Discover affordable outdoor adventures in North Dakota

Scenic. Relaxing. Affordable. Uncrowded. North Dakota is everything you’d want in a vacation.

Explore the rugged and uncrowded Theodore Roosevelt National Park. These colorful Badlands feature buttes and canyons filled with herds of bison and wild horses. Visit all three units: the largest and most popular south unit, the rugged north unit and the secluded Elkhorn Ranch unit where Roosevelt lived during his time in the West.

Near the park, visit the old west town of Medora with its nationally ranked Bully Pulpit Golf Course and the Medora Musical, performed in an outdoor amphitheater in a spectacular Badlands setting. Or visit Watford City with its one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants.

There are countless ways to enjoy outdoor recreation in North Dakota. You’ll find state parks and recreation areas, national grasslands and more national wildlife refuges than any other state. See elk, bison and a sweeping view as you hike White Horse Hill National Game Preserve on Devils Lake. Or find a different kind of kayaking experience through the western landscapes surrounding the Missouri River, Yellowstone River and scenic Little Missouri River.

If you’re a hiking or mountain biking enthusiast, check out our Maah Daah Hey Trail — 144 miles of single track near the amazing scenery of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Recently named as the Best Hidden Gem in the U.S. by the 2022 Bicycling Travel Awards. Or try the North Country National Scenic Trail winding through eastern and central North Dakota's prairie hilltops, wooded river valleys and nearby national wildlife refuges.

Visitors love us for all our FREE attractions and activities. Don't take our word for it: AAA says we're one of the most affordable vacation destinations in the nation. From the family favorite North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum in Bismarck to the Plains Art Museum in Fargo, our free attractions are always a hit. Don't miss fun summer events like food and music festivals, big-name entertainment, local breweries, and one-of-a-kind shopping and dining in our vibrant downtowns.

Instead of following the crowd, follow your curiosity to wide-open North Dakota. Once you experience our state, you may even want to live here!

For travel advice, comments, questions, or to block any future emails from us, email us at RULegendary@nd.gov, call 1-800-435-5663, or write to the North Dakota Tourism Division, 1600 E. Century Ave., Suite 6, P.O. Box 2057, Bismarck, ND 58502-2057.