13 Top Places To Visit In North Dakota This Fall
North Dakota is absolutely stunning in the fall. As temperatures drop and days become shorter, the leaves on the trees start turning to vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red. The best time to peep North Dakota鈥檚 fall foliage is between late September and the end of October, when the colors are at their peak. That said, the ideal window of time to experience autumn in North Dakota may vary depending on what part of the state you鈥檙e in. Get inspired for your fall travels to North Dakota.
Fort Ransom State Park
Fort Ransom State Park is definitely worth visiting this autumn in North Dakota. This state park, which lies in the Sheyenne River Valley, is a natural and scenic area located along the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway. During the fall months, you can enjoy canoeing or kayaking in Lake Sakakawea or hiking part of the North Country National Scenic Trail, which runs through Fort Ransom State Park. This trail is one of the longest in the United States, spanning 4,800 miles across eight states. A few other popular trails in the park include the Ridgeline Nature Trail, the Firebreak Trail, and the Little Twig Nature Trail.
Grand Forks
Grand Forks is yet another wonderful destination to explore in North Dakota this fall. This lively city is a college town at heart due to the University of North Dakota campus. One of the many benefits of this is that fall means the return of football. You can catch a University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks football game at Memorial Stadium. The Cushman Classic is another fall football event that is not to be missed. However, this one takes place between high school football teams.
Other fall and Halloween-themed activities in Grand Forks include Nelson鈥檚 Pumpkin Patch, Haunted Woods, and the Valley Corn Maize. Meanwhile, adults can enjoy Oktoberfest celebrations in Frost Fire Park. The best places in Grand Forks for leaf peeping are Zavoral Memorial Park, which is within the city, and Turtle River State Park, which is roughly 25 minutes by car outside of Grand Forks.
International Peace Garden
The International Peace Garden is another fantastic place to witness fall foliage in North Dakota. The International Peace Garden is situated in the most northern part of the state. This garden is housed inside a 3.65-square-mile park that sits adjacent to the border crossing between Canada and the United States, or North Dakota and the province of Manitoba, more specifically.
During the fall months, the colors in the International Peace Garden are a sight to behold. For example, the perennial gardens are in full bloom in September and October, with leaves turning to shades of yellow, orange, and red. The garden also hosts a Fall Celebration Day & Dinner every year, which features family-friendly activities like bouncy castles, kite flying, and a buffet dinner at the Conservatory Atrium.
Cross Ranch State Park
Cross Ranch State Park is a wonderful destination to visit in North Dakota this autumn. Located on the banks of the Missouri River, this park has over 17 miles of trails ready to be explored. The trail system also allows you to access a 5,000-acre nature preserve adjacent to the park. This preserve features everything from mixed prairie grass and river bottom forests to woody draws and wild bison.
If you like fishing, you can find walleye, trout, catfish, salmon, pike, and bass in the park鈥檚 waters. Further, there are several accommodation options here, ranging from campsites (35 standard campsites and 6 group campsites) to yurts and cabins.
Garrison
Garrison is another North Dakota town that is a must-visit in the fall. The small town of just over 1,000 residents hosts a number of autumn鈥攁nd Halloween-themed events, like Oktober Family Fest in Fort Stevenson State Park and a Halloween Fun event hosted by the town that features a haunted house and downtown businesses trick-or-treating.
Speaking of Fort Stevenson State Park, it is also a wonderful place to experience the fall foliage that Garrison has to offer. Situated on a peninsula of Lake Sakakawea, there are miles of trails to enjoy a cozy fall walk. If you like fishing, you can also get out on the water here and take advantage of being in the 鈥淲alleye Capital鈥� of North Dakota.
Bismarck
Bismarck is the capital of North Dakota, and there is so much to do here in the fall. As the second largest city in the state, you can bet that there are a number of autumn events to enjoy. For example, at Papa鈥檚 Pumpkin Patch, you can pick out a pumpkin of your own and participate in a range of fall activities for visitors of all ages. You can also go leaf peeping at one of Bismarck鈥檚 local parks, such as Sertoma Park and Kiwanis Park.
When you鈥檙e ready to get indoors, don鈥檛 miss the Kirkwood Mall, the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Kids will also love exploring the animals of the Dakota Zoo.
Bottineau
Bottineau is the one place in North Dakota you have to visit this fall, especially if you plan to be in the northern part of the state close to the Canadian border.
Bottineau is nestled in the scenic Turtle Mountains, so you can bet that the foliage is gorgeous here in fall. There are a number of ways to enjoy this town, including stopping at Bottineau Winter Park, which is open year-round. Primarily a ski mountain, when there isn鈥檛 snow, they offer a range of outdoor activities like paddleboating, hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, and horseback riding. The ski hill also hosts the annual Fall Family Festival, featuring games, hay rides, and a hot dog bar.
