You have a whole year ahead of you to fill with new adventures and memories to last a lifetime. There are so many things to do and experience in North Dakota for every month of the year and beyond. If you’re looking for ideas on what to do and when – then you’ve come to the right place. Here is a list of the best day trips in North Dakota, one for every month of the year. Check it out:
January - Bottineau Winter Park
Bottineau Winter Park/Facebook Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and tubing at one of North Dakota’s best winter parks. This spot has everything you need for an entire day’s worth of snowy fun with the whole family or a group of friends. Bottineau Winter Park, Dalen, ND 58318, USA
February - Fort Ransom State Park
NDPRD/Flickr Enjoy the coziness of a luxurious yurt and beautiful, snowy landscapes outdoors at Fort Ransom State Park. They have year-round camping options, snowshoe rentals, cross-country skiing trails, and more. This place easily proves that it doesn’t have to be summer for camping - you can do it even in February. Fort Ransom State Park, 5981 Walt Hjelle Pkwy, Fort Ransom, ND 58033, USA
March - North Dakota Winter Show
North Dakota Winter Show/Facebook This is the oldest and longest-running agricultural show in North Dakota, and it has been around since 1937 and held annually ever since. With an entire week of March filled full of live entertainment, vendors, competition, and more, this is one event you can’t miss.r Winter Show Road Southwest, Winter Show Rd SW, Valley City, ND 58072, USA
April - Maple Sugaring Day
Fort Stevenson State Park/Facebook If you love maple syrup, then you’ll absolutely adore this annual event being held at one of North Dakota’s state parks. Learn how to tap real maple trees, enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, and - of course - eat tasty, fresh maple syrup over pancakes or turned into maple cotton candy. Discover all this event has to offer by reading about last year’s event.
May - SkyFest over Fort Stevenson
Skyfest over Ft. Stevenson/Facebook Each year in May, the skies over this historic fort fill with colorful kites for the annual SkyFest over Fort Stevenson. Bring your own kite and enjoy flying it next to Lake Sakakawea, or watch professional kite fliers soar their special kites. This multi-day event offers things for people of all ages and skill levels.
June - Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Jasperdo/Flickr This place should be on everyone’s bucket list. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is absolutely spectacular, and one of the best times to visit it is early summer. When the prairie grasses are lush and green, wild animals like bison and horses roaming with their young by their side, and the weather near perfect, it sets up the best possible experience to see the badlands.
July - Red River Valley Fair
Red River Valley Fair/Facebook Summertime is the time for fairs, and there are few better fairs in the midwest than Red River Valley Fair. Generally around a week long, this event has everything you love about fairs and more. Fun rides, amazing live entertainment, games, and everyone’s favorite fair foods, are just the beginning of all this fair has to offer.
August - Medora
Medora Musical/Tripadvisor Though a tiny town with less than 200 residents, Medora, North Dakota draws in crowds of thousands every summer. Located in the southwest corner of North Dakota, this town is famous for its wild west theme, popular outdoor musical, great food, and access to history, natural wonders, and more.
September - Norsk Høstfest
Norsk Høstfest/Facebook There is no bigger Scandinavian-themed festival in North America than this one. Held annually in Minot, it brings together people of Scandinavian heritage and those without to share culture from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Finland. Food, crafts, demonstrations, fun activities - and that’s just the beginning. Learn more by
October - Papa’s Pumpkin Patch
Papa’s Pumpkin Patch/Facebook What better way to spend an October day than getting into the seasonal spirit at a pumpkin patch? This particular one is rated in the top 10 of the entire United States, and for good reason. Papa’s Pumpkin Patch has been delighting kids and adults of all ages with plenty of fun and memorable activities, as well as plenty of pumpkins to pick for your porch.
November - Lake Metigoshe
NDPRD/Flickr In the final days of fall, you should definitely visit Lake Metigoshe. This beautiful spot is nestled in the Turtle Mountains of northern North Dakota and is absolutely stunning when it’s surrounded by fall colors. Even under the snow, this place is a must-visit.
December - Dickens Village Festival
Dickens Village Festival/Facebook All throughout the weekends of December, one special town in North Dakota becomes the Christmas Capital of North Dakota. The whole town themes itself after London of yesteryear to fit the famous Charles Dickens play, including having telephone booths, people in character, and a double-decker bus.
