North Dakota
Discover North Dakota
North Dakota is a state in the Great Plains of the United States. Since Lewis and Clark wintered here along the Missouri River, the land has become known for its rugged badlands in the west, fertile farmlands in the east, and ample hunting and fishing throughout. It is the least visited state in the United States, and many travellers often overlook it. Do not let that deter you, because this beautiful state will allow you to enjoy numerous outdoor attractions and wonderful landscapes. The "Peace Garden State" is the 19th largest state and the fourth least populated state, having 780,000 residents in 2022.
What to Experience in North Dakota
Taste of North Dakota...
When you’re in North Dakota, have some Chippers. They’re essentially Ruffles dipped in chocolate. You can buy them any place that sells North Dakota themed stuff. North Dakota is home to four wineries and one vineyard, and the popularity of North Dakota wines is growing. From pumpkin to rhubarb, apple to honey, there's a wide variety. Tours and tasting is available at all locations. Perhaps the biggest danger you can face is the weather. North Dakota often experiences extreme temperatures, which should come as no surprise as the state has a continental climate. The weather can be quite nasty, so prepare and plan accordingly. In winter people have frozen to death by getting lost on snow-covered fields or roads. Lakes can ice over in the winter, but be sure you know the thickness and quality of the ice before venturing out. (Ask a local if unsure.) Never explore North Dakota in the winter without proper gear. In terms of personal safety, North Dakota is an extremely safe state. Crime rates tend to be low, but can be higher in oil boom towns, especially in Williston. Industrial oil development, mainly taking place in the area between Minot, Williston, and Dickinson, has made most highways unsafe for bicyclists. Do not approach stray dogs on any of the Reservations. Beware stray dogs are more active after sundown. The poisonous rattlesnake can be stumbled on by mistake. Rattlesnakes should be avoided and never disturbed.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped North Dakota into what it is today.
Much of the area that now comprises North Dakota has been inhabited for thousands of years by Native Americans. It wasn't until the 1800s when European immigrants started coming in large numbers. Ethnic Germans from Russia were drawn by the prospect of owning cheap and plentiful land in North Dakota, and Norwegian farmers were drawn to the state's fertile land. To this day, Norwegians and Russian-Germans (also known as Volga Germans) are the two largest ethnic groups in the state. North and South Dakota were once organized as the same territory, but as the railroads through Dakota Territory ran from east to west, tensions between the southern and northern rail corridors emerged. In 1889, North Dakota was admitted to the union as a state, along with South Dakota. President Benjamin Harrison shuffled the statehood papers before signing them so that no one could tell which became a state first. North Dakota's rich natural resources became critical to economic development. Soil is North Dakota's most precious resource, the base of the state's great agricultural wealth. Oil extraction from the Bakken formation in the northwest has played a major role in the state's prosperity. Scheduled airline service is available in Bismarck (BIS), Devils Lake (DVL), Dickinson (DIK), Fargo (FAR), Grand Forks (GFK), Jamestown (JMS), Minot (MOT), and Williston (XWA)....
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsScheduled airline service is available in Bismarck (BIS), Devils Lake (DVL), Dickinson (DIK), Fargo (FAR), Grand Forks (GFK), Jamestown (JMS), Minot (MOT), and Williston (XWA). Two Interstate highways connect to adjacent states: For those arriving from Canada, 24-hour customs stations are available at SK 39 (U.S. 52) in Portal, MB 10 (U.S. 281) in Peace Gardens, and MB 75 (I-29) in Pembina. Amtrak serves Fargo, Grand Forks, Devils Lake, Rugby, Minot, Stanley and Williston via its once daily Empire Builder train that runs between Chicago and Portland/Seattle. Given the vast area of the state, the best way to get around quickly is by car. All major cities (Bismarck, Fargo, and Jamestown) are accessible from each other because they share one highway in common: Interstate 94 (I-94). You can easily cover all of them just by driving down this highway....
Regions
Explore AreasThe "Peace Garden State" is the 19th largest state and the fourth least populated state, having 780,000 residents in 2022. Much of the area that now comprises North Dakota has been inhabited for thous…...
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Given the vast area of the state, the best way to get around quickly is by car. All major cities (Bismarck, Fargo, and Jamestown) are accessible from each other because they share one highway in common: Interstate 94 (I-94). You can easily cover all of them just by driving down this highway. Wandering livestock and extremely harsh weather conditions (especially during the winters) can make driving on North Dakotan roads rather challenging. The state Department of Transportation is a useful resource, with up-to-date road conditions and closure information. Refer to it often if you plan on driving during the winters. Information on state transit networks can be found from the American Public Transportation Association page for North Dakota and through the North Dakota Tourism Board transit list. The only intrastate flight within the state is the United Express flight segment (operated by Skywest Airlines) between Jamestown (JML) and Devil's Lake (DVL).
Language & Talk
The main language of the state is English. Residents can have a distinctive accent, and there are several distinctive phrases and colloquial expressions in common use, many of them with roots in the area's Scandinavian heritage: German is spoken in some small villages around the state, but its use has largely diminished. It's spoken by the elderly, but not by the younger generation. Experience North Dakota's military history through a visit to a fort or state historic site. As settlers pushed west, forts were established to provide protection and central meeting places. The North Dakota State Historical Society operates most historic forts in the state.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Perhaps the biggest danger you can face is the weather. North Dakota often experiences extreme temperatures, which should come as no surprise as the state has a continental climate. The weather can be quite nasty, so prepare and plan accordingly. In winter people have frozen to death by getting lost on snow-covered fields or roads. Lakes can ice over in the winter, but be sure you know the thickness and quality of the ice before venturing out. (Ask a local if unsure.) Never explore North Dakota in the winter without proper gear. In terms of personal safety, North Dakota is an extremely safe state. Crime rates tend to be low, but can be higher in oil boom towns, especially in Williston. Industrial oil development, mainly taking place in the area between Minot, Williston, and Dickinson, has made most highways unsafe for bicyclists. Do not approach stray dogs on any of the Reservations. Beware stray dogs are more active after sundown.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of North Dakota
a river running through a lush green valley
Watch: https://youtu.be/6I_D_w3dod4
Midday clouds over Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Main Avenue @ Fargo, North Dakota
a herd of buffalo grazing on a lush green hillside
Front view of line of John Deere combine harvesters farm workers in wheat field blue sky clouds wheat stubble grain
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
an aerial view of a road in the mountains covered in snow
The hulking, lumbering American Bison walking through sagebrush in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Trail in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
a river running through a lush green valley
Watch: https://youtu.be/6I_D_w3dod4
Midday clouds over Theodore Roosevelt National Park