Spring in North Dakota — could anything be more magical?

North Dakotans are used to waiting through long winters for those first signs of spring. Sometimes it seems like winters drag on forever, but as soon as you see some of those tell-tale signs, you know it’s finally coming to an end. If you were to show someone from this state any of these photos, they would know they’re from springtime in North Dakota. How many of them speak to you?

1. The beginning of the melt.

Krista Lundgren/USFWS/Flickr
North Dakota winters tend to include a decent amount of snow, and that snow sticks around due to the freezing temperatures. Once things start to warm up, the snow begins to melt, and you'll get sights like this across the prairie.

2. A familiar sight and sound of the goose migration heading north.

Krista Lundgren/USFWS/Flickr
Millions of migratory birds go over North Dakota every year, many of them snow geese, and a telltale sign of spring arriving is definitely their return as they head back north after wintering in the south.

3. The first few prairie crocuses, also known as pasque flowers, emerging from the thaw.

Colleen Graue/Flickr
These flowers are usually the first ones to pop up right as spring begins. Some even make their way out of the snow. As soon as you see this classic North Dakota flower popping up, it's safe to say winter is finally ending.

4. Followed by fields full of them and other flowers.

Rick Bohn/USFWS/Flickr
The grass comes back to life and the prairie hills can be covered with these flowers. People love taking photos of them and sharing them as a true sign of spring.

5. The wispy prairie smoke flower will remind you of beautiful spring days.

Krista Lundgren/USFWS/Flickr
After the prairie crocuses begin the season, other native flowers will make their return with beautiful spring blooms. The unusual-looking prairie smoke is one of them.

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6. After the snow melts, the "stubble" of last year's fields is revealed.

Krista Lundgren/USFWS/Flickr
Last year's harvest remnants re-emerge before the fields are tilled under and replanted for the new season.

7. Sometimes, however, the fields become oceans.

Bri Weldon/Flickr
If you live in a river valley of North Dakota, this is a sight you've probably seen before during spring. If the snow melts faster than the ground thaws, you're going to see standing water in many ditches and fields. During particularly wet years, they make the fields look like oceans.

8. It doesn't stop there — spring flooding is something North Dakotans are all too familiar with.

Minnesota National Guard/Flickr
High waters are not unusual for spring in North Dakota. In more recent years like 1997 and 2011, devastating floods occurred in ND that will stick in people's minds forever. Entire towns and neighborhoods were full of water and they caused millions of dollars of damage.

9. It's not always melting in springtime, sometimes the snow returns even after everything is green.

Kari Sullivan/Flickr
Sometimes it seems like the seasons are playing tricks on us. It could be in the 60s with beautiful, sunny days, green gardens, and no snow left, and a blizzard could roll through the next day. Seeing green trees covered in a dusting of snow in April or May is certainly a North Dakotan springtime classic.

10. In the end, the lush green prairie is all you need to know spring has truly arrived.

USFWS/Flickr
After the snow melts, potential floods, and occasional late-season snowstorm, it will always result in a stunning green springtime that makes living in North Dakota all the more worth it.

What other imagery makes you think of springtime in North Dakota? Do you have some all-time favorite spring destinations in North Dakota? Feel free to share them with us in the comments below — we would love to hear from you! And, while you’re planning your next great outdoor adventure, be sure to check out our list of hiking essentials so you’re fully prepared.

Check out some other photos of North Dakota that showcase the varying seasons and beauty of the state. We really are lucky to call this great place our home!

12 Stunning Photos That Will Remind You Why North Dakota Is The Best State

 

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Spring In North Dakota

Beth C. | February 27, 2024

What is there to do in North Dakota in the spring?

North Dakota is underrated in almost every single way. Yet, if you visit during the springtime, you'll agree that the state is nothing short of a treasure trove of fun things to do. Below, you'll find a list of springtime activities to enjoy in North Dakota:

  • The blooms at Badlands National Park
  • Orchard Glen Park
  • The International Peace Garden
  • The Northern Plains Botanic Garden Society
  • Fort Ransom State Park
  • McDowell Dam Nature Park
  • Sully Creek State Park
  • The Wind Canyon Trail
  • Lone Tree Spring Trail
  • Little Twig Nature Trail
  • Sertoma Park
  • Graham Island/Grahams Island State Park

 

Curious to learn more about these wonderful places? Check out our full guide on things to do in North Dakota in the spring. You'll agree that there's something on this list for every kind of outdoor enthusiast!

What are some of the best spring hiking trails in North Dakota?

There's no wrong time of year to go hiking in North Dakota, but spring is truly inspiring. Below you'll find a list of some of the best spring hiking trails in North Dakota:

  • Beaver Lake Trail
  • Centennial Trail
  • Icelandic State Park Trails
  • Little Twig Nature Trail
  • Shoreline Trail
  • Overlook Trail

 

Of course, these are just a handful of all the incredible hiking trails there are to discover in North Dakota. Curious to discover more? Check out our guide to the best springtime hikes in North Dakota -- and prepare to get those hiking boots on!

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