North Dakota

The origin of the State of North Dakota was taken from that of the Dakota or Sioux Indian Tribe which translates to the word for ‘’friend.’’  Today North Dakota is known for its wide open plains, in addition to its agricultural contributions in plants such as soybeans that are used to process over 200 billion crayons each year.  Before North Dakota became a state, the Explorers William Clark and Meriwether Lewis, along with the Corps of Discovery, spent more time in the region than any other place on their journey.  The benefits of their explorations along with other pioneers of the old west have laid the ground work for over a dozen state parks.  These areas include laid back summer walks on trails, camping grounds, biking trails, and cross country skiing.

To find out more about each park in North Dakota you can visit the Department of Parks and Recreation site.

Beaver Lake – Napoleon, ND

Beaver Lake provides scenic views for leisurely walks. In the summer, the lake attracts visitors for boating, canoeing, water skiing and fishing.  The park has a colorful and historic background relating to the early settlers of Logan, McIntosh and Emmons counties.

Cross Ranch – Hensler, ND

Cross Ranch is located along seven miles of the last free-flowing, undeveloped stretches of the Missouri River, North Dakota's Cross Ranch Centennial State Park is rich in both cultural and natural history.  The park is purposely left primitive to preserve the land's natural beauty. The River Peoples Visitor Center has displays and information about the once mighty Missouri River.

Fort Abraham Lincoln - Mandan, ND

Fort Abraham Lincoln was once an important infantry and cavalry post. It was from this fort that Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and the Seventh cavalry rode out on their ill-fated expedition against the Sioux at the Little Big Horn. Portions of the military post, including the Custer House, have been reconstructed.

Fort Ransom – Fort Ransom, ND

Fort Ransom is managed as a natural and scenic area, and is located on one of North Dakota's officially designated Scenic Byways and Backways, the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway.  Canoeing is popular on the Sheyenne River during the summer, with canoe and kayak rentals available in the park.  Snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are the major winter activities.

Fort Stevenson – Garrison, ND

Fort Stevenson is known as the walleye capital of North Dakota. A favorite spot for sportsmen to experience the great fishing on the lake, it is home to the Governor's Cup Walleye Fishing Derby, as well as a variety of other fishing tournaments.

Grahams Island – Devils Lake, ND

Grahams Island is home to a 1,142-acre park system including Grahams Island State Park and a boat access area on the east side of the lake, named Black Tiger Bay State Recreation Area.  The lake features some of the best fishing in North Dakota, both summer and winter. Amenities at Grahams Island State Park include a boat ramp, bait shop, modern and primitive camping facilities and camping cabins.

Icelandic - Cavalier, ND

Icelandic offers visitors not only a wide array of recreational opportunities, but also glimpses of North Dakota's homesteading heritage and its natural beauty.  Boating, swimming and fishing for northern pike and other game fish are popular activities.

Lake Metigoshe - Bottineau, ND

Lake Metigoshe was constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1930s and is one of the most popular year-round vacation spots in North Dakota.  The park has both modern and primitive camping, as well as picnicking areas. There are group dormitories, kitchen and meeting facilities and year-round cabins available for rent.

Lake Sakakawea – Pick City, ND

Lake Sakakawea is one of the three largest man-made reservoirs in the nation. It has a surface area of about 368,000 acres and is 178 miles long, reaching to Williston ND.  Two large boat ramps serve the park for access to the best salmon fishing on the lake. The park hosts numerous fishing derbies throughout the summer.

Lewis and Clark – Williston, ND

Lewis and Clark is named for the Corps of Discovery explorers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. The expedition camped nearby on April 17, 1805, and an interpretive trail marker has been placed within the park to commemorate their historic journey through North Dakota.  Lake Sakakawea offers excellent fishing (Walleye, Sauger, and Northern Pike) and boating opportunities. The park also offers a swimming beach with washed sand.

Little Missouri – Killdeer, ND

Little Missouri offers backpacking and horseback riding on the park's over 47 miles of trails are popular activities. Horse corrals are available for groups bringing in their own horses and artesian wells are located within the park for horse watering purposes.

Sully Creek – Medora, ND

Sully Creek is just minutes away from the historic town of Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This seasonal park is open from April 1 to November 30.  Corrals are available for those bringing in their own horses. This primitive park also has a small campground with vault toilets. Horseback riders, mountain bikers and hikers have access to the 120-mile long Maah Daah Hey Trail.

Turtle River – Grand Forks, ND

Turtle River is located in a beautiful wooded valley. Constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the park offers year-round recreational activities, including camping, picnicking, fishing and trails for hiking, mountain biking and cross country skiing.