Though the prairie has long ago been settled and there are little remnants of those who did it other than the modern-day communities they began all those years ago, you can still find a glimpse of them here and there. This historic part of North Dakota can be found in a gorgeous place, and it’ll give you the opportunity to feel what it was like to be a settler back then. Check it out:

When settlers were coming across the land heading west to find new prospects, they usually traveled in wagon trains. Many wagons crossed the plains of North Dakota in search of new land or simply to settle there.
US National Archives/Wikimedia
Today, you can find a very special remnant of those settler wagons at North Dakota's beautiful Lewis and Clark State Park. It is located on the edge of Lake Sakakawea, which didn't exist yet back in the settlers' time.
NDPRD/Flickr
The park has quite a few hiking trails but for this particular trip you'll want to take the Prairie Nature Trial.
NDPRD/Flickr

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The Prairie Nature Trail is only just under half a mile long and will take you through a lovely section of woods and grassy prairie.
NDPRD/Flickr
While you're on the trail you'll get beautiful glimpses of the lake and you will also come across another trail - a trail that hasn't been used in over a hundred years.
NDPRD/Flickr
That trail is an old wagon trail the settlers used. It intersects with the Prairie Nature Trail and you can still see the wagon ruts cut deep into the mud from tons of wagons using it over time. This kind of trace is hard to find anywhere else after decades of natural erosion, but it's still here.
NDPRD/Flickr
While you're there you can further explore this stunning park. The land is mostly untouched other than the lake, of course, and you can imagine the endless hills of prairie grass that the settlers saw back in the day. It is certainly an experience!
NDPRD/Flickr

You can visit the Lewis and Clark State Park and take the Prairie Nature Trail at 4904 119th Rd. NW, Epping, North Dakota 58843. For more information on the trail and other trails in the park, click here.

Jump back into history by checking out some of the earliest photos ever taken in North Dakota.

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