What are some of your plans for North Dakota day trips in the upcoming year? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
Bottineau Winter Park/Facebook
Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and tubing at one of North Dakota’s best winter parks. This spot has everything you need for an entire day’s worth of snowy fun with the whole family or a group of friends.
Bottineau Winter Park, Dalen, ND 58318, USA
NDPRD/Flickr
Enjoy the coziness of a luxurious yurt and beautiful, snowy landscapes outdoors at Fort Ransom State Park. They have year-round camping options, snowshoe rentals, cross-country skiing trails, and more. This place easily proves that it doesn’t have to be summer for camping - you can do it even in February.
Fort Ransom State Park, 5981 Walt Hjelle Pkwy, Fort Ransom, ND 58033, USA
North Dakota Winter Show/Facebook
This is the oldest and longest-running agricultural show in North Dakota, and it has been around since 1937 and held annually ever since. With an entire week of March filled full of live entertainment, vendors, competition, and more, this is one event you can’t miss.r
Winter Show Road Southwest, Winter Show Rd SW, Valley City, ND 58072, USA
Fort Stevenson State Park/Facebook
If you love maple syrup, then you’ll absolutely adore this annual event being held at one of North Dakota’s state parks. Learn how to tap real maple trees, enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, and - of course - eat tasty, fresh maple syrup over pancakes or turned into maple cotton candy. Discover all this event has to offer by reading about last year’s event.
Skyfest over Ft. Stevenson/Facebook
Each year in May, the skies over this historic fort fill with colorful kites for the annual SkyFest over Fort Stevenson. Bring your own kite and enjoy flying it next to Lake Sakakawea, or watch professional kite fliers soar their special kites. This multi-day event offers things for people of all ages and skill levels.
Jasperdo/Flickr
This place should be on everyone’s bucket list. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is absolutely spectacular, and one of the best times to visit it is early summer. When the prairie grasses are lush and green, wild animals like bison and horses roaming with their young by their side, and the weather near perfect, it sets up the best possible experience to see the badlands.
Red River Valley Fair/Facebook
Summertime is the time for fairs, and there are few better fairs in the midwest than Red River Valley Fair. Generally around a week long, this event has everything you love about fairs and more. Fun rides, amazing live entertainment, games, and everyone’s favorite fair foods, are just the beginning of all this fair has to offer.
Medora Musical/Tripadvisor
Though a tiny town with less than 200 residents, Medora, North Dakota draws in crowds of thousands every summer. Located in the southwest corner of North Dakota, this town is famous for its wild west theme, popular outdoor musical, great food, and access to history, natural wonders, and more.
Norsk Høstfest/Facebook
There is no bigger Scandinavian-themed festival in North America than this one. Held annually in Minot, it brings together people of Scandinavian heritage and those without to share culture from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Finland. Food, crafts, demonstrations, fun activities - and that’s just the beginning. Learn more by
Papa’s Pumpkin Patch/Facebook
What better way to spend an October day than getting into the seasonal spirit at a pumpkin patch? This particular one is rated in the top 10 of the entire United States, and for good reason. Papa’s Pumpkin Patch has been delighting kids and adults of all ages with plenty of fun and memorable activities, as well as plenty of pumpkins to pick for your porch.
In the final days of fall, you should definitely visit Lake Metigoshe. This beautiful spot is nestled in the Turtle Mountains of northern North Dakota and is absolutely stunning when it’s surrounded by fall colors. Even under the snow, this place is a must-visit.
