Renting an RV in North Dakota

While it’s primarily ranch and farmland, North Dakota is a beautiful state to take-in via RV. Acres upon acres of flatlands are beautiful to behold, but lest we forget about the Badlands in the western part of the state. North Dakota isn’t a big draw for tourists, and that’s exactly why you should give it, and some of its underappreciated beauty, a go.

An RV vacation is like nothing else, but some places can get pretty crowded. That takes away from some of the beauty and grandeur of the places you’re going to see and trying to enjoy. If you’d like to get away from it all, renting an RV in North Dakota might be one of the best vacation you’ll ever taken.

Why Renting an RV in North Dakota Is the Way to Go

Renting an RV in North Dakota gives you the unique opportunity to take in some of America’s natural northern beauty by road. This is especially true if you’re interested in getting away from urban life or from some of the country’s much busier state and national parks. With less tourism overall and a lower number of residents, North Dakota is prime real estate to have the stars all to yourself.
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Of course, there are other reasons to rent an RV in North Dakota. If you’re considering buying an RV (and you should), learning how to drive and operate one in a less busy, more remote area may make you feel more comfortable. Fewer busy campsites mean you don’t have to worry about angering the people in line behind you while you’re trying to back in or out.

Otherwise, renting an RV in North Dakota lets you hit the road almost immediately, and you don’t have to worry about the general upkeep and maintenance often associated with them.

10 Wide-Open Places to See in North Dakota in Your Rental RV

North Dakota is a big state, and while there are a certain few “must visit” places, you’ll want to fill up your list to really make your road trip worthwhile. We’ve put together a list of 10 places you don’t want to miss when you’re RVing in North Dakota.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Teddy Roosevelt famously hunted for bison in the Dakota territories when he was young. That trip helped shape much of the conservation work we still have today. Presently, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is the most popular tourist location in North Dakota. It’s located in the western part of the state—in the Badlands.

Aside from the gorgeous scenery, wildlife is dense in the area. American Bison are common as are mule deer, pronghorn, elk, and wild horses. The park has three separate locations, including two of Roosevelt’s personal ranches. More than 100 miles of hiking trails run you by a number of natural attractions.

Learn more about Theodore Roosevelt National Park

National Buffalo Museum

This is technically a museum dedicated to the American Bison (fun fact: buffalo don’t roam wild in North America). Nevertheless, it’s an astoundingly fun and educational day trip that will take you to a Frontier Village. The museum is a 6,000 square foot space inside a rustic log cabin and provides many learning opportunities about bison in the United States.

The museum includes lessons about why the bison nearly went extinct and how conservation efforts helped bring it back to a thriving population. They’re even considered to be the national animal of the United States. Plus, outside the museum, they maintain a live herd of between 30-35 bison at a time. It’s a great spot for a fun-filled, educational day.

Learn more about the National Buffalo Museum

The Pyramid of North Dakota

No pharaohs here. Only an extremely expensive, ill thought-out missile defense system that barely operated. In the 1960s, Stanley F. Mickelson Safeguard Complex was built to the tune of nearly $6 billion. There were several missile silos and an advanced, pyramid-shaped radar system to detect incoming Russian missiles and shoot them down.

The thing is, it was massively expensive, and concern over shooting-down potential nuclear warheads over Canada (a neighbor and ally) didn’t gain a lot of traction. So, the location was abandoned after only three days in use. Today it’s an empty military shell and the tunnels beneath it are flooded. Exploring is off limits, but visitors are welcome to take photographs of the giant pyramid from behind the fence.

Learn more about The Pyramid of North Dakota

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

The Great Plains of North Dakota were once home to thousands of Native Americans who settled near the Knife River (which runs near the Missouri River). The Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site preserves many archeological finds from the area, which was well known as a major agricultural and trading locale.

A museum onsite puts many archeological finds on display. Outside, there are several reconstructed locations, including a lodge, garden, and village site. Around the site are hiking trails that run between the Knife and Missouri rivers. And, if you’re the angling type, you can try your hand at fishing in these rivers as well.

Learn more about Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

5. North Dakota Heritage Center

Ever wonder what North Dakota was like roughly 600 million years ago? Well, if you did (and even if you didn’t), you can find out at the North Dakota Heritage Center and Museum. It’s the state’s largest museum and features four unique galleries.

Commonly called “The Smithsonian on the Plains,” its exhibits feature displays of ancient technology to modern engineering such as a 1950s soda shop and rare Native American Beadwork. The museum is also home to a mummified edmontosaurus and other dinosaur fossil molds.

Learn more about North Dakota Heritage Center

Scandinavian Heritage Park

Scandinavian culture played a pivotal role in the development of North Dakota and this park pays homage to all of them. The Scandinavian Heritage Park has replicas of buildings from all five Scandinavian countries: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. And we’re not talking bite-size replicas. These buildings are full-scale.

