Golden Valley County

Golden Valley County is a county in western North Dakota spanning semi-arid hills and agricultural lands intersected by Beaver Creek and Little Missouri River. Beach serves as its administrative center and the main community in the region.

The county separated from Billings County in 1912 following a contested election that required North Dakota Supreme Court intervention to resolve. This difficult start shaped its early identity as an independent jurisdiction.

Farming shapes daily life here, with ranchers and agricultural workers managing vast tracts of land across the rolling terrain. These activities form the backbone of the local economy and community identity.

Interstate 94 and North Dakota Highway 16 provide main transportation routes connecting Beach with neighboring areas. The county is rural, so visitors should plan ahead as amenities and services are scattered across the landscape.

The name came from 1902 when land surveyors noticed the golden color of prairie grasses shining under sunlight. This observation of the landscape's natural hues became the inspiration for naming the entire county.

Location: North Dakota

Inception: 1912

Capital city: Beach

Shares border with: McKenzie County, Billings County, Slope County, Fallon County, Wibaux County

Website: http://BeachND.com

GPS coordinates: 46.94000,-103.84000

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:23