Dickens Village Festival/Facebook
All throughout the weekends of December, one special town in North Dakota becomes the Christmas Capital of North Dakota. The whole town themes itself after London of yesteryear to fit the famous Charles Dickens play, including having telephone booths, people in character, and a double-decker bus.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Day Trips in North Dakota May 15, 2022 Tori Jane What are some unique things to do around North Dakota? North Dakota is a special place. It’s enchanting and beautiful, and it’s pretty hard to find somewhere that’s quite as beautiful as this state is. As a result, there are plenty of unique things to do around North Dakota that you’re sure to love. You can’t skip a visit to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, for example, which is more than 70,000 acres of truly incredible Badlands. It’s one of the most scenic places in North Dakota, and we are hopelessly obsessed. You can also visit some offbeat attractions in North Dakota, like the Fargo wood chipper – which is exactly what you think it is. There are 12 amazing state parks in North Dakota, and each of them are uniquely ours. Where are some of the best day trips near me? Craving a day trip in North Dakota to get away from it all? Look no further than destinations like some excellent historic spots like the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, which was once the site of incredible industriousness in the fur trade during the 1860s. You may also love the Scandinavian Heritage Park, and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center makes for a fascinating adventure through history. If you prefer nature and beautiful places in North Dakota, you’ll love spending a day (or longer) at places like Lake Sakakawea, or the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Hike the incredible – and lengthy – Maah Daah Hey Trail, or perhaps boat the day away at places like Devils Lake. What are the best getaway spots near me? North Dakota is not one of those places that is ever super crowded. Even its most popular National Park – Theodore Roosevelt National Park – sees less than one million visitors per year. That being said, it’s the perfect place for a wonderful getaway! Go camping at our amazing state parks, or head out to a lake or river for a camping adventure you’ll never forget. If you’ve never gone camping in North Dakota, you’ve never lived! Explore the city of Fargo, or the historic town of Medora.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Day Trips in North Dakota
May 15, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some unique things to do around North Dakota? North Dakota is a special place. It’s enchanting and beautiful, and it’s pretty hard to find somewhere that’s quite as beautiful as this state is. As a result, there are plenty of unique things to do around North Dakota that you’re sure to love. You can’t skip a visit to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, for example, which is more than 70,000 acres of truly incredible Badlands. It’s one of the most scenic places in North Dakota, and we are hopelessly obsessed. You can also visit some offbeat attractions in North Dakota, like the Fargo wood chipper – which is exactly what you think it is. There are 12 amazing state parks in North Dakota, and each of them are uniquely ours. Where are some of the best day trips near me? Craving a day trip in North Dakota to get away from it all? Look no further than destinations like some excellent historic spots like the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, which was once the site of incredible industriousness in the fur trade during the 1860s. You may also love the Scandinavian Heritage Park, and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center makes for a fascinating adventure through history. If you prefer nature and beautiful places in North Dakota, you’ll love spending a day (or longer) at places like Lake Sakakawea, or the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Hike the incredible – and lengthy – Maah Daah Hey Trail, or perhaps boat the day away at places like Devils Lake. What are the best getaway spots near me? North Dakota is not one of those places that is ever super crowded. Even its most popular National Park – Theodore Roosevelt National Park – sees less than one million visitors per year. That being said, it’s the perfect place for a wonderful getaway! Go camping at our amazing state parks, or head out to a lake or river for a camping adventure you’ll never forget. If you’ve never gone camping in North Dakota, you’ve never lived! Explore the city of Fargo, or the historic town of Medora.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
North Dakota is a special place. It’s enchanting and beautiful, and it’s pretty hard to find somewhere that’s quite as beautiful as this state is. As a result, there are plenty of unique things to do around North Dakota that you’re sure to love. You can’t skip a visit to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, for example, which is more than 70,000 acres of truly incredible Badlands. It’s one of the most scenic places in North Dakota, and we are hopelessly obsessed. You can also visit some offbeat attractions in North Dakota, like the Fargo wood chipper – which is exactly what you think it is. There are 12 amazing state parks in North Dakota, and each of them are uniquely ours.
Where are some of the best day trips near me?
Craving a day trip in North Dakota to get away from it all? Look no further than destinations like some excellent historic spots like the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, which was once the site of incredible industriousness in the fur trade during the 1860s. You may also love the Scandinavian Heritage Park, and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center makes for a fascinating adventure through history. If you prefer nature and beautiful places in North Dakota, you’ll love spending a day (or longer) at places like Lake Sakakawea, or the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Hike the incredible – and lengthy – Maah Daah Hey Trail, or perhaps boat the day away at places like Devils Lake.
What are the best getaway spots near me?
North Dakota is not one of those places that is ever super crowded. Even its most popular National Park – Theodore Roosevelt National Park – sees less than one million visitors per year. That being said, it’s the perfect place for a wonderful getaway! Go camping at our amazing state parks, or head out to a lake or river for a camping adventure you’ll never forget. If you’ve never gone camping in North Dakota, you’ve never lived! Explore the city of Fargo, or the historic town of Medora.
