11 Amazing North Dakota Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive

North Dakota is often overlooked in favor of pristine national parks of the West, but this sparsely populated Great Plains state holds hidden gems just begging to be explored. Beyond the waving wheat fields and grazing cattle, North Dakota boasts spectacular badlands, rolling hills, tranquil lakes, and charming small towns ripe with cultural discoveries. With distances between attractions far-flung across the prairie, day trips are the perfect way to slowly savor what the Peace Garden State offers.

Fill up the tank, lace up those boots, and hit the open road for adventures, scenery, and small-town charm across the state. Whether you seek geologic wonders, outdoor recreation, or charming Main Streets frozen in time, reveal amazing North Dakota day trips just a short drive away from the major cities of Minot and Fargo.

Lake Sakakawea

Prepare for a barrage of waterfront fun at the Lake Sakakawea State Park. A two-and-a-half-hour drive from Minot and its international airport brings you to the southern shore of America's third-largest reservoir, Lake Sakakawea. Its endless lakeshore invites anglers for exciting fishing expeditions, where they can try to catch northern pike, walleye, and chinook salmon. It has a full-service marina on site and boat ramps, providing deep-water access to the best fishing points. Meanwhile, swimmers can access a lovely beach for a cool dip in the blue lake waters.

Several miles of trails run along and around the sprawling lake. These are perfect for lazy strolls along the shores, especially the western terminus of the 4,800-mile North Country National Scenic Trail.

Enchanted Highway

Discover one of North Dakota's quirkiest roadside attractions along the Enchanted Highway. This iconic outdoor gallery is about two and a half hours south of Minot and features a 32-mile stretch of larger-than-life metal sculptures. Roll down your window to admire the intricate expression of art and try to discern the message from the artist Gary Greff. The first sculpture you'll come across is themed "Geese in Flight," erected on Exit 72 of Interstate 94, and marks the beginning of the visual tour.

Other compelling installations along the route include "Theodore Roosevelt Rides Again" and "Pheasants on the Prairie." Conveniently, each sculpture has a parking area where road trippers can stop to examine its details.

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

Turn back the hands of time and uncover captivating history at North Dakota's oldest state park. It takes a 2-hour journey from Minot to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, where history meets adventure to grant visitors an unforgettable experience. Start by popping by the Visitor Center and Museum to get the backstory on the site. The venue harbors documents and archives telling the story of Mandan Native Americans who originally inhabited On-a-Slant Village. Several reconstructed earth lodges vividly portray how they lived in the area.

Guests will also learn about the site's military significance at Fort McKeen and Fort Abraham Lincoln, which maintain furnished barracks, blockhouses, and the commander's quarters. Beyond the history, a scenic trail system invites hikers and bikers to explore the surrounding wilderness and enjoy awe-inspiring vistas of the Missouri River.

Walhalla

If you seek a small-town escape from the constant hustle in downtown Fargo, you will enjoy Walhalla's isolated and peaceful setting. This quaint community sits less than 3 hours north of Fargo and its Hector International Airport and just over 3 hours from the Minot International Airport. While reveling in the town's rural atmosphere, you can delve into exciting local history at the Gingras Trading Post Historic Site. The landmark preserves the 1800s home of Antoine Blanc Gingras, a fur trader.

Walhalla is enveloped by a sprawling wilderness that draws adventurers to the great outdoors. This includes the 2,800-acre Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area, which provides prime grounds for hikers, campers, kayakers, and mountain bikers to discover the backcountry. The same applies to Tetrault Woods State Forest, a 600-acre natural sanctuary tailored for unplugging and relaxing.

Dakota Zoo

The Dakota Zoo in Bismarck, the capital city of North Dakota, is a prime location for families to spend on a day trip, guaranteeing fun for all ages. It is less than two hours from Minot and covers a 90-acre territory split into different animal sections. Guests can encounter exotic and native species when ranging over the sanctuary, which houses over 600 animals representing more than 100 species of mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish.

An open trolley tour takes you through the area, with stops at different sections for a closer look at the creatures behind the cage. Meanwhile, an indoor learning center educates young visitors on the behaviors of small creatures while housing fish and reptiles.

