North Dakota

Years ago, European settlers were some of the first visitors to North Dakota. They came with a different purpose, but they came – and stayed – laying the foundation for the great state that we call North Dakota.

They became the farmers in the fertile Red River Valley; the railroad workers who laid tracks across miles of rolling prairie; and the cowboys who ranched in the rugged Badlands of western North Dakota.

The hard work and dedication they put in to building our state is still evident in the things we consider important – our heritage, our citizens, our way of life and the celebration of those traits.

North Dakota Tourism invites you to visit us, to see what we have done to keep alive pioneering traditions and the spirit of the west.

Our North Dakota Heritage Center on the Capitol Grounds in Bismarck takes visitors from the first settlers to present day. The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan near Washburn detail the friendship that developed between the Corps of Discovery and its American Indian friends.

We still celebrate our diverse cultures with events like Norsk Hostfest at Minot and the United Tribes International Powwow at Bismarck.

Visit Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park near Mandan, and while in Mandan, make sure to take in Mandan Rodeo Days and its parade, fireworks and – yes – professional rodeo.

For a true taste of the Old West, head to Medora for the Pitchfork Fondue steak dinner and the Broadway-style Medora Musical that follows.

And no trip to Medora would be complete without a visit to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and perhaps a hike or bike ride on the legendary Maah Daah Hey Trail, which stretches nearly 100 miles to the north unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Watford City

Legends are made in North Dakota. Are you ready?