Chan SanSan Backway Is A Back Road You Didn't Know Existed But Is Perfect For A Scenic Drive In North Dakota
By Tori Jane|Published November 07, 2021
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Nestled within the beautiful state of North Dakota is a scenic backway that, should you decide to take it one day, will take you on a unique adventure unlike any you might have had before. It’s not a “byway” – it’s a “backway” – and the difference is that a byway is paved whereas a backway is a nice, rugged dirt road adventure. You might have heard of it, you might not have; either way, it’s quite the bucket list trip, and it can be done pretty quickly, too, given that you don’t stop anywhere. The Chan SanSan Scenic Backway in North Dakota is one amazing drive you’ve got to do at least once!
You'll begin your adventure in Adrian, a small North Dakota town founded in 1885.
In Adrian, you'll look for Highway 46 and take it southbound. It's a dirt road, so make sure your vehicle is well-equipped to handle it. It's a pretty smooth ride, so you won't likely have many issues.
From Adrian, you go through several delightful small towns and get first-row seats to some of our state's most beautiful natural splendor.
This little dirt road in the middle of nowhere hugs the James River Valley, where you'll encounter the majesty of tallgrass prairie, varied bodies of water, and plenty of Native American history along the way.
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Keep an eye out for fascinating features like Native American earthen mounds.
The Chan SanSan runs for 35 miles total; it's an easy drive, and you'll definitely benefit from making multiple stops at the various points of interest along the way.
One thing is for sure: this wonderful, scenic backway in North Dakota is an awesome drive to do and then re-do, making sure to stop at different interesting spots each time.
You could honestly make an entire day trip out of it.
