A true PNW and MW girl at heart, I spend as much of my free time as possible hiking, photographing, and indulging in the lush greens and larger-than-life landscapes of the West. But the Midwest – and North Dakota in particular – has definitely captured my heart over the last several years. In fact, I’m no stranger to the humble and vastly underrated beauty of the Peace Garden State, having gone on numerous photography excursions through the legendary Badlands and beyond. But one thing I hadn’t done before this year was take an extended, cross-North Dakota road trip. I finally decided it was high time to change that.

After much consideration, my plan was to explore the scenic recesses of central North Dakota by horseback, hike, camp beneath the stars, and experience the state’s rugged landscapes just as Teddy Roosevelt did back in the late 1800s. Unfortunately (or fortunately), Mother Nature had other plans! Enter North Dakota Adventure 2.0: an impromptu scenic drive up Highway 83. No adventure is complete without a few imperfect scenarios, but this spectacular North Dakota road trip wound up being better than I could have hoped for! Check out the Google map of our basic two-day route, and note some of my recommendations below.

First, we made our basecamp in North Dakota's gorgeous capital city. As we headed out, even with the early summer sun already pounding the pavement, my goodness – everything was so incredibly green!
Cavan Images/Getty
I've been here many times in spring, but this was the most vibrant and lush it's ever been, and that's definitely saying something! The picturesque windmills were lazily spinning the whole way north, and the hills were overflowing with tiny yellow and white flowers.

While North Dakota's quiet expanses may lack the rugged, towering peaks of its companions on either coast, this gentle giant of a state is beautifully ribboned with history, rich with wildlife, and dotted with an abundance of clear lakes that beckon for visitors to break out a line or kick off their shoes.
Heading north on scenic Highway 83, our first stop was the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn, which I think is an absolute must-visit. The LCIC does a fantastic job of bringing the journey of the Corps of Discovery to life.
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Even if you're traveling with littles, don't pass up this landmark museum. It's right off the highway, and parents will especially appreciate the thoughtful inclusion of a little tot play area and dress-up stations. Be prepared for selfies! Bonus: with your museum admission fee, you get a wristband that lets you into Fort Mandan just down the road.
Outside, a short and sweet walking path is a great way to stretch car-cramped legs. You'll get to enjoy some beguiling views of the verdant hills behind the main building and soak up a bevy of panoramic sights from the comfort of the partly-shaded trail.
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, 2576 8th St SW, Washburn, ND 58577, USA
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The path is paved and a quarter mile in length, so rest assured that strollers and all ages will be able to navigate it comfortably.
Nearby, Fort Mandan recalls the days when the Mandan people welcomed the Corps and hosted them during the winter of 1804. This is also where the expedition met young Sakakawea, who played an integral role in the expedition moving forward.
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Gorgeous mature shade trees, a few short, woodsy nature trails, and even a few scenic surprises made this stop one of our most memorable.
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Today, the recreated Fort Mandan stands guard over the glistening Missouri Riverfront. We arrived just in time to get a guided tour of the fort replica, which was informative and allowed for plenty of time to ogle and explore. Each room of the fort (made with the same materials and to the same specifications as the original) was surprisingly cool – a welcome respite from the cloudless skies outside.
Fort Mandan State Historic Site, 28th Avenue Southwest, Washburn, ND, USA
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After our tour, we had a beautiful picnic lunch under the pavilion just outside the main entrance and then headed north toward our next stop.
While we were in the area, we opted to do a quick U-turn so we could check out Fort Clark, as well as the Double Ditch Indian Village State Historic Site. These small roadside ventures offered pleasant interpretive strolls through the prairie grass via gravel trails, and overlooked sites where the former Mandan villages once stood.
Fort Clark, ND 58530, USA
Double Ditch Indian Village State Historic Site, ND-1804, Bismarck, ND 58503, USA
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Next up was the Knife River Indian Village. I'd heard awesome things, and I was stoked to finally make my way here.
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We enjoyed the short docu-film playing in the small theater just inside the front door and perused the various exhibits and art pieces. Unique beaded garments, examples of how the various tribes utilized bison to survive, and even a recreated bull boat all showcased just how much ingenuity, skill, and hard work was needed to survive and thrive in this region.
The crowned jewel awaits guests just outside the Visitor Center: a full-scale replica of a Hidatsa earth lodge, complete with a fire ring, hanging skins, decorative pottery, and even a storage cistern.
Brian Moreland/GoogleMaps
Once again, it was cool and roomy, although I believe in chillier months, they light a fire to keep it warm for visitors.

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Just steps away from the recreated lodge was a full-sized teepee, which set the stage for a gravel interpretive trail leading out into the prairie.
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, 564 County Rd 37, Stanton, ND 58571, USA
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This scenic trail shows off more sweeping North Dakota beauty, including rolling Middens - small mounds in the ground where tribes would bury broken pottery and discarded items. Along the trail were a number of colorful wildflower patches and occasional patches of shade. Eventually, the trail looped through a small grove and wound its way back. Though we didn't see any signs, this trail is likely around three miles round trip, but it's level and manageable for most.
Continuing north on our epic, impromptu North Dakota road trip, we passed through a number of small towns, each enveloped in that same rolling green and gold landscape that makes ND so special.
Garrison Dam, Coleharbor, ND 58531, USA
Cross Ranch State Park, 1403 River Rd, Center, ND 58530, USA
Fort Stevenson State Park, 1252A 41st Ave NW, Garrison, ND 58540, USA
Sakakawea7/Getty
We also detoured to experience portions of the Garrison Dam and Spillway, although I'd love to go back and get an official tour.

