Crow Flies High State Recreation Area, Historic site and recreation area near New Town, North Dakota
Crow Flies High State Recreation Area is a recreation site overlooking Lake Sakakawea and Four Bears Bridge, spread across open grassland and wooded sections. The landscape features gentle hills with access points to the shoreline and viewing areas.
The site was initially managed by the National Park Service from 1917 until 1956, when it transferred to the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department. This shift moved the area from federal to state-level stewardship.
The name honors a Hidatsa chief and the site sits within Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, reflecting the presence of Native peoples in this landscape that visitors experience firsthand.
The area is accessible via State Route 23 and offers free admission for day trips. Hiking trails and viewing areas are available, but overnight facilities are not provided on-site.
When water levels drop in the reservoir, visitors can spot the remains of Sanish, a town submerged beneath the surface. This rare opportunity reveals the hidden history lying below the water.
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