North Dakota

9 Most Memorable Small Towns in North Dakota

Published

2 years ago

April 26, 2024

9 Most Memorable Small Towns in North Dakota

As part of the Great Plains region, North Dakota is characterized by broad prairies, steppe, temperate savanna, badlands, and farmlands. This terrain gives this state an edge, as it is home to fine dining and wineries, as well as a hotspot for outdoor adventurers.

The state is always bursting with life all year, from skiing down the mountains in winter to hiking up the mountains in summer. The skies are lit up by natural light, from the Northern lights to the stars shining bright from the Milky Way.

What’s there not to love about this midwestern state? Make long-lasting memories here. Get your travel bags ready as you journey to these memorable small towns in North Dakota for a life-changing experience.

Williston

Aerial view of Williston in the Bakken Oil Fields of North Dakota.

A town in North Dakota worth visiting is Williston. This city sits close to the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers. There are so many things to do in this oil-producing town that will leave you telling tales years after your adventure.

Enjoy unique exhibits at the James Memorial Art Center. Visit the Fort Buford, a historic landmark that served as the United States Army Post. It was also the location of the Sitting Bull’s surrender in 1881. Another significant area to look out for is the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, a partial reconstruction of one of upper Missouri’s most important fur trading posts between 1829 and 1867.

Go fishing on the largest man-made lake in North Dakota. Williston sits at the upper end of Lake Sakakawea, giving visitors and locals easy access to an unforgettable water experience.

Dickinson

The beautiful city of Dickinson has become one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States since the North Dakota Oil Boom. Beyond oil production, this town is a hub of activities from adrenaline-stimulating activities to a downtown area brought to life by the endless outdoor summer events and street fairs.

This town is considered a gateway to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, a brief stop in this area is worth every penny. Go back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the earth with a visit to the Badlands Dinosaur Museum. It is a part of the Dickinson Museum Center. This museum houses dinosaur skeletons, skulls, and other fossils. Don’t forget to take pictures with the complete Triceratops skull. Explore other areas of the Dickinson Museum Center, like the Joachim Regional Museum, Prairie Outpost Park, and the Pioneer Machinery Hall. Crown the day’s fun-filled activities with a taste of some of the finest wines from the wineries in town.

Mandan

Mandan was founded on the West side of the Upper Missouri River; it was named after the Mandan people. The Mandan people were a Native American tribe; learn more about these people and their way of life at the On-A-Slant Indian Village, a four-hundred-year-old village. On the site, you will see five reconstructed earth lodges.

The Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is an important stop in Mandan. Experience what it was like being a frontier soldier on a tour around General George Custer’s last home, central barracks, granary, commissary, and stable. For relaxation and recreation, go biking, swimming, and hiking at Harmon Lake.

Jamestown

This town might pass off as just another college town, but there is more to it than meets the eye. Jamestown is a town filled with adventure and inspiration, a perfect destination for creatives looking to rediscover themselves. A walk along the Louis L’Amour Walking Tour takes you to the places in town where the legendary writer Louis L’Amour got the inspiration for his novel.

The town is home to the Jamestown Reservoir, a 12-mile-long artificial lake. Have fun running on the sandy-white shore, fishing, and swimming, or you could sit back and enjoy the cool lake breeze. The major highlight in Jamestown is the statue of the largest buffalo in the world. If you love this, you should visit the National Buffalo Museum to learn more about the North American Bison.

Wahpeton

Beyond being home to the North Dakota State College of Science, it is the starting point of the Red River of the North. Wahpeton is a town worth visiting if you want to create unforgettable memories.

Start exploring this town from the Prairie Rose Carousel, a 1926 restored Spillman Carousel. There are only three operating in the United States. Ride on these handcrafted horses and create long-lasting memories. Your tour is not over; don’t leave without saying ‘Hello’ to the Wahpper, the largest catfish in the world.

If you are with kids, visit Chahinkapa Park for a fantastic time picnicking, swimming, and relaxing. You can also camp on the park grounds for an adventurous night.

