North Dakota offers visitors historical Native American attractions, a world renowned garden, and pristine wilderness areas for many types of outdoor recreation.
The largest city in North Dakota is Fargo, with a population just under 100,000 residents. Displays at the Fargo Air Museum include a F2G-1D, the worlds only flying Super Corsair and a WWII Beech Staggerway. Bonanzaville is 15 acres with a recreated village, including a sod house, and special museums housing cars and farm equipment. The 1882 Victorian home of pioneer and state Senator Soloman G. Comstock is filled with original furnishings. Also in Fargo, check out the career of a New York Yankees great at the Roger Maris Museum.
The state capitol building in Bismarck, known as the skyscraper of the plains, is 241 feet 8 inches tall. Guided tours include an 18th floor observation deck. The 132 acre park around the capitol includes statues, memorials, hiking trails, the North Dakota Governor's Home, and the North Dakota Heritage Center. The museum has many items relating to this state's history, but the prehistoric displays and enormous collection of Plains Indians artifacts are the most exceptional.
About 20 miles west of Bismarck in Mandan, Fort Lincoln State Park is located at the site where General Custer was based before the Battle of the Big Horn. The park's visitor center has exhibits about the life of the Mandan people, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the fur trade. During summer months there is also an outdoor drama and a scenic nine mile trolley ride from the park to downtown Mandan.
Mandan's former train depot is now Five Nations Art Depot. The original works of over 200 Native American artists and craftspeople can be purchased here.
North Dakota is home to one National Park. Named for America's 26th president who had a great interest in environmental awareness, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park has 110 square miles. It is divided into three units. The largest is the South Unit, which is 24 miles east of Montana. The Medora Visitor Center displays some of Roosevelt's personal belongings as well as ranching and natural history exhibits. Another attraction of South Unit is Maltese Cross Ranch cabin, where Roosevelt stayed during his visits to North Dakota from 1883 to 1885. A variety of special programs are conducted here during the summer months. Don't miss Painted Canyon which is known for its magnificent scenery that changes throughout the day as well as throughout the seasons. The best feature of the North Unit is its 14 mile scenic drive. Located between these two units is the Elkhorn Ranch Unit, which is the smallest and most isolated. Be sure to check with rangers at these sites for up-to-the-minute information about road and trail conditions.
There are two National Historic Sites in North Dakota, Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site and Knife River Indian Village.
Fort Union Trading Post National Historical Site near Williston was built in 1828 to help with the sales of beaver pelts and other furs. At that time beaver fur hats were all the rage in New England. One hundred people lived and worked here, including the clerks who kept inventory, the hunters who provided fresh meat, and cowboys who tended horse and cattle. Following a smallpox epidemic and lessening interest in furs back east, the outpost was sold to the army in 1867. Today visitors can tour the trade house from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Costumed interpreters explain how the Indians bartered furs with the traders in exchange for guns, knives, beads, fabric, and kitchen utensils. The Bourgeois (pronounced boor-shwa) House Visitor Center, which is open all year, showcases archeological finds. Special events include the Fort Union Rendezvous which is held the third weekend in June, the Indian Arts Showcase in August, and the Living History Weekend which is held Labor Day weekend.
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is dedicated to the Plains Indians. Two of the oldest tribes in North America, the Hidasta and Mandan Indians, settled along the banks of the Knife River in about 1300 A.D. For about 1,000 years they had a very advanced community of 3,000 to 5,000 residents which some archaeologists have dubbed the Chicago of its day. The women built and maintained dome shaped earth lodges which often measured 30 to 60 feet wide by 15 feet high. It was here in 1804 that the Lewis and Clark Expedition met Sacajawea, who proved an invaluable guide on their journey. Following the smallpox epidemic of 1837, the tribes moved their villages. Visitors today can take one of three self-guided walking tours through 11 miles of trails and tour a replica earthlodge. Fishing, hiking, nature photography, bird watching, snoeshoeing, kayaking, and cross country skiing are popular activities here, but there are no campgrounds. The Northern Plains Indian Culture Fest is held annually during the last full weekend in July.
Located on the North Dakota-Manitoba border, the International Peace Garden is a floral showplace along the world's longest unfortified border. First time visitors to this 2,339 acre site will want to start at the Interpretive Center. Learn how this attraction started and view pictures from its dedication in 1932 to now. Find out how 150,000 flowers are planted each year, with only the floral flags of the United States and Canada remaining unchanged. While baby strollers, wheelchairs, and bikes can be rented and there are plenty of hiking trails, many visitors choose to board Curly's Guided Garden Tour Coaches for a 40 minute ride through the gardens. Time is allowed for passengers to get on and off the bus to photograph sunken water gardens, gazebos, fountains, the English Carillon Bell Tower, or the 18 foot working clock whose floral face changes each year. In 2004 the North American Game Warden Museum opened to provide programs and historical exhibits honoring those who protect wild life and natural resources. In 2005 construction began on the Memorial Garden to honor law enforcement officials who lost their lives protecting natural resources and wild life.
The Bismarck/Mandan area is well located for birding and early fall is the prime time. Maps with three birding drives are available at the Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge is home to over 10,000 white pelicans, making it the largest colony in North America. Over 300 species of birds have been observed at the J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge. Located in northwestern North Dakota, the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Central Flyway, a major waterfowl migration route.
North Dakota is full of great cross-country bike routes. The largest biking event, cycling around North Dakota in Sakakawea Country, is a 400-mile tour held annually during the first week in August.
North Dakota is a popular destination for hunters and fishermen. This state is known for walleye and perch fishing, duck hunting, and upland bird hunting. Moose, elk, pronghorn antelope, deer, and red fox also attract hunters. Contact the North Dakota Game and Fish Dept. for seasons and regulations.
