This 444-Mile Road Trip Leads To Some Of The Most Scenic Parts Of North Dakota, No Matter What Time Of Year It Is
Sometimes, you just want to get in the car and drive. Where to? We don’t know, but wherever you go, you’re sure to run into some truly majestic places and things on the way. We’ve put together a semi-short road trip across parts of this beautiful state for just such an occasion; looking to get away? Look no further than this delightfully scenic North Dakota road trip, which leads you to some of our state’s most coveted destinations. Gas up the car and let’s go – there’s much to see! To follow along, make sure to download your copy of the directions here.
Our starting point on this epic journey is Beaver Lake State Park, an astonishingly beautiful little slice of paradise situated along – you guessed it – a tranquil lake.
There are primitive and modern campsites available and even lovely little cabins to rent (which are super affordable). The area is steeped in interesting history and a stay overnight is a great idea to take it all in! Beaver Lake is awesome year-round, but in summer, it truly shines.
Next up is the absolutely wonderful Fort Ransom State Park.
This park took its name from an 1860s-era military fort, and it sits smack-dab in the middle of Sheyenne River Valley, which affords it some of the most breathtaking views in the state. Open year-round, each season seems to bring with it certain pros and cons (okay, let’s be real – there are very, very few “cons”); in summer, horseback riding and camping are the most popular activities ‘round these parts, while in winter, folks love to come here for the world-class snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Click here to learn more about this delightful North Dakota state park. Next, we move on to:
...the amazing Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge, which is often called one of North Dakota’s “crown jewels.”
This amazing stretch of land is remarkable for many reasons: it’s one of just two official wilderness areas in the National Wildlife Refuge System in North Dakota and, amazingly, it’s home to one of the largest breeding colonies of American White pelicans in the world. Amazingly, this refuge is where a third of the earth’s population of these birds come to roost! The area is also home to some unique geology, and, obviously, some of the most top-notch bird watching in the nation. This is one stop you’ll never forget. Learn more about the refuge in this article!
Up next, we arrive at the beautiful (and grossly underrated) Devils Lake, located in east-central North Dakota.
This little place is home to some of the best fishing in the state, as well as plenty of delightful local shops, eateries, and galleries to explore. The draw is the lake itself, but the town is well worth a look-see, too! Come figure out why Devils Lake is known as the “perch capital of the world,” and it’s also a blast to do some good old-fashioned boating here, too. Read more about this underappreciated North Dakota gem in this article.
Our final stop on this delightfully scenic North Dakota trip is the famous Lake Metigoshe – come on, no trip to North Dakota’s most scenic spots would be complete without it!
This beautiful lake – and the state park built around it – is an amazing, 1,544-acre masterpiece that’ll make you feel like you’re somewhere tropical instead of land-locked in the great state of North Dakota. Camping here is wonderful, though it’s also perfect for a day trip. We suggest taking each stop of this road trip slowly, and Lake Metigoshe is no exception! It truly takes more than just one day to take in all the wonders it has to offer (and to try and hike around the whole thing). For more details about Lake Metigoshe and/or Lake Metigoshe State Park, take a look at this article.
So, there you have it – a 444-mile journey that leads to some amazing places in our beautiful state. Have any favorite spots you’d like to add to the itinerary? Tell us about them in the comments! We love hearing from you, especially about the places you hold dearest in your heart.
Address: Beaver Lake State Park, 3850 70th St SE, Wishek, ND 58495, USA
Address: Fort Ransom State Park, 5981 Walt Hjelle Pkwy, Fort Ransom, ND 58033, USA
Address: Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Tappen, ND 58487, USA
Address: Devils Lake, ND 58301, USA
Address: Lake Metigoshe, Roland, ND 58318, USA
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Tori Jane Ostberg plays with tornadoes for fun. When she's not out chasing the biggest and baddest storms mama nature has to offer, she can usually be found writing something, somewhere, or exploring the United States with her camera.