Devils Lake

This North Dakota town is named after a nearby lake that has been able to snag a spot on the FishingBooker list of “Top 10 Best US Ice-fishing Destinations in 2024.” If you love fishing, pack your bags and fishing tools and hop on the next flight to Devils Lake.

Before embarking on a fishing spree, engage in activities to get your adrenaline pumping. Visit the White Horse Hill National Game Preserve to watch the different species of birds flying around; if you’re lucky, you might see a bison or two. Take long hikes along the hiking trails to enjoy the tranquillity of nature; don’t forget to take pictures to serve as a reminder of your time here.

Grahams Island State Park is located on Devils Lake, so with your fishing gear and baits from the bait shops on the park, you’re sure to catch some Walleye for dinner.

Valley City

Yet another college town in North Dakota with more unique adventure than meets the eye. Valley City was named after its location in the valley of the Sheyenne River and is popularly known as the “City of Bridges” because of its array of unique bridges over the Sheyenne River.

Start your historic tour of the bridges from the Rosebud Visitor Center. The most famous bridge on this tour is the Hi-Line Bridge, one of the longest and highest single-track railroad bridges in the United States. This bridge played an important role during the World War.

The next stop is the Medicine Wheel Park. The park is home to a replica of a Native American Solar Calendar, a Solar system model, Indian burial mounds, and walking trails. Head North to Lake Ashtabula for some fishing or kayaking action.

One memorable thing to do in Valley City is grab a cup of coffee from The Vault, an unmanned self-serve coffee shop. Don’t forget to get memorabilia from the gift section.

Beulah

Ever wondered what it took to keep the lights on? Then, a visit to Beulah should set you on the right path to discovering the secret behind your power supply. This small town is embedded in what is often referred to as the Powerbelt region of North Dakota.

Learn about the history of Mercer County and the early settlements of the Norwegian, Swedish, Irish, and Germans from Russia at the Mercer County Historical Society Museum. Moving from history, take a walk in the wild and visit the Pfennig Wildlife Museum. The museum has the most extensive collection of wildlife in North Dakota, with over 175 mounted species.

Relax and have fun at the Beulah Bay Campground, located on the south shore of Lake Sakakawea. Engage in varying water activities, from swimming to fishing.

Watford City

Steeped in history and culture is the beautiful town of Watford City, in the middle of Western North Dakota. This town’s terrain makes it a dream destination for outdoor adventurers.

Start your adventure at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Fifteen miles South of Watford City is the North Unit of the park. Put on your hiking boots or rent a mountain bike and explore the rugged area, watching varying wildlife species like bison, elks, whitetail deer, and golden eagles go about their day.

Loved Theodore Roosevelt National Park? Then, you will enjoy the Maah Daah Hey Trail. This 144-mile-long trail connects the North and South Units of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The trail got its name from the Mandan Tribes, and the name means “a land that will be around for a long time.”

Why North Dakota Should Be Your Next Destination

North Dakota should be at the top of your travel bucket list. Why? From the scenic drive through Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway, an alternative interstate route to the Northern lights dancing in the night sky. All these and more make for fun and long-lasting memories.

This list will set you on the right path. Pack your bags and get on the next flight heading to North Dakota for a life-changing experience.

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North Dakota

Challengers declare victory after ND Supreme Court rules against Legislature’s attempt to alter term limits

Published

4 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Press Room

Challengers declare victory after ND Supreme Court rules against Legislature’s attempt to alter term limits

BISMARCK — A constitutional ballot measure to amend the state’s term limits law as proposed by the Legislature will not appear on November’s ballot, the North Dakota Supreme Court ruled Thursday, siding with petitioners who argued the Legislature exceeded its authority and violated the state constitution in proposing the changes.

“The people’s voice was heard,” Grand Forks County Commissioner Terry Bjerke said in reaction to the news.

Bjerke was a member of the sponsoring committee behind the successful 2022 effort to pass a term limits initiative, which amended the state constitution by capping legislative term limits to eight years in the House and eight years in the Senate. The amendment, which became article XV of the state constitution, also included a clause barring the Legislature from making constitutional changes to term limits.

