9 Top-Rated Small Towns In North Dakota

When the United States acquired vast territory from France with the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, it received most of the lands of modern-day North Dakota.

Admitted to the United States in 1889 alongside South Dakota, the state is entirely of vast prairies and has robust agricultural and energy industries.

The state is known for its fantastic fishing and also the cold winters that roll through. More importantly, it is known for its friendly communities and the warm personalities of its people.

These nine North Dakota are some of the state's best, top-rated towns.

Lisbon

Near Lisbon, the swaying tallgrass of the Sheyenne National Grasslands stretches out into the disappearing North Dakota horizon.

The Lisbon Opera House is a true architectural treasure in the city's heart. Dedicated individuals in the community are working to restore the opera house to its original splendor from the late 1890s.

Right next door is the Scenic Theater, which has been showing movies since 1911 and calls itself one of the oldest-running theaters in the country.

The town is the gateway to Fort Ransom State Park in the Sheyenne River Valley. The park has some fun rental options, like a yurt to stay in overnight.

The park lies along one of the longest walking trails in the country, the North Country National Scenic Trail, which runs 4,800 miles and crosses eight states. While that is a bit far to do all at once, you can at least try the portion close to Libson.

Valley City

Known as the ‘City of Bridges’ with its collection of beautiful bridges, Valley City lies in the Sheyenne River Valley.

The High Line Bridge stretches across the Sheyenne River, spanning 3,860 feet and standing 162 feet high.

Valley City's downtown, a hub of mom-and-pop eateries, diverse cuisine, and friendly locals, gives a delightful blend of art and hospitable Sheyenne Valley recommendations.

Chautauqua Park is a nice place for a quiet day outside, with walking trails, and open green spaces. It even has some volleyball if you feel like hitting the courts.

The Medicine Wheel Park is another perfect place to spend a day outside. The park has Native American-inspired sculptures and a solar calendar. There are twelve burial mounds within the park's borders, the same kind used by Indigenous people 500 to 2,000 years ago.

If you are driving, take a detour to the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway, a 63-mile ride that weaves around near the Lake Ashtabula area.

Walhalla

Walhalla was one of the first settlements in North Dakota and was a thriving community made up of Chippewa Indians, French settlers, and Métis.

In 2023, around 900 people call the town home. The town is in the state's far north, only 15 minutes from the Canadian border.

In town, the Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site is a trip back in time to 1840. The site is historical and was the home and trading post of Métis Antoine Blanc Gingras.

The site has two buildings, meticulously restored log structures with original colors, telling the story of Métis heritage and the fur trade through interpretive displays. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Check out the Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area in Walhalla, which has over 2,800 acres of public land and features cliffsides overlooking the sweeping prairies. There are over 30 miles of trails to hike, mountain bike, or ride off-highway vehicles.

Minot

Founded in 1887 as a Great Northern Railway winter camp, Minot swiftly transformed from a tent town into a bustling community of 5,000 in just five months.

Inside modern-day Minot is the dramatic architecture of the life-sized replica of a stave church from Gol, Norway.

The church sits inside the Scandinavian Heritage Park, an enchanting destination with mementos and reproductions from the five Scandinavian and Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

Wander through a genuine Stabbur, a traditional Norwegian storehouse or storage building, and gaze up at the towering 25-foot Swedish Dala Horse.

Despite having less than 50,000 people, Minot also has a 65-piece symphony orchestra, lending the community a rich cultural experience and reflecting the city's commitment to the arts.

The annual Norsk Høstfest, the largest Scandinavian festival in North America, offers traditional cuisine and global entertainment and is held at the end of September to the start of October.

Devils Lake

Don’t let the name throw you off; this town is not as devilish as it sounds. Devils Lake sits on the north shore of the lake of the same name.

The name came from settlers misinterpreting the Indigenous word for the lake 'Spirit Lake' as 'Bad Spirit,' gradually leading to 'Devils.'

Devils Lake is the biggest lake in the state and is acclaimed for its fishing. The lake is called the 'Perch Capital of the World.'

Are you coming in winter? That is no problem. You can try out some ice fishing, but remember to dress warm.