Other attractions to visit while in Bottineau include Tommy the Turtle, a 30-foot-tall turtle riding a snowmobile, and Mystical Horizons, an astronomical attraction.
Medora
Medora is a charming, historic town in North Dakota鈥檚 Badlands region. Home to less than 200 people, it comes alive in the fall. Each October, it hosts the annual Wild West Fall Fest, which features trunk-or-treating, movies, carnival games, a craft fair, and spooky stories. Plus, Medora is right near the famous Maah Daah Hey Trail, which is 96 miles in length and connects the North and South Units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. There is no time more beautiful to walk on this path than during the fall months. Speaking of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Medora sits near the entrance to the South Unit, which makes it a great destination to visit before or after exploring the park.
Walhalla
In northeast North Dakota lies the town of Walhalla. One of the oldest settlements in the state, this town was once a trading post for Native Americans and early European settlers arriving in the area. Today, it is an outdoor enthusiast鈥檚 paradise. The town is located next to Pembina Gorge State Park, which offers horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, and off-roading during the summer and fall months. However, if you visit in autumn, you have the advantage of seeing the trees along the gorge turn hues of orange, red, and yellow.
Iceland State Park, which is roughly 20 minutes south of Walhalla by car, is also beautiful in the fall. It is a 912-acre park that offers opportunities for boating, swimming, and fishing. There is also a three-mile trail system in Gunlogson Nature Preserve, which is part of the park.
Chateau de Mores State Historic Site
Not far from the town of Medora lies the Chateau de Mores State Historic Site. At the heart of this site lies a historic home built by the Marquis de Mores in 1883. It was originally constructed to serve as a hunting lodge and summer home for the marquis鈥� family and friends.
Over the years, the home has been well preserved and is now part of a larger historical site that spans 128 acres. Open to the public, the historical site hosts a number of events throughout the year. During October, you can book a Chateau Lantern Tour, which is described as 鈥淎 Spooky Historical Adventure at Chateau de Mores State Historical Site.鈥� During the tour, the Chateau is lit only by lanterns, and you will hear eerie tales about the chateau鈥檚 former residents. If spooky Halloween events aren鈥檛 your thing, walking around de Mores Memorial Park, which is located on the property, is a lovely option in the fall.
Williston
Williston is a wonderful place to visit in North Dakota this fall. Visit the Cottonwood Forest Pumpkin Patch during September and October, which features mazes, pumpkins, and ziplines. The Williston Main Street Market also continues to run through the fall, which allows you to purchase locally grown produce and hand-made artisanal goods.
If you like enjoying nature during the fall, Williston is also a fantastic destination to do just that. It is the ideal time of year for walleye fishing, and there is even a fishing tournament called the Lewis and Clark Big 10 Showdown walleye tournament that takes place annually in October. Hunting season is also at its peak in the fall if you prefer to hunt pheasants, grouse, ducks, geese, and deer. You can also take advantage of the many hiking trails in Lewis and Clark State Park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is an absolute must if you鈥檙e visiting North Dakota this autumn. One of the most underrated national parks in the United States, it is located in the famous Badlands of North Dakota.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is made up of the South Unit and the North Unit. Both are beautiful, offering hiking trails, vibrant fall foliage, and the chance to spot wildlife in their natural habitat. For example, a walk through the park might allow you to see wild horses, deer, porcupines, eagles, rabbits, and bison.
You can choose to drive through the park, go on an independent hike, or go on a guided hike. Some of the most popular hikes in the park include the Caprock Coulee Loop, the Wind Canyon Trail, and the Painted Canyon Nature Trail.
Minot
Minot is one of the top places to visit in North Dakota in autumn. Why? Due to the number of fall activities available here. For example, Berry Acres Pumpkin Patch features a corn maze, hay rides, a fishing pond, laser tag, a mini golf course, and pumpkin cannons. You can also visit Angelic Gardens, where you can pick your own apples, purchase a locally grown pumpkin, and shop for homemade goods. They also offer wagon rides in the fall months.
If you want to go on a hike this fall, you can also do so in Minot. Oak Park is the ideal spot to experience the bright fall foliage that North Dakota is home to. It is 50 acres in size and is covered in oak and elm trees. However, you can also find fall leaves at the Outdoor Recreation Area, which is located just outside the town of Minot and consists of five miles of trails.
Are you ready to explore North Dakota this fall? You won鈥檛 be disappointed. All across the state, you will find family-friendly fall and Halloween-themed events, like Oktober Family Fest in Fort Stevenson State Park or the Cottonwood Forest Pumpkin Patch in Williston. Plus, there are tons of scenic destinations to view the leaves as they change colors, with some of the top spots being Fort Ransom State Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
