This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You North Dakota Like You’ve Never Seen Before
A lot of people out there seem to think that North Dakota is nothing but flat fields. They couldn’t be more wrong! The varying landscapes of the Roughrider State are loaded with unique, beautiful, and unusual natural wonders. If you want to check out some of the best to show off the state in a way you’ve never seen, then you absolutely must take this road trip.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
This road trip will take you across the entire state and you'll probably want to set aside an entire weekend for it. Click here for the interactive map with the route.
If starting in the east and heading west, your first stop will be the breathtaking Fort Ransom State Park. This is tucked in the Sheyenne River Valley which creates a gorgeous wooded area dotted with historic farms. It's like something out of a fantasy movie.
Next you'll head north towards North Dakota's largest natural lake, and one that keeps growing, Devils Lake. This particular route will take you to Grahams Island - an island park connected by a narrow road across the water. It's beautifully scenic, serene, and a special part of the state's natural wonders.
Now you'll begin your journey westwards to another special park, the Cross Ranch State Park. This park, near Washburn, is situated on one of the last undeveloped stretches of the Missouri River. It's all natural and fantastic in its own way.
After this, you'll be heading towards North Dakota's most scenic areas, a place that certainly disproves anyone who says the state is entirely flat - the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The park is split up into two units in the Little Missouri National Grassland, and the first one you'll be at is the North Unit. Each unit has its own special quirks.
The South Unit of the park is next, situated around the town of Medora. This amazing place is full of the beauty of the badlands. This one is especially great to visit near sundown to see the painted canyons really come to light.
For the final stop of the road trip, you'll visit the highest point in North Dakota, White Butte. You can admire the spot from a distance or take the trek all the way to the top where the elevation is taller than any other place in the state. It towers over the surrounding landscape and certainly catches your eye, plus it's just cool in general to say you've been there!
North Dakota’s natural attractions are truly incredible and after you’ve taken this trip you’ll definitely know that this state is full of a variety of landscapes other than flat prairie. Need more ideas for awesome outdoor places to visit? Check out this list with some of the best in the Peace Garden State.
Leah moved to North Dakota when she was 12 years old and has traveled from the Red River Valley to the badlands and many places in between. She loves small-town life and currently enjoys living on a small farm in the ND prairie. She's always had a passion for writing and has participated in novel writing challenges such as NaNoWriMo multiple times. Her favorite part about this job is recognizing small businesses that deserve a boost and seeing the positive affect her articles can have on their traffic, especially in rural areas that might have otherwise gone overlooked.
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