North Dakota is a downright beautiful place to be. Our state is bursting with natural beauty, and one of the best ways to take it all in is with a scenic drive. Luckily, North Dakota has many roads crisscrossing the state, and there are quite a few hidden backroads, byways, and routes that will take you on some seriously spectacular journeys. Here are eight of the best scenic drives in North Dakota; gas up the car and get ready for a glorious adventure through the Peace Garden State!

1. Chan SanSan Scenic Backway
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
One of the best ways to explore rural North Dakota small towns is by this route. You'll pass through many cute little towns along the James River on both paved and unpaved roads. The Chan SanSan Scenic Backway truly is one of the best scenic drives in North Dakota.
2. Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway
Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway/Facebook
Known as the "Road To Nowhere," the Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway leads to some truly marvelous places in North Dakota. You'll pass through many small towns along this route in between Dickinson, North Dakota to Mandan, North Dakota. Rolling hills and fields flank the road throughout the route, so it truly is puzzling as to why its nickname is so forlorn! This is the perfect drive for that country road experience.
3. Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Take a leisurely drive along this long route through the wide open prairies of the Sheyenne River Valley. There is a good reason this particular byway has won numerous national awards and accolades, because it is totally stunning. You'll definitely want to check this one out for yourself -- it's a North Dakota bucket-list must!
4. Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway
Rick Webb/Flickr
This byway is just south of the Canadian border on a backroad near Bottineau, North Dakota and going all the way to Rolla, North Dakota. Experience the beauty of the magnificent Turtle Mountains with heavily wooded forests, lakes and ponds, and plenty of other spectacular scenery along the way. We think this is one of the prettiest scenic drives in all of North Dakota, and once you experience it, you undoubtedly will, too.

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5. Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit Scenic Byway
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
One of the easiest and best ways to experience North Dakota's only national park is on the road. There is a picture perfect scenic byway through the North Unit of the park that will allow you to see the beauty it has from behind the wheel. Just be wary of bison sharing the road! (Talk about an only-in-North-Dakota kind of experience!)

The South Unit is also worth driving through, as shown by this awesome 4K dash video:
6. Killdeer Mountain Four Bears Scenic Byway
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
From New Town, North Dakota down to Manning, North Dakota is a fantastic back road route. Along with winding through some simply breathtaking landscapes, this scenic route will take you to some interesting historical sites. It's an underrated adventure in North Dakota that you really must experience!
7. Standing Rock National Native American Scenic Byway
Standing Rock National Native American Scenic Byway/Facebook
This beautiful byway will take you on a route along Lake Oahe. It begins in Cannon Ball, North Dakota and goes all the way into South Dakota. The scenic route passes by numerous historical sites and some absolutely beautiful scenery!
8. Sakakawea Scenic Byway
Jasperdo/Flickr
There are tons of great places to stop along the Sakakawea Scenic Byway, including the lovely little riverside town of Washburn. On the Sakakawea Scenic Byway, you can travel a similar route to Lewis and Clark from the comfort of your car and see what they saw along the Missouri River and what is today Lake Sakakawea. This scenic byway is perfect for a long and lazy Sunday drive!

You can find maps and exact routes of all of these scenic byways – and more – by going to the North Dakota Parks and Recreation website.

Are you searching for more of the best scenic drives in North Dakota? You’re in luck! Here are a few of the best beautiful drives in North Dakota you can take on a lazy day. They make for great day trips, too!

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Scenic Drives in North Dakota

Sarah | August 13, 2021

What are some beautiful places in North Dakota?

North Dakota is an incredibly diverse and varied state that's so full of natural beauty. From the rugged badlands, to the gently rolling hills of the prairie pothole region, to the huge and beautiful river valleys that make up the state, there really is a little bit of everything in the Peace Garden State -- and it's all so lovely!

 

Are there any scenic overlooks in North Dakota?

If the above list of best scenic drives in North Dakota has you wanting to pull over and enjoy the views, you'll love these eight scenic overlooks where you can do just that!

  • From Painted Canyon Overlook at Theodore Roosevelt National Park to the Fort Ransom State Park Overlook, you will experience some truly breathtaking panoramas at these beautiful spots in North Dakota.

What are the best country backroads in North Dakota?

  • If you enjoyed the above scenic drives in North Dakota, then you'll love these country backroads. There's really nothing better than journeying through the Peace Garden State on a scenic adventure, and we have a feeling you'll enjoy each and every one of these beautiful backroads!

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