Grahams Island State Park is a great way to spend the day outdoors on a peninsula that sticks out into Devils Lake.

When you visit the park, you can lounge by the lake, meander along hiking trails, or swim at the beach. During the winter season, you can throw on some snowshoes and explore.

White Horse Hill National Game Preserve is a national wildlife refuge just north of town. You will likely see some American Bison, one of the most iconic North American animals, when you go.

Bottineau

No matter what time of the year you come to Bottineau, you will find something to enjoy. This town sits at the bottom of the Turtle Mountains, inside the International Peace Garden by the Canadian border.

The International Peace Garden is a 2,339-acre botanical garden celebrating peace between the United States and Canada and houses more than 150,000 varieties of flowers

If you love ice cream, the town is home to Pride Dairy, which is considered some of the best ice cream in the entire country.

The town is just a short drive from the outdoors, and you can take a leisurely day on the water at Lake Metigoshe or hit the slopes in the winter at Bottineau Winter Park.

For something different, check out Mystical Horizons, nicknamed the ‘Stonehenge of the Prairies.’

The site has fantastic views of the surrounding farmlands. Check your calendar for the best time to come as the structures were made to best view the summer and winter solstices and the equinox.

Garrison

If you are driving through McLean County and see a 26-foot Walleye fish, you know you are in Garrison.

The town is called the 'Walleye Capital of the World' and Wally the Walleye is the statue that represents the title.

Only a block from Main Street, the Heritage Park and Museum educates about the town's history, with a 1905 train depot acting as the museum. The park also has a log cabin, furnished homestead houses, and more.

The Fort Stevenson State Park, just south of town, is found on the north shores of Lake Sakakawea, a large reservoir on the Missouri River.

Inside the park, the Fort Stevenson Guardhouse Interpretive Center is a replication of a military guardhouse that once stood in the area. There is even a life-sized three-inch rifled cannon!

Around town, the nearby Wildlife Management Areas i is suitable for hunting, while Lake Sakakawea and nearby Lake Audubon are ideal for any fishermen, with abundant catches at your disposal. 

New Salem

Sitting in the peaceful rolling terrain of Morton County, New Salem was initially founded back in 1883.

The town is home to just under a thousand people and is easily recognized by the giant cow standing on the edges of the nearby hills.

Salem Sue, as the statue is called, is the world’s most giant Holstein cow, standing 38 feet tall and an impressive 50 feet long.

The New Salem Historical Society/Custer Trail Museum teaches essential lessons on local history. Founded in 1969, it aims to preserve the town's and county's local history.

They have acquired buildings, hosted fundraisers, and restored structures like the 1910 Christensen house, highlighting their commitment to historic preservation.

Just east of town is Sweet Briar Lake, a North Dakota-designated scenic area. The lake is the perfect place to relax on a hot day, do some fishing, or lounge quietly on a boat.

Jamestown

Before any settlers came to the area, bison reigned across the grassy terrain of modern-day Jamestown.

The memory of the great animal that once spread out over the continent is represented strongly in Jamestown. It is home to the World's Largest Buffalo Monument, standing 26 feet tall and made up of 60 tons of concrete.

The town is also home to the National Buffalo Museum, explaining the story of the American bison and advocating for the restoration of the proud animal across the land.

For sports enthusiasts, the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame on 3rd Avenue in downtown Jamestown is a must-visit, showcasing the best of the state's top athletes.

Enjoy a fun-filled day at the Jamestown Reservoir, boasting numerous picnic spots under the sun, two beaches, and approximately three miles of scenic trails to trek. If you like hitting the water, the site has seven boat launches and over 2,400 acres of water surface area to sail on.

North Dakota's Small-Town Charm

North Dakota offers diverse options, from the charming Valley City with its picturesque bridges to the historical Walhalla and the vibrant cultural scene in Minot.

The towns have a fun, unique charm, like Wally the Walleye statue in Garrison or Salem Sue standing on the hills outside New Salem.

Each town's distinct attractions contribute to the state's rich atmosphere, inviting visitors to discover its natural beauty and heritage.

When you think of traveling, North Dakota might not be the first thought, but visit and find out how fun the state can be.