Top 9 North Dakota Towns To Visit In 2025

Although North Dakota is one of the least populated states in America, it surprises tourists with a diversity of riches. It has an exciting mix of nature, agriculture, and heritage spread across its vast badlands, prairies, and savannas. With a rich history dating back to the Native American occupation, culture vultures and history buffs are in for an immersive experience. Meanwhile, underrated state parks guarantee adventurers enough room to indulge in their favorite pastimes.

Although tourists prefer prominent destinations like Bismarck and Fargo, there is a hidden gem in the neglected small towns on the fringes of the state. This new year, consider taking a chance on the little-known destinations for a novel experience, exploring thrilling adventures in Medora and rich cultures in Cavalier. Here are the best North Dakota towns to visit in 2025.

Minot

Minot is a family-friendly getaway in the heart of North Dakota with a colorful aviation heritage and Scandinavian influences. Roosevelt Park Zoo ranks among the go-to local attractions, providing guests with rare encounters with native and exotic wildlife. The state's oldest zoo houses around 150 animals, representing over 50 species, including leopards, penguins, bald eagles, and lions. Magic City Discovery Center unites families in an interactive environment designed to stimulate creativity in kids. It features hands-on exhibits and activities revolving around science subjects.

If you enjoy cultural pursuits, remember to visit the Scandinavian Heritage Park. This magical destination offers a unique perspective of Nordic culture with monuments, statues, and replicas, such as a wooden stave church from Norway and a Danish windmill. Finally, take advantage of the Midsummer Festival in June 2025 to mingle with the townsfolk and learn about their traditions.

Devils Lake

This small village of Ramsey County is enclosed in unmatched natural beauty, providing various recreational activities around the year. These are readily accessible at Grahams Island State Park, which sits on the pristine shores of Devils Lake. Sprawled over 959 acres, the reserve is a hub for fishing, swimming, and strolling along the shoreline while taking in stunning water vistas. Several local outfitters, including Bry's Guide Service, take visitors on remarkable fishing excursions on the lake, which hosts a thriving population of walleye, northern pike, bass, and other fish species. Elsewhere, the Sheriff's House Museum provides a unique look into the town's law enforcement history. The early 1900s home exhibits diverse artifacts, unique antiques, and period furnishings.

Cavalier

This quiet town in Pembina County interests vacationers with a rich arts and cultural heritage, represented during its many festivals throughout the year. Top among them is Music & Art in the Park, set for July 24, 2025, which blends craft exhibitions with live music to make for a family-centric extravaganza. The event also incorporates face paintings, caricatures, bouncy houses, and similar activities. At the Pembina County Historical Museum, guests can learn about the municipality's evolution since its founding in 1875. The museum grounds feature 11 historic structures, including an 1882 homestead, blacksmith shop, and barn, with historical exhibits worth examining.

Outdoorsy tourists are spoilt for opportunities at the Icelandic State Park. The sanctuary provides a 900-acre playground on the shores of Lake Renwick designed for fishing, camping, and picnicking. You can also tour the on-site Pioneer Heritage Center for a glimpse of life in the town's infant years.

Valley City

If you plan to spend most of your vacation outside, Valley City is an excellent destination, boasting an expansive network of open spaces and multiple historic bridges. While strolling through the secluded nature trails at Medicine Wheel Park, you'll be intrigued by the Native American burial mounds dotting the site. These offer a unique perspective of the area's Indian culture. Sightseers will relish feasting their eyes on the majestic waters along the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway. The route follows the Sheyenne River as it winds through open farmlands and rolling hills.

Valley City's historic bridges make for postcard-worthy landmarks worth experiencing up close. You can head to the Hi-Line Railroad Bridge to admire its craftsmanship as it stretches 3,800 feet across the Sheyenne River. Finally, don't miss out on fun with the locals during the North Dakota Winter Show on March 9, 2025, featuring rodeo performances, draft horse events, a craft show, a country concert, and more.