During the 2025 session, however, lawmakers narrowly approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 4008, in which the legislature proposed Constitutional Measure 1, a ballot measure to amend the term limits language to allow legislators to decide in which chamber they want to serve their 16 years, and to repeal the clause limiting the legislative assembly’s authority to propose an amendment to alter or repeal term limits.

Bjerke and former Minot legislator Oley Larsen brought the lawsuit challenging the validity of the Legislature’s action in January, and the state Supreme Court

heard oral arguments in the case

this spring.

“Those term limits may only be altered by a measure proposed by the people rather than the Legislative Assembly. And yet a few years later, the Legislative Assembly is doing what they are prohibited from doing,” attorney Zachary Wallen argued on Bjerke and Larsen’s behalf.

Petitioner’s attorney Zachary Wallen, right, jots down notes for a rebuttal during a North Dakota Supreme Court hearing dealing with a term limits ballot measure on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Tanner Ecker / The Bismarck Tribune

The Legislature’s attorneys argued the clause prohibiting legislative proposals to alter the constitutional term limits language “infringes on our republican form of government” by “limiting the people’s ability to vote on amendments proposed by their elected officials.”

Justice Jon Jensen seemed skeptical of that argument during the April 2 hearing, questioning whether a second vote was appropriate.

“The public did speak on this. The public spoke on it when it passed the original constitutional amendment and they said, ‘Legislature, you don’t even get to propose a change.’ They have already spoken on it,” Jensen said. “You want a second shot, or a second bite at the apple, not a first one, a second.”

In Thursday’s ruling, all five justices sided with Bjerke and Larsen.

“We … conclude the Legislative Assembly’s adoption of S.C.R. 4008 violated N.D. Const. art. XV … and declare S.C.R. 4008 and Constitutional Measure 1 void … We enjoin the Secretary of State from placing Constitutional Measure 1 on the November 2026 general election ballot,” the ruling said.

Bjerke thanked the legal team that worked on behalf of their lawsuit, and said he was grateful the court reached the conclusion it did.

“I’m thrilled that what the people voted on and approved has been validated,” Bjerke said.

He added that the Legislature had “multiple opportunities” to address term limits prior to 2022’s initiated measure and chose not to, and gave a nod to the country’s coming milestone and the process by which voters expressed their support for term limits.

“We’ve lasted 250 years,” Bjerke said. “I have two words for those elected leaders who think they aren’t: everyone’s replaceable.”

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North Dakota

Fargo woman convicted in North Dakota fraud case now faces charges in Minnesota: A deeper dive

Published

14 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Press Room

Fargo woman convicted in North Dakota fraud case now faces charges in Minnesota: A deeper dive

FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – A North Dakota woman who was sentenced to 180 days in jail in Cass County for defrauding healthcare providers and Medicaid programs is now facing additional fraud charges in Minnesota.

Christine Marie Pryor, 55, pleaded guilty in November 2024 to theft by deception involving more than $50,000. She was sentenced to first serve 180 days with a 3-year sentence suspended. She received credit for 44 days already served.

Pryor was ordered to pay $82,584.78 in restitution to Southeast Human Services in Fargo, where she worked between 2018 and 2019.

How the scheme unfolded

According to court documents, Pryor worked at multiple healthcare facilities in North Dakota and Minnesota between 2018 and 2023, using the identities and credentials of three licensed professionals without their knowledge. She submitted fraudulent Capella University diplomas and transcripts to gain employment.

Investigators say Pryor admitted she searched state licensing websites for therapists who shared her first name, then used those therapists’ last names and license numbers when applying for jobs.

At Southeast Human Services, where she worked as a Licensed Addiction Counselor, Pryor earned $55,584.82 while providing therapy services to approximately 150 patients. She also opened her own counseling center, NIAM Brain Injury Center, in Fargo between 2020 and 2021, and worked at The Lotus Center in Moorhead, Minnesota, from 2021 to 2023.

Court documents say the three licensed professionals whose identities were used told investigators they had no knowledge of Pryor’s actions and did not give her permission to use their information.

