North Dakota is full of small towns dotted across the state and all have their own charms and histories, but these small towns are some of the most lovely in the state. These towns are 10 of the most perfect picturesque places in which to experience the small-town charms of the Peace Garden State – check out our picks for the best small towns in North Dakota!

1. Jud
Jud, ND 58454, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Located in LaMoure county, Jud is known as the "Town of Murals" and has a population of just under 75. The whole town came together to make what would normally be plain walls into canvases for beautiful mural art on nearly every building. It's a truly unique town.
2. Hope
Hope, ND 58046, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Along with the pleasant name, Hope is a pleasant place. It was founded in 1881 and is nestled in Steele County. The building shown is nearly as old as the town itself.
3. Park River
Park River, ND 58270, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
A stroll through downtown Park River would make a lovely afternoon for anyone. The town's motto is "The Town With a Heart," and it certainly lives up to that.
4. New Salem
New Salem, ND 58563, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
New Salem was founded in 1882 in Morton County. Other than being a charming small town with a population of under a thousand, it is also the site of the giant fiberglass statue of a cow known as Salem Sue, commemorating all of the dairy farmers in the state.

Related Stories

Best Waterfalls in North Dakota: 8 Local Favorites & Hidden Gems 

Best Waterfalls in North Dakota: 8 Local Favorites & Hidden Gems 

 This Speakeasy Hidden In A Restaurant's Basement In North Dakota Is Perfect For A Date Night

This Speakeasy Hidden In A Restaurant's Basement In North Dakota Is Perfect For A Date Night

 Take A Drive To The Country To Dine At This Exceptional Rural Restaurant In North Dakota

Take A Drive To The Country To Dine At This Exceptional Rural Restaurant In North Dakota
5. Medora
Medora, ND 58645, USA
Horatio3K/Flickr
This town is pretty much made to be picturesque and there is a good reason it is one of the top tourist destinations in the state. The scenery alone is gorgeous, and the town is simply lovely, too! Medora is an amazing small town located INSIDE a National Park, and you've gotta experience it.

Get just a little taste of Medora in this fun video:
7. Bottineau
Bottineau, ND, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
As one of the northernmost towns in North Dakota, Bottineau is surrounded by landscapes of forests and rolling hills. The town's nickname is 'Four Seasons Playground' and works exactly as that. From summer to winter, you can always have fun outdoors in Bottineau.
8. Hillsboro
Hillsboro, ND 58045, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Hillsboro is part of Triall county within the Red River Valley. The original name of the town was Comstock but changed after a railroad baron named James J. Hill.
9. Tioga
Tioga, ND 58852, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Although today Tioga is known more for the nearby oil, the town has remained quaint and picturesque to this day. It used to have a population of under 500 until 1960 when it quadrupled due to oil being discovered in the area.
10. Carson
Carson, ND 58529, USA
Andrew Filer/Flickr
This town looks like something out of a western movie but is an actual place. It only has a population of just under 300 and is the perfect taste of a North Dakota small town.

What other small towns in North Dakota do you think are the most charming? Which ones would you say are the best small towns in North Dakota? There are so many, it’s hard to choose! Let us know!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Best Small Towns in North Dakota

Tori Jane | March 10, 2023
  1. What are some of the best small towns in North Dakota? 

North Dakota is a quiet place – great for putting down roots. Luckily, there are plenty of adorable small towns in North Dakota that are worth considering if you’d like to live here, such as:  

  • New Salem – With a population of under 1,000 people and a giant fiberglass statue of a cow, what’s not to love?  
  • Wilton – This little town also has less than 1,000 people living here, and it’s quite rich in history, having been established by Ukrainian immigrants in the late 1800s.  
  • Golden Valley – Not to be confused with the county of the same name, this small town in ND is actually located in Mercer County.  

 

Learn more about each of these delightful small towns in ND, and then some.   

  1. Which small towns in North Dakota are good for families? 

North Dakota is a great place to raise a family, and it’s a delightful place to call home! Some adorable small towns in North Dakota that are perfect for families with kids are ones like: 

  • Medora – This incredible town is located inside a National Park, and there’s so much to do here that you probably couldn’t do it all in a lifetime.  
  • Hillsboro – This small town is nice and quiet, and it’s also known for its excellent schools.  
  • Grafton – The 14th-largest town in North Dakota! Grafton is home to a truly wonderful Main Street everyone needs to visit at least once.  

 

Learn more about each of these adorable towns in North Dakota – plus a few more!   

  1. What are some fun things to do in North Dakota? 

North Dakota might be the least-visited state in the United States, but we feel like this is terribly unfair. There’s just so much that folks don’t even realize they’re missing out on! Some of the most amazing things to do in North Dakota are things like:  

  • The Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge is huge and filled with gorgeous natural, untouched wildlands.  
  • Theodore Roosevelt National Park – You could likely make a whole vacation out of this one! There are numerous must-see parts of the park, like the Petrified Forest and the unusual Cannonball Concretions Pullout, among lots of other things.  
  • Fort Ransom State Park – Another one of the most scenic places in North Dakota, this park is filled with excellent hiking and camping opportunities you’re sure to delight in.  

 

Learn more about each of these fun things to do in North Dakota, and then some.   

Related Articles