These 7 Small Towns in North Dakota Come Alive in Fall
While the most popular states to experience fall in the US tend to be Vermont, and Michigan, North Dakota is an underrated state, with spectacular fall views. The state has everything from gorgeous fall foliage to bustling small-town festivals that celebrate the harvest season. Many of North Dakota's small towns come alive in the fall. Discover Bismarck for its pumpkin patches and corn mazes. Take a trip to Bottineau, another charming North Dakota town where fall brings stunning, golden hues views of foliage surrounding Lake Metigoshe. For travelers looking to experience the allure of fall in North Dakota, look no further!
Medora
For nature lovers looking for a quiet town with a serene atmosphere, Medora is it. Medora is unique and conveniently located due to its proximity to the gorgeous Theodore Roosevelt National Park, boasting a stunning 70,446 acres. In the fall, the park is an ideal spot in North Dakota to witness the breathtaking foliage amongst the badlands. One of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of the park is by hiking on one of the many trails, or by taking a scenic drive to see the Painted Canyon and the Little Missouri River. The sight of the Little Missouri River reflecting the reds and golds of the falling leaves will leave visitors speechless!
The town of Medora itself is small, with only 150 residents, but there is plenty to do. Besides exploring the outdoors, you can stroll through the town and visit Chateau de Mores. This is a charming historic building that belonged to the founder of the town.
Bottineau
Another North Dakotan town with notable natural attractions is Bottineau. The town is near Lake Metigoshe State Park, a park in the scenic Turtle Mountains. It is one of the most popular places in North Dakota for hiking, camping, kayaking, canoeing, and birding. In the fall, the park transforms with brilliant colors, making for some amazing photos. Another popular spot to visit in Bottineau is the International Peace Garden. The garden is a celebration of peace, cooperation, and friendship among nations. In fall, the garden has beautiful colors and is well worth the visit.
Bismarck
If pumpkin patches and corn mazes are what get you excited for fall, then Bismarck is the North Dakota town for you. Bismarck has some of the most charming farms that come alive with pumpkin patches and corn mazes in the fall. One of the most popular pumpkin patches to visit is Papa's Pumpkin Patch. Beyond selling pumpkins fresh from the patch, they have a nature trail, hay rides, and plenty of activities for kids to enjoy. For corn mazes, check out Coleman Corn Maze. They have a challenging 10-acre corn maze and pick your corn. From pumpkin patches to corn mazes, Bismarck is a town where the whole family can get into the spirit of fall.
Garrison
Garrison is another North Dakota town that welcomes fall by celebrating North Dakota's agricultural scene. The town hosts the annual Aw Shucks! Corn Fest, drawing in folks from across the state. The festival has many activities to enjoy, including a cook-off, a tractor show, live music, and of course, a corn shucking contest. Besides the Corn Fest, Garrison itself has a natural beauty in fall. The town is alongside Lake Sakakawea, one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States. The reflection of the fall colors makes for dreamy views visitors will not want to miss.
Minot
Minot is a small North Dakota town that is a popular tourist destination in the fall. This is thanks to the Norsk Hostfest, one of North Dakota's most popular fall festivals. The festival celebrates all things Scandinavian and is the perfect cultural event to welcome fall. The festival lasts several days and features activities including culinary creations, nightly dances, live demonstrations, and Vikings. A great spot to check out in Minot after Norsk Hostfest is the town's Scandinavian Heritage Park. The park honors the five Scandinavian countries, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. There are cute replica buildings, including the full-size replica of the Gol Stave Church. In fall, the sight of the charming buildings amongst fall foliage is a magical experience not to be missed.
Walhalla
One of North Dakota's oldest towns is Walhalla. Just a few miles from the Canadian border, Walhalla has some cool historic places to explore. Some of the most popular historic destinations include the Gingrass Trading Post State Historic Site and the Kittson Trading Post. The Kittson Trading Post is the tallest building in North Dakota. Pembina Gorge is another popular spot in Walhalla. The gorge has one of the largest blocks of uninterrupted wilderness in North Dakota. There are around 12,500 acres of unaltered river valley, making for stunning forest views. With huge expanses of red, amber, and gold colored trees, this is one of the best places to experience fall in North Dakota.
Fort Ransom
Another of North Dakota's older towns is Fort Ransom. Founded in 1880, the town today has a population of around 77 people. Right on the Sheyenne River, Fort Ransom has beautiful fall foliage. The town is around 500 acres of wooded area, where you can see stunning fall hues on the trees. Just outside Fort Ransom town, is Fort Ransom State Park. The park has trails that showcase some of the most spectacular, colorful forests.
Welcoming Fall in North Dakota
While tourists might not have thought of North Dakota as a fall destination, these small towns are worth a visit. There is no better way to get in the spirit for fall than by attending North Dakota's fall festivals. Don't miss out on the quaint Garrison's Aw Shucks! Corn Fest. Their corn-shucking contest is the perfect way to welcome fall. Minot's Norsk Hostfest offers great food, cool scenery, and a charming atmosphere. Get fantastic views of fall foliage in For Ransom along the Sheyenne River. Whether you want to see stunning fall foliage or experience fall festivals, North Dakota has something for everyone to enjoy in the fall.