Two additional charges against Pryor in North Dakota, unauthorized use of personal identifying information, were dismissed on motion of the state.

Additional charges in Minnesota

Pryor is also facing charges in Minnesota. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced on Tuesday charges against Pryor in Clay County District Court for six theft offenses and six identity theft offenses related to defrauding Minnesota’s Medicaid program of more than $150,000.

According to the Minnesota complaint, Pryor claimed to provide psychotherapy and alcohol and drug counseling services to Medicaid recipients despite having no license or credentials to do so. Prosecutors allege she used the credentials and identities of three licensed professionals while claiming to provide Medicaid-funded services to 169 clients.

The Minnesota charges were filed as part of National Health Care Fraud Takedown Day, a joint effort involving the Department of Justice and more than 40 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units.

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North Dakota

NCAA Set to Change Unpopular Football Rule Just in Time for North Dakota State’s FBS Jump

Published

1 day ago

June 24, 2026

Press Room

NCAA Set to Change Unpopular Football Rule Just in Time for North Dakota State’s FBS Jump

North Dakota State playing in the FCS playoffs and College Football Playoff in back-to-back years? It’s likelier than you think.

That’s because on Wednesday, according to a report from Ross Dellenger of Yahoo! Sports, the NCAA Division I cabinet voted to repeal a rule that effectively barred teams transitioning from FCS to FBS from playing in postseason games in their first FBS seasons. The Bison are making that move along with Sacramento State in 2026.

The reported change has been a long time coming; the rule has hampered teams from immediate bowl eligibility for decades. Its good intentions of dissuading teams from rashly making the FCS-to-FBS leap have been rendered obsolete in recent years by the fact that programs generally arrive in FBS more prepared than ever before.

Consider the number of new FBS teams that have had to work within the provision in the past decade alone

Curt Cignetti’s James Madison program was impacted by the rule preventing teams transitioning up from FCS to play in the FBS postseason. | David Yeazell-Imagn Images

That list includes: Liberty (home for the holidays at 6–6 in 2018), James Madison (8–3 in 2022 under coach Curt Cignetti, and barely able to play in a bowl at 11–1 in ’23 due to a lack of bowl-eligible teams), Jacksonville State (8–4 in ’23 before backing in like the Dukes), Missouri State (7–5 in 2025, also backed in) and Delaware (6–6 in ’25, ditto).

James Madison in particular became a cause célèbre in ’23 because it started the season 10-0, climbing as high as No. 18 in the AP Poll in mid-November. Then-Virginia attorney general Jason Miyares bandied about suing the NCAA before the Dukes lost 26–23 to Appalachian State, an event that caused the program to back off and accept a bid to play Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl. James Madison lost that game 31–21, by which time Cignetti had left for Indiana.

There was a time when the FCS-to-FBS jump was an imposing one, and the NCAA did not want to incentivize making it lightly—not even a proud Florida A&M program could make a mid-2000s attempt at a jump stick. However, the Flames, Dukes and other teams have shown it’s not so great a climb for programs with the right resources and management.

Now the Bison and the Hornets stand to benefit.

How far can North Dakota State and Sacramento State go in the near term?

The Bison opened 12–0 last year before a shock loss to Illinois State in the FCS playoffs’ second round, so that question may answer itself. North Dakota State does not play a single Power 4 team—a potential strength-of-schedule albatross if it has designs on really surging. A potential roadblock: the fact that the Bison have to visit the Mountain West’s two favorites, UNLV (Oct. 10) and New Mexico (Oct. 24).

It’s a different story for the Hornets, a 7–5 squad a year ago whose move to the FBS is widely seen as a gamble on their growth potential. Sacramento State also does not play a major-conference team, but has a breakneck travel schedule ahead of it—the Hornets will visit Ypsilanti, Mich.; Bowling Green, Ohio; Muncie, Ind.; Mount Pleasant, Mich. and Honolulu. Combine that with a first-year coach—Oakland native and ex-MC Hammer choreographer Alonzo Carter—and it could be a long FBS debut in California’s capital.