Those with some extra time on their hands should consider checking out Fort Stevenson as well as the dam's fish hatchery. You get a pretty neat view from above via the roadway, but it looked like a cool stop! They offer tours as well. While we also skipped Cross Ranch State Park this time around, I can't recommend a North Dakota state parks pass enough, even if you're not a state resident. There are at least half a dozen parks all within just a few highway miles of each other, and paying a fee for each adds up quickly – trust me, it's worth it!
As you continue driving north, you'll see Lake Audubon on your right and Lake Sakakawea to the left, separated by the roadway, bridge, and dam, and positively beckoning with clear blue expanses of water.
Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota, USA
Author Photo/OnlyInYourState
Lake Sakakawea is an ocean-like body of water that cuts its way through west-central North Dakota, branching out into dozens of inlets and rivers. This is THE place to be on a hot summer day! Naturally, we had to pull over at the Lake Sakakawea/Garrison Dam overlook and take a closer peek through the binoculars. What an absolute gem!
As day one drew to a close, we swung into Lake Sakakawea State Park to get our dose of North Dakota's largest man-made lake up close and personal. It definitely didn't disappoint.
Odin Wallace/GoogleMaps
Fun fact: Lake Sakakawea has more continuous shoreline than the California coast point to point! Guests to the park and its massive namesake lake will find numerous boat put-in spots, campgrounds, and scenic overlooks. There's no bad angle to visit this phenomenal lake!
After such a busy day, we wanted nothing more than to just kick back and enjoy a spectacular sunset over the water.
Lake Sakakawea State Park, Pick City, ND 58545, USA
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The longer we waited, the more the sky lit up, eventually bursting into a rainbow of purples and pinks, dotted with just the right number of clouds and golden sunrays to boot. Although I can't deny the view would have been even better from on the water, it made for the perfect end to day one of our cross-North Dakota road trip.
Finally, dinner was a deliciously juicy burger from Sickies Garage in Bismarck – a delightful stop decked out in chrome, license plates, and an abundance of retro garage décor.
Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews, 3130 N 14th St, Bismarck, ND 58503, USA
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This ND-original boasts unique "supercharged" burgers in addition to the classics, including a Glazed Doughnut Burger, Bacon Lovers' Burger, Guac and Roll, and the fire-breathing (not literally) Chowzilla and Hot Momma Burgers – both of which come with a hefty dose of heat from every single ingredient. There are more 50 burgers to choose from, and I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.
Day two allowed for a few more side trips as we headed north up Highway 83.
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, 4480 Fort Lincoln Rd, Mandan, ND 58554, USA
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While we stuck to the main road for the majority of this leg, we found ourselves pulling over often to enjoy some lovely historic churches, baby-blue lakes, and other small town sights. We also knew that as we headed farther north, we would experience a completely different side of North Dakota life: its Scandinavian roots.

But first, we couldn't resist stopping by Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park in Mandan. This is one of our favorite parks to photograph as well as the oldest park in the state. My recommendation: get a living history tour of the reconstructed Custer house!
Next, we made our way to Minot to check out the Roosevelt Zoo, the oldest zoo in the state.
Author Photo/OnlyInYourState
After a beautiful morning spent making friends with the animal kingdom, we enjoyed another tasty picnic lunch in the adjacent park before continuing on to what quickly became our favorite stop: Minot's Scandinavian Heritage Park on Broadway.
Established in 1990, this fantastic park celebrates and remembers the unique history, architecture, and importance of North Dakota's early Scandinavian and Nordic settlers in the region.
Scandinavian Heritage Park, 1020 S Broadway, Minot, ND 58701, USA
Roosevelt Park Zoo, 1219 E Burdick Expy, Minot, ND 58701, USA
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Every building has new and exciting tidbits to showcase, and the statues dotting the park are fantastic! You're sure to walk away from this one-of-a-kind destination with a few frameable photos to remember the day.

If you visit the park during the week, rather than after-hours like we did (oops!), you'll also be able to go inside the Visitor Center and the church, as well as enjoy a multitude of special events – like the Midsummer Festival, which happens every year around the summer solstice.
While in Minot, we were intrigued by the bevy of Scandinavian dining options dotting the town.
Walrus Restaurant, 1136 N 3rd St, Bismarck, ND 58501, USA
Derek Hildebrandt/GoogleMaps
We were both craving some lefse (a potato-based treat, if you're unfamiliar), and I knew there were a few spots in town that were sure to have it on hand. But late-night cravings and Sunday hours don't mix, so we, unfortunately, left empty-handed.

Instead, we opted for another late-night dinner in Bismarck at the quaint but undeniably tasty Walrus Restaurant downtown. Their rich and creamy chicken alfredo was absolutely divine and quickly made me forget my lefse woes! It was also the perfect way to wrap our epic North Dakota road trip, and I have no doubt we'll be making this stop a regular one.

 

Final thoughts: North Dakota might just be one of the most relaxing and underrated destinations in the U.S. The state’s quiet, windswept grandeur intermingles both endless scenic beauty and history – all it takes is hopping in the car to experience it! That said, learn from our mistakes. I highly recommend planning a basic route in advance so you can have accommodations (and backup accommodations) lined up – whether that’s an RV hookup, campground, hotel, or a local Airbnb. You’ll get to see and experience so much more that way.

From tracing the original Lewis and Clark trail to hitting up lefse country, we personally enjoyed our many stops and historical detours on this two-day North Dakota road trip and left with happy hearts and even more appreciation for the calm, restorative beauty that can be found in this quiet Midwest state.

Note that this article has been modified and condensed from its original version. To discover more incredible boots-on-the-ground adventures across America from our team of local travel experts, be sure to check out all of the articles in OnlyInYourState’s Everyday Explorers series. In the meantime, what destinations would you like to see featured next? Tell us where we should go on our nominations page. 

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