Visit a stabbur (a Norwegian storehouse), step inside the Gol Stave Church, and see a Swedish Dala Horse (a colorful statue standing 25 feet tall). Visit a statue of famed fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen (The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling). Coming in the fall? Make time for Norsk Høstfest—the largest Scandinavian festival in the country.

Learn more about Scandinavian Heritage Park

7. Lake Sakakawea

North Dakota is proudly home to the third-largest man-made lake in the United States: Lake Sakakawea. The lake is 178 miles long and covers more than 300,000 acres. The views are some of North Dakota’s best, and there’s a lot here that you might not expect to find on the Great Plains.

Sailing and windsurfing are both popular due to the strong winds that blow across the flat lands. Heard of the North Country National Scenic Trail? It runs from Vermont in the east to this lake in the west—more than 4,700 miles. It’s better known for its fishing, though. Walleye, northern pike, and Chinook salmon are all over the lake, as are camping areas so you can post up in your RV and enjoy the scenery. 

Learn more about Lake Sakakawea

Maah Daah Hey Trail

Maah Daah Hey is a Mandan word that translates loosely to, “thing that will exist for a while.” And it will—long after you’ve done your time on it. The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a 144-mile non-motorized track leading through the Badlands of North Dakota. So, you won’t be able to take your RV on it, but you’ll be able to spend some time hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding.

It’s rugged and challenging in a lot of places, but other times find easier slopes. If you’d rather, you can see certain attractions along the way instead of hiking. These include the China Wall, Ice Caves, or Devils Pass. The trail also runs near Medorah, an “Old West” style town that makes a great stopover.

Learn more about Maah Daah Hey Trail

9. International Peace Garden

The United States has enjoyed a long and peaceful relationship with our neighbors to the north, and the International Peace Garden is a reflection of that relationship. Built on the border between Manitoba, Canada and North Dakota, the park has more than 150,000 flowers in bloom during the spring and summer.  

Aside from the planted flowers, there’s also plenty of natural beauty preserved in the park. Freshwater lakes, hiking trails, wildflowers, and waterfalls can all be found in the area. Don’t miss the working 13-foot floral tower clock—with up to 2,500 flowers on it at any given time. The Carillon Bell Tower chimes every 15 minutes to remind you to take a deep breath and let the peace of the area wash over you. Oh, and side note: you don’t need a passport to walk through the garden.

 

Learn more about International Peace Garden

10. Lake Metigoshe State Park

Lake Metigoshe sits right on the border of North Dakota and Canada. While Lake Metigoshe is quite large, there are many smaller lakes also within the park. Formerly the home to many indigenous Native Americans, the lake’s name translates roughly to “clearwater lake of the scrub oaks.”

On the lake you’ll find any number of fun recreational activities: swimming, canoeing, sailing, water skiing, and more. Speaking of, the Club de Skinautique water skiers practice and perform on the lake. The state park is also in the Turtle Mountains, and there are eight miles of good hiking found nearby. Campsites in the park also have electrical and water hookups.

Learn more about Lake Metigoshe State Park

Campgrounds and RV Parks in North Dakota

State parks, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and many public lands almost all encourage camping and bonding with the outdoors. While some camps are first-come first-served, others do take reservations. If you’re focused on staying in a certain area, it’s not a bad idea to check to see if they take reservations.

If you’re not able to camp in a specific area, there’s likely an adjoining state park, RV resort, or other facility that will gladly have you. These places are also likely to be close to the park or close to a nearby town—handy for stocking up.

Check out our Campground Guide to North Dakota and Good Sam list of campgrounds in North Dakota

Things to Note About Camping in North Dakota

Many state parks and Theodore Roosevelt National Park are open year-round, as are their campsites. That said, North Dakota’s winters can be rough, and snow can fall in heavy doses. With some campsites being difficult to reach or requiring drives on gravel and unmaintained roads, it’s recommended that you speak with a ranger before heading out to camp.

North Dakota doesn’t tend to get a lot of tourists, so in some instances, you may find yourself alone in an area. If possible, let others know where you are and when to expect to hear from you, just in case.

Dry Camping or Boondocking in North Dakota

Boondocking is a method of RVing where you camp overnight in your RV without any water or electric hookups. It’s a rather convenient option for getting away from busy camping sites while also enjoying nature.

You can legally camp on any public ground in North Dakota, and it’s even encouraged by the state. Two things to remember, though. First, before you plan to boondock, keep in mind that North Dakota’s parks aren’t always full, and you may not have any issue finding a spot far away from others. Second, remember that weather can get rough that far north. Boondocking is far more challenging in the winter, as you’re forced to rely on the water in your tank (which can freeze) and a generator for power (and therefore heat).

Check out our Boondocking Guide to North Dakota