Dickinson

Dickinson is a vibrant community in Stark County known for world-class attractions that feature everything from natural history and European culture to outdoor wonders. Most families come to examine the interactive exhibits at the Dickinson Museum Center and Badlands Dinosaur Museum. The 12-acre campus holds larger-than-life fossils, rare minerals, and unique exhibits on ranching and farming. For culture vultures, look no further than the Ukrainian Cultural Institute. The center provides an intimate look into Ukrainian culture through folk art, religious exhibits, and traditional paraphernalia.

Those who prefer time in the great outdoors can head to Rocky Butte Park for quality time in its serene green space. It has paved walkways with scenic vistas of the surroundings, ideal for nature photography.

Mandan

Thanks to its fun amusement parks and entertainment venues, families will find this Missouri River community among the best North Dakota towns to visit in 2025. It is home to Eagles Park, which promises a fun-filled day for all ages at its picnic areas, pavilions, rubberized playgrounds, horseshoe pits, and other recreational amenities tailored for kids. Elsewhere, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park invites guests to step outside and discover its living history. It is home to Fort McKeen and Fort Abraham Lincoln, whose exhibits chronicle the life of a frontier soldier.

Mandan has a lively craft brewery culture and invites beer lovers to taste its fine creations at Buffalo Commons Brewing Company. The establishment serves homegrown Midwestern-style beers in a friendly atmosphere for an authentic local experience. Finally, don't miss an opportunity to experience one of the country's oldest rodeos during the Mandan Rodeo Days in July 2025.

Jamestown

Jamestown, locally known as the "Pride of the Prairie," is a vibrant college town with a quirky roadside fixture and military and pioneer heritage. It houses the World's Largest Buffalo Monument, a 26-foot, 60-ton concrete statue that welcomes visitors into the town. The statue is a favorite landmark for those seeking a remarkable photo opportunity. Those curious about the community's past can visit the Stutsman County Memorial Museum and experience its evolution since it was established in 1883. The venue displays an extensive catalog of pioneer memorabilia and artifacts related to agriculture, the military, and the railroad.

Meanwhile, you can delve further back into the formative years at Frontier Village. This unique neighborhood transports guests back to the pioneer ages with a cluster of old buildings, artifacts, stagecoach rides, and hands-on activities in a reenacted settlement.

Walhalla

Walhalla is a secluded municipality in Pembina County with fun experiences awaiting history enthusiasts and outdoor lovers. It has many natural areas that provide recreational activities for summer and winter travelers. These include the Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area, which spans over 2,800 acres of wooded landscapes along the Pembina River. The doors are open for hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, and anglers to immerse in adventure. For cold-weather enthusiasts, all roads lead to Frost Fire Park, where family-friendly slopes with a 350-foot vertical drop keep skiers and snowboarders entertained.

Elsewhere, Walhalla is home to one of North Dakota's oldest structures. The Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site dates back to the mid-19th century and preserves the trading shop of a prominent fur trader and former legislator.

Medora

This unique village of Billings County sits along the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which provides an unspoiled nature area with a rich and diverse ecosystem. The sprawling reserve offers a getaway for nature lovers to explore at least 400 plant species and wildlife like elk, prairie dogs, and bison. The park's visitor center houses the Maltese Cross Cabin, an interesting historical spot intertwined with the colorful legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt. The president once used this rustic cabin before ascending to the highest seat in the country.

Another must-visit site in Medora is the Chateau de Mores State Historic Site, an opulent 26-room residence of the Marquis's family. It occupies a 128-acre property and stores original Victorian-era furnishings as a window to the times.

Final Thoughts

North Dakota is a magical destination in the United States that doesn't get as much credit as it deserves. Scattered across its badlands and prairies are quaint little towns that may not be known to many but promise to leave a lasting impression on newcomers. Whether you are an outdoor thrill seeker craving to explore the state's only national park in Medora or a culture vulture curious to discover unique Nordic heritage in Minot, don't miss out on these North Dakota towns to visit in 2025.