Fort Ransom State Park

This 950-acre public recreation area lies in the Sheyenne River Valley, about one and a half hours southwest of Fargo. It is an excellent escape for historians curious to uncover the state's homesteader heritage and presents several recreational opportunities. You can start at the Andrew Sunne Farm, where historic farm structures and reenactments take you back to the homesteading era.

There is also a launch and access to the slow-flowing waters of the Sheyenne River, perfect for easygoing kayaking excursions down the river. Several trails traverse the reserve, including a brief segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

Rugby

Visiting Rugby, an hour and twenty-minute drive east of Minot, places you in the geographical middle point of North America. This lovely town underscores its location with a stone monument to the south, which tourists often flock to for photo ops. Rugby has a few exciting attractions newcomers will want to check out, including the Prairie Village Museum. Browsing the different exhibits inside the museum exposes you to the area's past, including its industrial heritage. These range from Native American crafts and vintage farm machinery to antique cars.

Finally, visitors will be drawn to the Northern Lights Tower, which stands 88 feet high and honors the awe-inspiring natural phenomena it is named after.

Bonanzaville USA

A 15-minute trip west of Fargo brings travelers to one of North Dakota's premier attractions. This exciting history museum complex comprises dozens of vintage buildings spread over a 12-acre property. The structures help recount the region's captivating past, as seen through a vast collection of over 400,000 artifacts. As you walk around the village, thousands of memories come through, touching on different aspects of the period civilizations.

While you may not have the time to view all exhibits on a single-day trip comprehensively, notable sites to check out include the Pioneer Telephone Museum, the Embden Train Depot, and Fargo's First House.

Red River Zoo

There is no better place out of all North Dakota day trips to take your kids than the Red River Zoo. Conveniently situated about 15 minutes from downtown Fargo and 10 minutes from the Hector International Airport, this premier facility houses 80 species of exotic and native animals amidst 34 acres of a beautifully landscaped refuge. Pristine ponds, rolling hills, and lovely streams punctuate the setting, allowing tourists to revel in the atmosphere as they encounter red pandas, wolves, deer, otters, and other species. These animals originate from the same climatic conditions, spread across Northern Asia, North America, and Northern Europe.

But meeting the animals is not all there is to do at Red River Zoo. Kids can access other fun activities, such as riding a vintage carousel with peers or playing while learning at the interactive children's exhibits.

Jamestown

Discover the World's Largest Buffalo in the adorable town of Jamestown, about one and a half hours west of Fargo and 3 hours from Minot. The whimsical roadside attraction stands 26 feet tall and is locally known as Dakota Thunder. It often provides a delightful backdrop for visitors to take photos. But this is only the tip of the iceberg for visitors to Jamestown. The North American Bison Discovery Center makes for a great starting point and tells the awesome story of the American bison. Several interactive exhibits and valuable documents show the role of America's national mammal.

Jamestown is also a popular stop for sports fans. It is home to the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame, which honors North Dakota sports personalities who have significantly contributed to the industry in the state.

Devils Lake

Skip the noise in the city and embrace a more welcoming and quiet scenery in Devils Lake, about two and a half hours from Fargo and two hours from Minot. This pleasant getaway introduces you to the "Perch Capital of the World," where anglers from across the region converge at Devils Lake State Parks to try and catch white bass, walleye, crappie, and northern pike species. Thanks to Ruger Park, there are more reasons to embrace the outdoor lifestyle in Devils Lake. This alternative offers kid-friendly amenities like ball fields, playsets, a swimming pool, and more.

On the other hand, indoor-inclined tourists will find refuge at the Lake Region Heritage Center. A delightful collection of exhibits recounts the history and culture of Devils Lake and the surrounding neighbors.

From colorful badlands to rolling prairies and Frontier forts, North Dakota's wide-open spaces offer an endless bounty of unexpected adventures ripe for exploration on memorable day trips in the United States. Its geologic treasures and historical gems never fail to stimulate the curious spirit while charming small towns uplift with heartland hospitality along the drive. As the open road beckons further into "peace garden country," may these amazing North Dakota day trips only stir greater anticipation for the next scenic surprise just over the horizon.