7 Most Underrated Towns In North Dakota To Take A Trip To

While most of the nearly 22 million tourists who travel to North Dakota every year visit cities such as Bismarck and Fargo, as well as popular attractions like Theodore Roosevelt National Park, there is an increasing number who come in search of an altogether different experience. These curious travelers are on the lookout for an authentic slice of Americana that can typically only be found in the state's overlooked small towns.

Fortunately, North Dakota has no shortage of interesting yet often underrated communities that are worth a visit. From Minot to Medora and Walhalla to Valley City, take a look at seven of the most underrated towns in North Dakota to take a trip to.

Medora

Its location in western North Dakota near the I-94 makes Medora a terrific stop for road-trippers and day-trippers traveling from either Minnesota or Montana who are planning on exploring the Badlands. Its location beside the Theodore Roosevelt National Park certainly helps, with some of the most stunning landscapes in the Midwest on the doorstep of your accommodations (we recommend the Badlands Motel and the Rough Riders Inn as good places to lay your head!). Park highlights include its rugged, moonscape-like terrain and wildlife, including wild horses, bighorn sheep, and bison.

The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame is also worth a visit and celebrates the state's ranching and rodeo heritage, while Maltese Cross Cabin was once home to Theodore Roosevelt. Check out the Billings County Courthouse Museum and Sully Creek State Park, two other fun things to do in Medora.

Minot

Known as North Dakota's "Magic City" due to the fact the town reached a population of 5,000 in just a few months after the Great Northern Railway arrived in 1886, Minot's location close to the U.S. - Canada border makes it an ideal stop-over for those headed north to Saskatchewan or Manitoba. Popular points of interest include the Roosevelt Park Zoo and the Scandinavian Heritage Park, the latter providing a glimpse into the region's Scandinavian roots, including a replica of the Gol Stave Church in Oslo, Norway.

Other popular Minot attractions include the Dakota Territory Air Museum, with its extensive collection of aircraft and aviation-related artifacts, and the Magic City Discovery Center, an interactive science museum that engages children with over 150 educational activities. If you're in the area in July, try to time your visit to coincide with the North Dakota State Fair, with an overnight stay at Baymont by Wyndham Minot or Staybridge Suites Minot, an IHG Hotel.

Walhalla

Situated in the northeastern corner of the state, Walhalla is another good destination to visit if you're seeking a fun North Dakota road trip. Highlights include the Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area. Boasting 2,800 acres of rugged cliffs, wetlands, and forests, it's a big draw for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders, all here to explore its over 30 miles of trails. Winter sports enthusiasts should also pay a visit to the Frost Fire Park skiing area.

The town's location on North Dakota's only white-water river, Pembina River, makes it a popular spot for canoeing and kayaking. In-town sightseeing opportunities include the Gringas Trading Post, the oldest standing trading post in the state, with a stay at the nearby Forestwood Inn And C Store adding to the fun.

Valley City

Known as North Dakota's "City of Bridges," Valley City is a must-do for those seeking a fun alternative getaway destination. Located on the scenic Sheyenne River, its strategic importance as a trading place meant that numerous bridges were built down the decades to get goods and people over this wide natural barrier – 13 of them, in fact.

Of these, eight have been deemed of historic significance, most notably the spectacular High-Line Bridge. Built in 1908, this 3,860-foot-long bridge still carries trains to this day. The 1929 West City Park Bridge is also worth a photo or two. Here for a night or two? Consider booking a stay at GrandStay Hotel & Suites Valley City or the historic President's House B&B.

Devil's Lake

A mix of natural beauty and recreational activities makes Devil's Lake one of North Dakota's must-visit small towns. Named after the largest natural lake in the state, Devil's Lake is popular not just for its water-based activities but also for its scenic beauty. Covering an area of 120,000 acres of water and boasting an impressive 375 miles of shoreline, it's especially popular for water skiing, boating, and swimming. Campers and wildlife spotters should visit Grahams Island State Park, which is notable for its sandy beaches, shaded picnic areas, and world-class fishing tournaments.

Accommodation around Devil's Lake caters to a range of preferences. For outdoor enthusiasts, the park offers a mix of campsites as well as comfortable cabins. For a more luxurious stay, the town has several resorts like Lakeview Lodge, Bayview Resort, and Woodland Resort, each providing stunning views of the lake.

New Salem

While New Salem may not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking of tourist destinations in North Dakota, this quaint farming community is an up-and-coming star in the state's small-town tourism sector. It's here you'll find Salem Sue, the world's largest Holstein cow statue and a tribute to the area's rich dairy farming heritage.

You'll also want to visit the New Salem Historical Society / Custer Trail Museum. Here, you'll find a collection of artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of the town's development and the lives of its early settlers, with no less than ten historic buildings to explore. If you do stop over, the Arrowhead Inn offers good, affordable accommodations.

Bottineau

Bottineau's large animal statue rivals that of Salem Sue and is even more of curiosity. Visit this town near the picturesque Turtle Mountains, and you'll find yourself confronted by none other than Tommy Turtle, a huge rendition of the town's famous mascot sitting astride a snowmobile. This must-see attraction symbolizes the town's reputation as the "Gateway to the Turtle Mountains" and is reputedly among the state's most popular selfie spots.

In-town attractions consist of the historic Bottineau County Courthouse and the unique Mystical Horizons, a modern stone sculpture known as the "Stonehenge of the Prairies." Popular accommodation options are Turtle Mountain Inn and Cobblestone Inn & Suites – Bottineau. Other natural attractions in Bottineau include Lake Metigoshe State Park, famous for its clear lakes and rolling hills. Popular activities here include boating, fishing, and swimming in the summer snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter. The Bottineau Winter Park, also known as "Ski Mountain," is a popular destination for winter sports fans.

While many of the communities featured on this list of North Dakota small towns aren't well-known beyond the state's borders, each offers a unique taste of rural Americana that makes them wonderful places to visit. Whether you're visiting North Dakota for a weekend or an extended vacation – or are merely passing through on a road trip to somewhere else – these seven most underrated towns in North Dakota to take a trip to should be included on your travel itinerary.