What is there to do in North Dakota?!
North Dakota is a state that only 15% of Americans ever make it to. Our main goal with our road trip was to visit South Dakota, but how could we miss an opportunity to visit the state to the North while we were so close. We made the long drive up there during this trip and visited Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the capital of Bismarck. Check out what we got up to while in North Dakota!
Our whole trip consisted of Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and North Dakota.
This trip was taken July 2023.
Check out full vlog here:
Medora
After crossing into the state, we headed straight to Medora, a small western-style town right at the entrance of the park. This area is closely tied to Theodore Roosevelt, who spent time ranching here and credited North Dakota with shaping much of his life.
Medora itself is tiny but convenient. We stayed at the AmericInn by Wyndham, which—if we’re being honest—was pretty average and pricey, but the location made it worth it. Being able to walk to restaurants, shops, and grab ice cream in the evening was a big plus.
We enjoyed a nice dinner at Farmhouse Grill which was delicious and had really fresh food, and got some delicious ice cream at Hatle and Bre Ice Cream. We actually stopped here before we left in the AM for some coffee as well!
We walked around a few of the cute shops, watched the train go by (didn’t have a choice, as it blocked the way back to our hotel) and then crashed for the night.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
The real highlight here is the national park. It’s incredibly underrated and, best of all—not crowded. After visiting busier parks like Yellowstone, this felt like a breath of fresh air.
We:
- Visited Roosevelt’s original cabin site
- Drove the scenic loop through the park
- Stopped for several short hikes to overlooks
- Saw prairie dog towns and even wild horses
It’s a beautiful mix of badlands, open space, and wildlife—and a place we’d absolutely recommend.
It took us about 2 hours in total to do the loop. Our stops included:
- Prairie Dog Metropolis
- Peaceful Valley Ranch
- Wind Canyon 0.5 miles
- Boicourt Overlook Trail 0.8 miles
- Buck Hill Trail 0.4 miles
We had planned to stop at Old East Entrance Trail and Scoria Overlook to complete the loop, but they were closed while we were there.
Bismarck
On our way out, we stopped at the Painted Canyon Visitor Center for a picnic lunch. The views here are incredible and it’s a super easy, worthwhile stop.
We also passed parts of the Enchanted Highway, known for its massive roadside sculptures. We didn’t stop this time (road trip fatigue is real!), but if you have the energy, it looks like a really fun and quirky detour.
We ended our North Dakota visit in the state capital. It was a quieter stop, but still enjoyable. We visited the Dakota Zoo, which is smaller but really well done and easy to explore.
We also drove by the North Dakota State Capitol—definitely unique in appearance and… let’s just say, not your typical domed capitol building!
Dinner at CraftCade was a hit with the kids—pizza plus arcade games is always a win.
Before heading out, we grabbed coffee at Boneshaker Coffee Company—highly recommend!
One thing we really wanted to see was a sunflower field, and with a bit of research (and some driving), we found an absolutely massive one just outside of town. If you’re visiting in late summer, it’s worth tracking these down—North Dakota tourism sites often share current locations. The one we visited was up 83 towards the town of Baldwin (turned right on 201st Ave NE). Drove about 3 min to 66th street and turned left. Then just up the road was a giant field!
Funny Memories:
And one of the most random (and memorable) moments of the trip? The hunt for “Gramma Val’s” famous Scotcheroos. After striking out at a few stores, we literally found her on Facebook and texted her. She responded, told us where to find them—and we’ve actually kept in touch and even had her desserts shipped to us since. Road trip magic 🙂
We wrapped up our time flying out of Bismarck—and it might be one of the smallest airports we’ve ever been to. No food options, but surprisingly… DoorDash to the airport worked perfectly. Not something you get to do everywhere!
Wrap-Up
North Dakota might not be at the top of most travel lists, but that’s part of what makes it so special. It’s quiet, unique, and full of unexpected highlights—from the wide-open beauty of Theodore Roosevelt National Park to quirky roadside attractions and small-town charm.
We’re really glad we made the detour—it’s a great addition if you’re already exploring the Dakotas and want to experience something a little different.
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