Homeowners in search of wide-open spaces and untouched prairie lands may look no further than the rolling fields of North Dakota. Despite holding one of the lowest population densities among all of the U.S. states, North Dakota offers plentiful opportunities for economic growth, entertainment, education, and quality of life. To top it off, the people are just wonderfully pleasant and lively as can be!
New home seekers are often attracted to the natural beauty and recreational opportunities of the region’s stunning parks. As you begin your search for the perfect place to settle down and create roots, consider the surrounding natural areas and opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment. Whether you plan on hiking every afternoon or camping once a month, you can find the perfect piece of nature to meet your heart’s desire in the Peace Garden State.
To get you started on your search, here are the top 10 state parks in North Dakota:
1. Fort Ransom State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Known for its heavily shaded and dense forests in the Sheyenne River Valley, Fort Ransom State Park is full of rich history and abundant opportunities. It is located 77 miles from Fargo and offers many day activities as well as lodging for those who wish to extend their stay. Visitors often enjoy camping, hiking, and horseback riding along the trails in the warm summertime sun. When winter returns, the same trails are perfectly suited for cross-country skiers to fly atop the fresh powder.
2. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
Known for being the oldest state park in North Dakota, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is a mere 12 miles from the fast-growing city of Bismarck. The park offers unique adventures for the whole family. Step into history at the Visitor Center Museum to learn about the Mandan Native Americans who once lived on the same grounds. Venturing through the old Fort McKeen will provide a glimpse into the experience of frontier soldiers through a living history tour. Aside from the rich cultural and historical opportunities, the park also boasts stunning views of the Heart and Missouri river bottoms as they weave through the abundant surrounding hillsides. Fishing, hiking, biking, and horseback riding are popular among visitors year-round.
3. Turtle River State Park
Google Rating: 4.5
Situated 20 miles outside of Grand Forks, Turtle River State Park is nestled in a serene, wooded valley along the winding path of the Turtle River. More than 12 miles of trails are perfect for hiking and mountain biking with secluded picnic areas and campsites along the way. In the winter, visitors thoroughly enjoy cross-country skiing and sledding through the beautiful scenery. The trout-stocked river is also a highlight for anglers of all ages and levels of experience.
4. Grahams Island State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
Roughly 100 miles from Grand Forks is a popular fishing spot known as Grahams Island State Park. The area is well-equipped for all anglers as it offers boat ramp access, a bait shop, and a fuel facility. Water skiing and other water sports are also popular on the lake. The park often hosts national and regional fishing tournaments throughout the year, making it an ideal spot for recreation as well as socializing and community building. Aside from its reputation for being one of the best parks for fishing in the nation, it also offers excellent modern camping and picnicking sites.
5. Lake Sakakawea State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
Visitors to Lake Sakakawea State Park enjoy stunning lake views and breathtaking glimpses of the bright stars from the large campgrounds. Located about 71 miles from Bismarck, Lake Sakakawea State Park resides on the south shore of the third-largest man-made reservoir in the country. Anglers, sailboaters, and windsurfers frequent the 368,000-acre lake stocked with chinook salmon, walleye, and northern pike. Spend a weekend making memories with the family by camping along the shores, hiking around the lakefront, and playing in the sun on the swim beach.
6. Lake Metigoshe State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
Another park that calls the Turtle Mountains home, Lake Metigoshe State Park is on the U.S./Canadian border, approximately 3 hours from Bismarck. Among North Dakotans, Lake Metigoshe is one of the top vacation spots in all seasons. Summers are ideal for canoeing and kayaking across the park’s small lakes or hiking along more than 12 miles of trails. The park also offers unique opportunities for wildlife watching and birding due to the vastly diverse ecosystems found within the park. In the winter, visitors enjoy cross-country skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. Snowmobile trails are a big attraction in the cold months as well.
7. Fort Stevenson State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
Opposite Lake Sakakawea State Park on the south shore, Fort Stevenson State Park is located on the north shore of the lake. Its craggy bluffs rest three miles south of Garrison, what some say is the “Walleye Capital” of the state, and offer breathtaking views of the sparkling lake and impressive shores. Though the park is named for the 1800s fort that once served as a supply depot, it is now known for being the perfect spot for a family vacation on a lake. Two marinas with ramp access to the water, as well as fish cleaning stations, make the park a perfect setup for anglers of all experience levels. Boats and gear rentals are available on park grounds for visitors.
8. Cross Ranch State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
Located in Center, North Dakota, Cross Ranch State Park incorporates some of the diminishing landscapes of untouched natural beauty. It includes stretches of the Missouri River and nearly 17 miles of trails that are open year-round to the public. In the winter, the trails can be ventured on cross-country skis for a smooth and scenic tour. Visitors also have the opportunity to observe incredible biodiversity in a 5,000-acre nature preserve containing mixed prairie grass, magnificent species of birds and land animals, river bottom forests, and even roaming bison. The river is stocked with a variety of fish that cater to visiting anglers. Camping options include tent, cabin, or yurt for those who wish to extend their stay.
9. Icelandic State Park
Google Rating: 4.6
In Cavalier, North Dakota, Icelandic State Park features incredible recreation with a stunning view of Lake Renwick. The 912-acre park is popular for boating, swimming, and fishing in the summer months as well as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. A three-mile trail system winds through Gunlogson Nature Preserve, a 200-acre natural area with dense woods along the Tongue River that is a protected home for many rare species of wildlife. Visitors can enjoy a day in the park swimming in the sun and picnicking in the shade under the oak trees or stay a little longer on one of the many open campsites, either primitive or modern.
10. Beaver Lake State Park
Google Rating: 4.6
Gently rolling prairie lands frame the beautiful scenery of a tranquil oasis in Beaver Lake State Park. The secluded sanctuary is situated in Wishek, North Dakota, about 90 miles from Bismarck. Visitors are welcome to camp in the park and experience a quiet escape from the stressors of everyday life. Popular activities include swimming, boating, and strolling along more than 5 miles of hiking and biking trails through the park to experience the incredible views of nature and wildlife.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Visitors per year: 551,304
Named after the president whose influence shaped much of today’s conservation policy regarding national parks, Theodore Roosevelt National Park encompasses three patches of awe-inspiring badlands in southwestern North Dakota. The park is located less than a mile from Medora and is open year-round. Ranger-led programs can help visitors fully experience the park and its natural beauty in landscape and species preservation. A trail system with hikes ranging from 0.2 miles to 19.4 miles is available for hikers of every skill level. A multitude of opportunities to explore and learn about rare animals and incredible ecosystems entice families to return to camp year after year to enjoy scenes of unspoiled natural beauty.
The Peace Garden State
Interested in moving to North Dakota? Learn more by viewing some of our other articles, including the safest cities and how to build a house in North Dakota. And when you’re ready to begin your next adventure in your North Dakota dream home, you can find new listings every day at NewHomeSource.
All parks have been ranked based on the criteria of popularity, distance from the closest major cities, violent crime, property crime, google ratings, and the number of google reviews.
Melanie Theriault is a writer, counselor, and lifelong learner. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Southwestern University, where she discovered her passion for fostering human connection through storytelling.
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