I’ve not seen North Dakota listed on any ‘Top 10 Places to Visit.’ I’ve heard visitors speak about N.D. because they passed through on their way to somewhere else. I was born and raised there, and I didn’t know about my affinity for the prairie until I moved away and returned. When I visit, I seek out and reconnect to the land and space of my favorite places. Several may intrigue you enough to stop for a leg or multi-day stretch. Town names are in parentheses.
1. The pathways along the Missouri River (in Bismarck): The Missouri River flows into the Mississippi River which contributes to its size and volume. Easy urban access any time of the day. I tend to start at Sertoma Park and walk the pathway towards the Missouri River and then follow along the river to Eagles Park, or I’ll cross the Expressway Bridge and then follow the sidewalk to the Memorial Bridge and cross back over.
2. Fort Lincoln State Park (in Mandan): Standing on the hilltops you can see miles of land and sky plus you can gaze down upon the Missouri River. There’s day hiking or cabin/campground overnight stays here. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. FLSP has monthly community hikes. In the summer, a visitor can ride the Fort Lincoln trolley or use the multi-recreational trail for an out and back bike ride or run.
3. Fort Ransom State Park (in Fort Ransom): In the summertime, walking and horse trails cross grassy pastures and climb buttes for vistas of surrounding valleys tucked into rolling hills. There’s a tree-shaded backroad called the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway with quaint farms and barns paralleling the road.
4. Cross Ranch State Park (in Center): This is a forest on the prairie. Different parts of the trail system are steps away from the Missouri River. There is cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Yurts are available for rent, and a Bluegrass Festival occurs in June. Up the road is a buffalo preserve.
5. This is my favorite. Theodore Roosevelt National Park (in Medora): These Badlands have been referred to as the little Grand Canyon. Canyons cut into plateaus and border buttes and are home to bison, wild horses, prairie dogs, and other assorted wildlife. Sometimes the daylight reflects off the rock creating a glow which can make one’s heart shiver. There’s day hiking, and sections of the park intersect with the Maah Daah Hey Trail bike trail. A favorite memory of mine is on a drive through the north-unit. I came around a curve, and with a sorbet-hued orange, pink, and peach colored sunset as the backdrop, I saw a herd of wild horses standing atop a grassy butte. Happy Travels. I hope there’s dessert somewhere in your week.
Happy Travels.
Addendum (2/16/19): I did not include any photos of Theodore Roosevelt National Park/Badlands because what I had were lost in a technology upgrade. I’ll be visiting the park this summer and will take new pictures then.
