North Dakota is home to five national parks, trails, and sites, and they all provide an amazing adventure into the past. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is probably the most popular national park in North Dakota, but the state also hosts Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, Fort Union Trade Post National Historic Site, Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, and North Country National Scenic Trail. All of these make for excellent outdoor adventures, but Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site are our favorite.

 

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is home to the badlands of America. President Roosevelt came to North Dakota for the first time in 1883 and fell in love with the state. Roosevelt purchased two ranches in North Dakota, which are now part of the park.
Chiot's Run/Flickr
The Badlands are geographic areas where sedimentary rock was eroded by wind and water. This exposes the layers of earth that formed over hundreds of thousands of years, giving you a great look into the earth's past.
fritzmb/Flickr
Theodore Roosevelt fell in love with the bison in the area and even built a cabin on his ranch that he used before he became president. This cabin can still be seen in the park today.
Amy Meredith/Flickr

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The Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is also found in North Dakota, and it provides a fascinating look into the adventures of America's first inhabitants.
Ian Minter/Google Local
The site was established to preserve the historical artifacts from the Hidatsa Northern Plains Indians that were found here. Today, you can see remnants of earth-lodge dwellings, as well as recreated models. Some are so big that they housed more than 20 people.
Boondox 268/Google Local
Sakakawea is also part of the history of this national historic site. Sakakawea lived in one of these Knife River Villages and served as a guide for Lewis and Clark's expedition exploring North Dakota and America.
Dwight Makinson/Google Local

 

North Dakota offers so many opportunities to explore America’s past that it is hard to choose our favorite option. What has your favorite adventure in North Dakota been?

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Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, USA