Guide to a Road Trip Loop Through North Dakota from Minot

North Dakota is the place for dramatic scenery and outdoor adventures. Travel east from Minot for a North Dakota loop trip to Devils Lake in the east, the capital city of Bismarck to the south, the Badlands to the southwest, and Williston to the northwest.  

If you live in Minot at The Plaza Apartments, you are in the north-central part of the state with great road access to all of the state parks and other attractions. Start with a good road map to plan your trip, along with your vehicle's or smartphone's GPS and maps. A physical map allows you to better see the distance between areas and visualize the trip before you head out in a way that navigation apps can't quite replace.  

You may have a camper, van, or motorhome. You may decide to tow a boat or take camping equipment.  Take your fishing gear for the lakes and rivers. You may even choose to cruise on a motorcycle. However you travel, prepare to be blown away by the incredible sights North Dakota has to offer! 

Head East 

Head east on U.S. 2 to Devils Lake, the largest natural lake in the state. You can expect just under two hours of drive time if you don't stop along the way. Visit Grahams Island State Park, a heavily wooded area on the lakeshore. The park features a boat ramp along with large, shaded campsites and cabins. 

Hiking and swimming in the lake are popular during warm weather. Winter visitors can enjoy three miles of groomed cross-country ski trails. They can also explore the park on snowshoes and participate in ice fishing activities. The Sivert Thompson Activity Center is open all year at the lake.

Southwest to Bismarck 

Visit the state capital, Bismarck, for a stay in the city. Drive US 281 south to Jamestown and head west on Interstate 94. This trip is a bit longer, with about three hours on the road. You may need to plan breaks along the way. Bismarck is the second-largest city in the state, and there is so much to see there once you arrive! 

Visit the Art Deco State Capitol building, the North Dakota Heritage Center, and the State Museum. The Heritage Center offers a detailed history of the Plains Native Americans.  If you plan to stay for more than one day or want to stretch your legs after a long drive, take a hike on the Missouri River trail. 

You can enjoy golf at Hawtree Golf Club or the Mandan Municipal Golf Course across the river. Hike the trails at McDowell Dam Nature Park. Bismarck offers fine restaurants and hotels, making it possible to stay and dine in style during your trip.  

Cross the river to the town of Mandan and visit the Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park with its reconstructed Mandan village. Anglers can fish both the Missouri and Heart Rivers. 

From Bismarck, you can continue west on I-94 to the town of Medora, the gateway to the Badlands and the south entrance to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. You can also visit Rough Rider State Park. 

The town of Medora is home to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. From Medora, there are several routes north through the Badlands and the National Park to Williston, near the park's north entrance. 

North from Bismarck 

If you decide to pass on the National Park, you can take several routes north from Bismarck to any or all of the four state parks on Lake Sakakawea. Little Missouri State Park is located on a bluff in the Badlands overlooking the Little Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea near Kildeer, ND. This is a quiet area with 40 miles of trails through the Badlands. The park has horse trails and a primitive campsite, as well as regular campsites for tents and RVs. 

Lake Sakakawea State Park is located near Pick City on the south shore of the third-largest man-made reservoir in the country, with 368,000 acres of water. This is the place for sailing and windsurfing. The park offers a swim beach, hiking trails, and camping.  

The lake is home to walleye, northern pike, and Chinook salmon. The park is popular for ice fishing in the winter. Boat ramps, a marina, boat rentals, and a convenience store are all part of the park. This park is the Western Terminus of the North Country National Scenic Trail that stretches 4,800 miles through eight states to Vermont.  

Fort Stevenson State Park is located along the bluffs of the north shore of Lake Sakakawea, three miles south of Garrison. The park has special events throughout the year. The park's museum details the fort, constructed in the late 1800's as a supply depot for other military posts in the Dakota Territory. The park has two marinas, boat rentals, and campgrounds. 

Lewis and Clark State Park honors the intrepid explorers who passed this way in 1803-04. It is located just south of US2, near Epping, ND, on one of the upper bays of Lake Sakakawea. The terrain includes towering buttes and rolling hills with a mixed-grass prairie. A self-guided nature trail is available. 

The park has a swimming area. Kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and canoes can be rented. Fat tire bikes are also available for rent along with snowshoes for winter explorers. A boat launch and marina with slips are also available in season, although water levels influence access.  

Williston  

The town of Williston is located on US 2, also known as the Lewis and Clark Trail. It is less than a half-hour from Lewis and Clark State Park, making it a natural next stop on your trip.  

This town is known for its indoor Williston Area Recreation Center, open all year for swimming and fitness programs. It is also close to the Fort Union Trading Post, and Fort Buford State Historic Site. The Frontier Museum, Norseman Museum, and Buffalo Trails Museum can all offer fascinating information about local history. 

Other community attractions include the 202 Brix wine bar, an ice-skating rink, and a bowling alley with an arcade. Beyond the city limits, the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center, McLeod Lake, and Cut Bluff Overlook may all be worth a visit! 

Heading east on US2 for 122 miles will take you back to Minot.  

Come Home to The Plaza 

Road trips may be fun, but coming home is often one of the best moments of any vacation! When you live at The Plaza in Minot, you're a reasonable drive from many of the best attractions in the state. You're also central to everything Minot has to offer.  

Our community has one, two, or three-bedroom apartments with large closets, private patios/balconies, 9-foot ceilings, and well-equipped kitchens with convenient kitchen islands. A fitness center, on-site car wash, and heated underground parking all make living here comfortable and convenient. If you're interested in learning more, contact our team to schedule a tour and find your new home at The Plaza!