the distinction of being the world's largest bison monument.

Another spot that history lovers will enjoy is the Jamestown Frontier Village, which offers realistic reenactments of early pioneer life on the prairie. The centerpiece of the village is Louis L'Amour's writers' shack, which celebrates the life and works of the author known for his American West-themed books. For those wanting to go on a nature adventure, check out the expansive Split Rock Trail, which winds through scenic and rugged terrain.

No matter if you're just passing through the great state of North Dakota or are making it your main vacation destination, you'll find enough there to keep you entertained throughout the duration of your trip. North Dakota has something for everyone from the famed Badlands to the rich Western history that began in the free-spirited pioneer days. From north to south and east to west, the state's small, whimsical towns will make you feel at home and give you and your family memories to last a lifetime.