Could North Dakota be America's best-kept vacation secret? This underrated state offers incredible landscapes and cultural experiences without the crowds, making it an ideal destination for travellers seeking something different.
Vast Landscapes and Incredible Wilderness
North Dakota covers approximately 70,700 square miles - roughly the combined size of England and Scotland - yet has a population of only 780,000 people. This means visitors often feel they have the state's spectacular scenery entirely to themselves.
The spellbinding Badlands form a 190-mile long maze of cliffs, pinnacles and canyons in the state's far west. French fur traders originally named these formations "bad lands to travel through," but today they've become a bucket list destination with their striking layer-cake rock formations.
Within the Badlands lies Theodore Roosevelt National Park, a 110-square-mile wilderness that honours the "Conservation President." Roosevelt was so captivated by the area's "perfect freedom" that he bought a cattle ranch here in 1883. Visitors can spot free-roaming bison, elk, horses, prairie dogs and bald eagles during the day, then marvel at star-filled skies after dark.
Rich History and Cultural Heritage
North Dakota's history spans centuries, beginning with First Nations along the Missouri River, followed by fur traders, frontier soldiers, and Scandinavian, German and Ukrainian homesteaders who arrived in the late 1800s.
At Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, visitors can explore replica Mandan Native American earthlodges at On-a-Slant Village and reconstructed 1870s U.S. Army buildings, including Lt. Col. George Custer's house. The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn reveals how the explorers survived the winter of 1804-1805 with crucial help from Mandan and Hidatsa peoples.
The state's museum scene impresses with institutions like the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck, which features a Mars spacesuit and life-size Tyrannosaurus skeleton cast. The Badlands Dinosaur Museum in Dickinson displays 11 full-scale dinosaur skeletons, including a remarkably intact Triceratops skull.
Quirky Attractions and Modern Cities
North Dakota's roadside attractions provide perfect breaks during long drives. The Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site near Cooperstown offers a rare glimpse into America's Cold War nuclear defense network, complete with an underground launch control centre.
For something completely different, Jamestown features the World's Largest Buffalo - a 26-foot-tall, 60-ton concrete sculpture named Dakota Thunder. The Enchanted Highway near Gladstone showcases some of the world's largest roadside artworks, including giant grasshoppers and a towering tin family.
Contrary to expectations, North Dakota boasts vibrant cities with boutique hotels and contemporary art scenes. Fargo's Jasper Hotel offers Nordic-inspired accommodation, while Grand Forks features the characterful Olive Ann Hotel set in a restored historic bank.
Most travellers reach North Dakota through airports in Fargo, Bismarck or Minot. The Interstate 94 serves as the main east-west artery across the state, while Amtrak's Empire Builder provides limited rail service across northern North Dakota.
