Download the around.us app
For a better experience, use our mobile application.

North Dakota's Secret Treasures: A Journey Through the State's Lesser-Known Wonders

Embark on a voyage of discovery through North Dakota, unearthing the state's best-kept secrets and secluded spots far from the well-trodden tourist trails. This curated list reveals the charm of North Dakota's under-the-radar attractions, inviting adventurers to explore enchanting landscapes, historical relics, and local favorites that encapsulate the spirit of this quiet but majestic state.

The Enchanted Highway
The Enchanted Highway

Regent, North Dakota, USA

A magical stretch of road adorned with whimsical scrap metal sculptures

Fort Ransom State Park
Fort Ransom State Park

Ransom County, North Dakota, USA

Picturesque park offering hiking trails and rich histories of the Native Americans and pioneers

Pembina Gorge
Pembina Gorge

Pembina County, North Dakota, USA

Stunning natural gorge featuring fossil hunting and breathtaking trails

Icelandic State Park
Icelandic State Park

Cavalier County, North Dakota, USA

A tribute to North Dakota’s Icelandic heritage, nestled along scenic Lake Renwick

Nekoma Missile Site
Nekoma Missile Site

Cavalier County, North Dakota, USA

Historic Cold War-era missile launch site, now a stark reminder of times past

Sullys Hill National Game Preserve
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve

Benson County, North Dakota, USA

A thriving wildlife sanctuary with diverse ecosystems and prime bird watching opportunities

Cannonball Concretions Pullout
Cannonball Concretions Pullout

Grant County, North Dakota, USA

Geological marvels that appear like massive stone spheres scattered across the landscape

Cross Ranch State Park
Cross Ranch State Park

Oliver County, North Dakota, USA

A remote and tranquil park that retains the raw beauty of the Missouri River’s natural forest

Chateau de Mores State Historic Site
Chateau de Mores State Historic Site

Medora, North Dakota, USA

The summer home of a French nobleman which echoes the late 1800s lifestyle

Double Ditch Indian Village
Double Ditch Indian Village

Burleigh County, North Dakota, USA

Ruins of a large Native American settlement offering insight into centuries-old Mandan culture

Elkhorn Ranch Site
Elkhorn Ranch Site

McKenzie County, North Dakota, USA

The remnants of Theodore Roosevelt’s ranch, providing a window into his life before presidency

Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site
Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site

Walsh County, North Dakota, USA

An old trading post reflecting the early days of commerce on the Northern Plains

Paul Broste Rock Museum
Paul Broste Rock Museum

McLean County, North Dakota, USA

Museum featuring an extensive collection of regional and global geological specimens

Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site
Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site

Cooperstown, North Dakota, USA

Historical missile site offering a rare peek into the Cold War era’s defense strategies

Fort Totten State Historic Site
Fort Totten State Historic Site

Benson County, North Dakota, USA

Well-preserved military outpost that played a significant role in the western expansion

W'eel Turtle
W'eel Turtle

Rolette County, North Dakota, USA

An enormous turtle sculpture made from over 2000 wheel rims located in Dunseith

Fargo Air Museum
Fargo Air Museum

Fargo, North Dakota, USA

Aviation museum with an extensive collection of aircrafts and aviation artifacts

Cartwright Tunnel and Fairview Lift Bridge
Cartwright Tunnel and Fairview Lift Bridge

McKenzie County, North Dakota, USA

Historic bridge and tunnel along the Yellowstone River, now a walking trail with picturesque views

Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center

Washburn, North Dakota, USA

Interactive center educating visitors about the explorers' journey through exhibits and a full-size replica keelboat

Dakota Territory Air Museum
Dakota Territory Air Museum

Minot, North Dakota, USA

Pays homage to North Dakota’s aviation history and houses vintage aircraft

World's Largest Buffalo
World's Largest Buffalo

United States of America

Sculpture in the United States

Lake Metigoshe State Park
Lake Metigoshe State Park

Bottineau County, North Dakota, USA

A serene park offering year-round outdoor activities set amidst rolling hills and forests

Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit
Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit

McKenzie County, North Dakota, USA

Lesser visited part of the national park featuring rugged terrain and hiking trails

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

Mercer County, North Dakota, USA

Historical park preserving the heritage of Northern Plains Indians

Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Stutsman County, North Dakota, USA

Vital nesting ground for pelicans and other migratory birds amidst scenic wetlands

Bonanzaville USA
Bonanzaville USA

West Fargo, North Dakota, USA

Historical village and museum featuring original buildings from Cass County's early days

Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park

United States of America

National park in United States of America

Center of North America Monument
Center of North America Monument

Rugby, North Dakota, USA

Marking the geographically calculated center of North America in Rugby, ND

Scandinavian Heritage Park
Scandinavian Heritage Park

Minot, North Dakota, USA

Celebrates Nordic cultures with replicas of traditional buildings and a Scandinavian Festival

White Butte
White Butte

Slope County, North Dakota, USA

The highest natural point in the state, offering stark landscape and hiking opportunities

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site

Williams County, North Dakota, USA

A partial reconstruction of the most important fur trading post on the upper Missouri

Kulm Wetland Management District
Kulm Wetland Management District

LaMoure County, North Dakota, USA

A secluded refuge for waterfowl and wildlife conservation efforts

The Enchanted Highway A magical stretch of road adorned with whimsical scrap metal sculptures

The Enchanted Highway
The Enchanted Highway A magical stretch of road adorned with whimsical scrap metal sculptures
Fort Ransom State Park Picturesque park offering hiking trails and rich histories of the Native Americans and pioneers

Fort Ransom State Park
Fort Ransom State Park Picturesque park offering hiking trails and rich histories of the Native Americans and pioneers
Pembina Gorge Stunning natural gorge featuring fossil hunting and breathtaking trails

Pembina Gorge
Pembina Gorge Stunning natural gorge featuring fossil hunting and breathtaking trails
Icelandic State Park A tribute to North Dakota’s Icelandic heritage, nestled along scenic Lake Renwick

Icelandic State Park
Icelandic State Park A tribute to North Dakota’s Icelandic heritage, nestled along scenic Lake Renwick
Nekoma Missile Site Historic Cold War-era missile launch site, now a stark reminder of times past

Nekoma Missile Site
Nekoma Missile Site Historic Cold War-era missile launch site, now a stark reminder of times past
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve A thriving wildlife sanctuary with diverse ecosystems and prime bird watching opportunities

Sullys Hill National Game Preserve
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve A thriving wildlife sanctuary with diverse ecosystems and prime bird watching opportunities
Cannonball Concretions Pullout Geological marvels that appear like massive stone spheres scattered across the landscape

Cannonball Concretions Pullout
Cannonball Concretions Pullout Geological marvels that appear like massive stone spheres scattered across the landscape
Cross Ranch State Park A remote and tranquil park that retains the raw beauty of the Missouri River’s natural forest

Cross Ranch State Park
Cross Ranch State Park A remote and tranquil park that retains the raw beauty of the Missouri River’s natural forest
Chateau de Mores State Historic Site The summer home of a French nobleman which echoes the late 1800s lifestyle

Chateau de Mores State Historic Site
Chateau de Mores State Historic Site The summer home of a French nobleman which echoes the late 1800s lifestyle
Double Ditch Indian Village Ruins of a large Native American settlement offering insight into centuries-old Mandan culture

Double Ditch Indian Village
Double Ditch Indian Village Ruins of a large Native American settlement offering insight into centuries-old Mandan culture
Elkhorn Ranch Site The remnants of Theodore Roosevelt’s ranch, providing a window into his life before presidency

Elkhorn Ranch Site
Elkhorn Ranch Site The remnants of Theodore Roosevelt’s ranch, providing a window into his life before presidency
Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site An old trading post reflecting the early days of commerce on the Northern Plains

Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site
Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site An old trading post reflecting the early days of commerce on the Northern Plains
Paul Broste Rock Museum Museum featuring an extensive collection of regional and global geological specimens

Paul Broste Rock Museum
Paul Broste Rock Museum Museum featuring an extensive collection of regional and global geological specimens
Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site Historical missile site offering a rare peek into the Cold War era’s defense strategies

Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site
Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site Historical missile site offering a rare peek into the Cold War era’s defense strategies
Fort Totten State Historic Site Well-preserved military outpost that played a significant role in the western expansion

Fort Totten State Historic Site
Fort Totten State Historic Site Well-preserved military outpost that played a significant role in the western expansion
W'eel Turtle An enormous turtle sculpture made from over 2000 wheel rims located in Dunseith

W'eel Turtle
W'eel Turtle An enormous turtle sculpture made from over 2000 wheel rims located in Dunseith
Fargo Air Museum Aviation museum with an extensive collection of aircrafts and aviation artifacts

Fargo Air Museum
Fargo Air Museum Aviation museum with an extensive collection of aircrafts and aviation artifacts
Cartwright Tunnel and Fairview Lift Bridge Historic bridge and tunnel along the Yellowstone River, now a walking trail with picturesque views

Cartwright Tunnel and Fairview Lift Bridge
Cartwright Tunnel and Fairview Lift Bridge Historic bridge and tunnel along the Yellowstone River, now a walking trail with picturesque views
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Interactive center educating visitors about the explorers' journey through exhibits and a full-size replica keelboat

Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Interactive center educating visitors about the explorers' journey through exhibits and a full-size replica keelboat
Dakota Territory Air Museum Pays homage to North Dakota’s aviation history and houses vintage aircraft

Dakota Territory Air Museum
Dakota Territory Air Museum Pays homage to North Dakota’s aviation history and houses vintage aircraft
World's Largest Buffalo Sculpture in the United States

World's Largest Buffalo
World's Largest Buffalo Sculpture in the United States
Lake Metigoshe State Park A serene park offering year-round outdoor activities set amidst rolling hills and forests

Lake Metigoshe State Park
Lake Metigoshe State Park A serene park offering year-round outdoor activities set amidst rolling hills and forests
Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit Lesser visited part of the national park featuring rugged terrain and hiking trails

Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit
Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit Lesser visited part of the national park featuring rugged terrain and hiking trails
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site Historical park preserving the heritage of Northern Plains Indians

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site Historical park preserving the heritage of Northern Plains Indians
Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge Vital nesting ground for pelicans and other migratory birds amidst scenic wetlands

Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge Vital nesting ground for pelicans and other migratory birds amidst scenic wetlands
Bonanzaville USA Historical village and museum featuring original buildings from Cass County's early days

Bonanzaville USA
Bonanzaville USA Historical village and museum featuring original buildings from Cass County's early days
Theodore Roosevelt National Park National park in United States of America

Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park National park in United States of America
Center of North America Monument Marking the geographically calculated center of North America in Rugby, ND

Center of North America Monument
Center of North America Monument Marking the geographically calculated center of North America in Rugby, ND
Scandinavian Heritage Park Celebrates Nordic cultures with replicas of traditional buildings and a Scandinavian Festival

Scandinavian Heritage Park
Scandinavian Heritage Park Celebrates Nordic cultures with replicas of traditional buildings and a Scandinavian Festival
White Butte The highest natural point in the state, offering stark landscape and hiking opportunities

White Butte
White Butte The highest natural point in the state, offering stark landscape and hiking opportunities
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site A partial reconstruction of the most important fur trading post on the upper Missouri

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site A partial reconstruction of the most important fur trading post on the upper Missouri
Kulm Wetland Management District A secluded refuge for waterfowl and wildlife conservation efforts

Kulm Wetland Management District
Kulm Wetland Management District A secluded refuge for waterfowl and wildlife conservation efforts