8 Unforgettable Places In North Dakota Everyone Must Visit This Winter

Since it is now officially December and a lot of us in North Dakota are seeing snow now, that means it is time to embrace the season and get out there! ND has quite a lot of things to do in the winter so the options are plentiful. A good amount of snow goes a long ways when it comes to activities! Here are 8 places in the state that have great opportunities for some snowy fun:

1. Frost Fire - Pembina

Editors Note: Pembina Gorge is closed for the 2022/2023 winter season. Feel free to check back with the Frost Fire website for updates about next year. Frost Fire is an amazing ski area in North Dakota right in the beautiful Pembina Gorge. Snowboarding and skiing are super popular here, but for pure fun for everyone, there is also tubing! For this upcoming winter, only the tubing is open while other parts of Frost Fire are being upgraded, so get ready to get out on the snow and have a blast tubing down the hills.

2. Huff Hills - Mandan

Another awesome skiing area in a different area of North Dakota is Huff Hills, located in Mandan. They have amazing skiing and snowboarding opportunities that will be open this season. You don't need to be in the Rocky Mountains for great skiing; you can find it right here. Visit the Huff Hills website for more information.

3. Cross Ranch State Park - Center

The scenic Cross Ranch State Park is absolutely stunning in the winter, and they even have a Winterfest to enjoy it with. Take a horse wagon ride and see the frosted sights of the park and take in your surroundings. There are also cross country skiing trails here to add to the winter in North Dakota fun. Check out the park's website for more information.

4. SnoTrails

All the way from Minot to Bottineau and crisscrossing all over the region are some of the best snowmobiling trails in the state, known as the SnoTrails. If you love snowmobiling, then this is a place you'll want to head out to this winter. Even if you don't have a snowmobile, there are places to rent one to enjoy over 350 miles of trails that make up this system. Check out the SnoTrails website for more information.

5. Turtle River - Arvilla

The trails along the Turtle River are almost prettier in winter than any other time of the year and should not be missed. Try out snowshoeing on the snowshoe trails here, or cross country skiing, or simply just walking in the crisp air and enjoying the sights. Check out the Turtle River State Park website page for more information.

6. Devils Lake

Devils Lake is a great summertime lake for all kinds of activities on the water, but those don't end as soon as the snow starts to fall. Once the ice is thick enough, fishers come right back to take advantage of some of the best ice fishing in all of North Dakota. Even if you aren't much of an ice fisher, the lake itself is beautiful to see and one of the best ways to enjoy winter in North Dakota. Check out the Devil’s Lake Tourism website for more information.

7. Wonders of Winter - Prairie Isle Dog Trekking

Out in Petersburg, North Dakota is a unique activity you can't find in many other places in the state: dog sledding! Prairie Isle keeps teams of happy, hard working dogs pulling sleds across the snow-covered plains, and you can try it out for yourself through their Wonders of Winter program. Be sure to check the Prairie Isle Dog Trekking website for the most up-to-date information.

8. Winter Badlands

Most people make visiting places like Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park a summer destination, but there is something equally as beautiful about them in the winter. Seeing the painted canyons covered in a layer of snow, even if just driving through, is awe-inspiring. Especially if you see a bighorn sheep strolling by! Check the National Park Service Theodore Roosevelt National Park webpage for more information.

Have you been to any of these winter wonderland spots? If so, which ones were your favorites? We’d love to see your photos and hear about your experiences. Are there any other spots you think should be added to this list?

There is tons to do this winter in North Dakota, so get your lists started!  If you like festivals, check out these winter-season events that take place in the beautiful Black Hills!