Winter’s fun, right? Okay, maybe it gets a little cold sometimes (alright, fine, it’s big cold a lot) but that doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate the beauty of winter anyway. What better way to celebrate winter than by visiting the snowiest town for a winter getaway in North Dakota? This one’s definitely for all the snow lovers out there because those who can’t stand the fluffy white stuff and lament each time it starts to fall are gonna hate this one. Winter in North Dakota is amazing… as long as you enjoy winter, anyway… and arm yourself with your warmest winter essentials.

Welcome to Fargo, North Dakota! It's the single most populous "Fargo" in the United States.
Robert Ashworth/Flickr
As of the 2020 census, there are 125,990 people who call this little town home. Sure, it's the largest "city" in North Dakota... but by almost any other state's standards, a population of just over 100k makes it a "town", but we guess it's subjective.
The town was founded in 1871 and named Centralia.
Ron Reiring/Flickr
Later, its name would be changed to honor William Fargo, the Northern Pacific Railway director and Wells Fargo Express Company founder. It's a really nice little place to call home or to visit year-round...
...as long as you don't mind the snow.
Fargo-Moorhead CVB/Flickr
The national average in the United States is 28 inches of snow annually. Fargo, however, knocks that standard out of the park, with an impressive average of 51.6 inches of snow annually, almost double the norm.

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The snow isn't even so bad, really - usually, it's the wind and the frigid temperatures that ensure haters of all things winter will stay far away.
Jauher Ali Nasir/Flickr
The average daytime temperature during winter in Fargo, ND is around 24 degrees in December, dropping to 16 degrees in January (which is the coldest month of the year). If that sounds cold to you, wait 'til you learn the lows: 8 degrees in December, and -1 degrees in January. Yay!
Of course, this doesn't mean there isn't anything to do during this time. In fact, it's quite the opposite.
Jordan Green/Flickr
There are plenty of amazing things to do in North Dakota during the winter, and folks around here tend to celebrate it for all its beauty instead of grumbling about what a pain the snow is. After all, if we weren't fans of snow, we probably wouldn't still be here.
Fargo is a friendly, warm community, and we think visiting this little place is one of the best possible ways to kill some time this winter.
The National Guard/Flickr
It's not every day you step inside somewhere that quite literally feels like a snow globe, but it sure is magical.

What are some of your favorite places to go during the winter in North Dakota? Have you ever been to Fargo when there’s two feet of snow on the ground? Let us know! And if you are, indeed, planning a winter getaway in North Dakota, tell us all the details – we’d love to hear.

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Winter Getaway in North Dakota

Tori Jane | November 17, 2023

Where can I go for the perfect winter getaway in North Dakota?  

North Dakota might be a bit – okay, a lot – cold, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a wonderful place for a winter escape. In fact, we could argue that it’s perfect for it. Some of our all-time favorite ideas for a nice winter getaway in North Dakota are things like:  

  • Frost Fire – Head to Pembina Gorge and enjoy all the winter sports your heart could ever hope for. Skiing, snowboarding, tubing – this one’s got it all.  
  • Cross Ranch State Park – This North Dakota state park turns into a total winter wonderland every season. Come out for Winterfest – you'll love it.  
  • Visit Devil’s Lake – Lovers of the outdoors will love an adventure on this gorgeous, frozen lake. Dress warm!  

Learn more about our favorite winter getaways in North Dakota. 

What can I do outside during the winter in North Dakota?  

Who says you can’t go outside when it’s cold out? Definitely not us. In fact, we encourage it (given the proper outdoor gear for very cold weather, of course). There are lots of awesome things to do outside during the winter in North Dakota, with our favorites being:  

  • Winter hikes – Many of the amazing hiking trails in North Dakota are not closed for the winter; instead, they’re maintained and perfect for a daytime outing.  
  • Glamping – While some campgrounds are indeed open for the chilly season, we think this is the best time of year for some glamping in something like a yurt, which you’ll definitely find here.  
  • Winter sports – With as much snow as we get, it’s no surprise that there are winter sports galore to be enjoyed. Ice skating, skiing, snowboarding, tubing... you’ll find all this and more just outside your door.  

Learn more about all the best thing to do in winter in North Dakota. 

What are some fun things to do in Fargo, ND?  

Fargo, North Dakota is so much more than a quirky Midwestern town in a cult classic film-turned-series; there are plenty of things to do in Fargo, ND. Some of the must-do things to see in Fargo include:  

  • The Fargo-Moorhead Visitor’s Center – Okay, this one’s for the movie geeks. The wood chipper’s even there. If you’re a movie buff, this one’s a must.  
  • Explore restaurants and eateries – Fargo is known for being an awesome spot for foodies. With as many unique places to eat there are, your palate will never get bored.  
  • Winter shenanigans – Fargo is literally the snowiest city in the state, and as a result, we’ve got some world-class skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and more.  

Learn more about the city of Fargo.  

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