Few things are quite as awesome as a good old-fashioned road trip, and what better place to embark upon a road trip than North Dakota? As the least-visited state in the country, it provides all the beauty and wonders you could ask for without attracting throngs of crowds. Your time spent on the road is likely to be without many other people along the way, unless, of course, you bring a friend along! Take this scenic road trip in North Dakota for an adventure you won’t soon forget!

Get in the car, strap on that seatbelt, and let's head out.
Google Maps
We'll begin our journey at the beautiful Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area.
mara/Flickr
Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area, 101 5th St, Walhalla, ND 58282, USA
Wes/Flickr
Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area is 12,000 acres of stunning North Dakota wilderness. The Pembina River offers up all kinds of potential for fun in the sun (or shade); bring your kayak along and enjoy the ride before heading to the next stop.

Check out what it's like to bike the Pembina Gorge firsthand!
Next up, we hit Lake Metigoshe State Park, easily one of North Dakota's most beautiful regions.
Roderick Eime/Flickr
Lake Metigoshe State Park, Roland, ND 58318, USA
ND Parks and Recreation Department/Flickr
Lake Metigoshe is quite popular (well, for North Dakota standards) and it's a favorite location for North Dakotans who love the great outdoors. Explore a "hidden" lake and camp right on the shores. Indulge in some canoeing, kayaking, or hiking; the possibilities are only as limited as your imagination.

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Our third stop is at Cross Ranch State Park, a park so beautiful you might just forget you're in North Dakota.
Fred Purdue/TripAdvisor
Cross Ranch State Park, 1403 River Rd, Center, ND 58530, USA
Fred Purdue/TripAdvisor
We consider Cross Ranch State Park to be a hidden gem in North Dakota. Sink your toes into the sandy beach as you relax by the still, tranquil lake. Timing your visit for the middle of the week is a great idea because there ought to be almost nobody else there but yourself. It's not every day you come upon a sandy beach in North Dakota, but today you will!
Second to last, we'll pay a visit to Beaver Lake State Park.
ND Parks and Recreation Department/Flickr
Beaver Lake State Park, 3850 70th St SE, Wishek, ND 58495, USA
Management/TripAdvisor
Also considered a North Dakotan state gem, this destination is perfect for fun in the sun in North Dakota. Like the other spots on this trip, this one is nice and quiet - perfect for a day of fishing or an evening or two of camping.

We love this ultra-fun two-day quick tour of Beaver Lake State Park:
Finally, we reach the end of our journey - the amazing Fort Ransom State Park.
ND Parks and Recreation Department/Flickr
Fort Ransom State Park, Walt Hjelle Parkway, Fort Ransom, ND, USA
ND Parks and Recreation Department/Flickr
Here's another place that'll make you forget you're in North Dakota. It's lush and green and when the sun hits the ridges just right, it's pure perfection. Fort Ransom State Park in North Dakota is excellent for a day trip in and of itself.

Check out a preview of the stunningly beautiful Fort Ransom State Park:

There you have it: a delightful scenic road trip in North Dakota that’s sure to make for a wonderful time. What’s your favorite stop along the way? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

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More to Explore

North Dakota Road Trip

Tori Jane | February 02, 2023
  1. Where should I go on a North Dakota road trip? 

Our state is an amazing state to explore from top to bottom, and there are numerous stops that definitely need to be added to literally any North Dakota road trip, including amazing locations like:  

  • Put together a sunflower field road trip in the late summer – North Dakota produces no less than 40% of the sunflowers you’ll find in the US 
  • The Four Bears Scenic Byway is one of the most amazing drives in the United States 
  • The Old Road Old Ten Scenic Byway winds through some delightful very old-school small towns in ND with beautiful scenery to boot 

Learn more about the amazing Killdeer Four Bears Scenic Byway!   

  1. What are some iconic examples of North Dakota scenery? 

The list of iconic North Dakota scenery is so long that we couldn’t even try to list each spot here, but we can definitely list more. Some other iconic parts of North Dakota scenery are incredible places filled with wonder, such as:  

  • Theodore Roosevelt National Park, including amazing places within it like 
  • The petrified forest at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, one of the very few forests like it in the entire world 
  • The Painted Canyon Overlook, one of the best scenic views in the entire Rough Rider State 

Learn more about the amazingness that is Theodore Roosevelt National Park and plan your visit ASAP.   

  1. What kind of natural wonders in North Dakota are there? 

Just about every state has its fair share of amazing places to enjoy, but North Dakota seems to have a higher number than most (lucky us). Some of the most important natural wonders in North Dakota you’ll want to add to your bucket list are:  

  • The Cannonball Concretions Pullout within Theodore Roosevelt National Park – trust us, it’s delightfully weird 
  • Fort Ransom State Park – famous for its amazing natural beauty and for showcasing the amazingness of ND  
  • Graham’s Island at Devil’s Lake – a photogenic lake with all sorts of sporting options and fun times in the forecast 

Learn more about the breathtaking natural wonders of North Dakota.   

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