North Dakota

North Dakota’s State Park Nestled In The Sheyenne River Valley Is A Hidden Gem For Camping And Fishing – Islands

Published

4 months ago

November 19, 2025

North Dakota’s State Park Nestled In The Sheyenne River Valley Is A Hidden Gem For Camping And Fishing – Islands

Randy Runtsch/Shutterstock

North Dakota is often stereotyped as a flyover state, but this Midwest gem has a lot to offer visitors. The North Dakota Badlands have been recognized by National Geographic as one of the best places in the world to travel to in 2026, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of the best national parks to spot wildlife. The landscapes here vary between prairie grasslands and river valleys. It’s also one of the best states for pristine views of the Northern Lights. But what about off-the-beaten-path gems? Fort Ransom State Park is one under-the-radar destination that’s well worth visiting in the Peace Garden State.

Covering 950 acres, Fort Ransom State Park is named after a military fort from the 1860s, which unfortunately no longer exists. The park is located in the Sheyenne River Valley, with forest and prairie landscapes to enjoy. It’s a haven for outdoor activities, like fishing, hiking, canoeing or kayaking, and camping. The park is also a great spot for wildlife, including birdwatching. You might even see deer or wild turkeys here.

What to do at Fort Ransom State Park

Birds floating on the water and trees silhouetted at sunrise in Fort Ransom State Park

Danita Delimont/Shutterstock

The best thing to do at Fort Ransom is to enjoy the great outdoors. Fishing is popular here — anglers can cast a line for walleye, northern pike, catfish, yellow perch, or smallmouth bass in the Sheyenne River. You can also canoe and kayak the river on the Sheyenne River Water Trail, with rentals available at the park headquarters.

There are 20 miles of trails to enjoy at Fort Ransom, so hikers will be spoiled for choice. The Little Twig Nature Trail is a short 0.9-mile route through woodlands and meadows, where you might see some of the park’s wildlife. The 9.4-mile Fort Ransom State Park Loop brings hikers through some of the park’s scenic landscapes. The North Country Scenic Trail, a 4,800-mile route between Vermont and North Dakota, passes through Fort Ransom, too. Visitors can walk the 2.2-mile segment. North Dakota may have been named the “Worst State to Hike in the U.S.” thanks to a study by EDGE Fall Protection (via The Travel), but there are some underrated, surprising trails in the state.

Visit in mid-July or the weekend after Labor Day for Sodbuster Days. This event showcases historic farming methods at Sunne Farm, an ode to the area’s pioneer history. Fort Ransom State Park is open year-round. In winter, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are fun activities. You can rent skis at the visitor center.

Planning your trip to Fort Ransom State Park

White covered wagon accommodation at Fort Ransom State Park

Randy Runtsch/Shutterstock

Fort Ransom State Park is perfect for a camping getaway, with a number of different sites and lodgings available. There are 16 standard campsites, which include electricity and water, and 10 primitive campsites, along with modern and primitive group campsites. Equestrians can book modern or primitive horse campsites, which include corral access.

If you’d rather not camp, there are several accommodation options at the state park. Spend the night in the Bjone House, a historic homestead property that was built in 1879, although today it has modern amenities, including a full kitchen. Bunker down in the Percheron Wagon, which looks like something straight out of Oregon Trail — but thankfully has a number of amenities like a microwave, refrigerator, air conditioning, and heating. Luxurious yurts are also available, which sleep up to six guests and feature a gas fireplace.

Fort Ransom State Park is about 1 hour and 20 minutes away from the state’s largest city, Fargo; Hector International Airport in Fargo is the closest major airport. You can take the pretty Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway to get to the park, which goes through farmlands, gentle hills, and charming small towns. As this is a rural area, it’s best to have your own vehicle.

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North Dakota

PHOTOS: Long Beach State vs. North Dakota State, Softball

Published

8 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

PHOTOS: Long Beach State vs. North Dakota State, Softball

The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2025-26 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.

Long Beach State hosted North Dakota State on March 10 where they suffered a 5-2 loss. Freshman Nina Sepulveda had two hits in the loss. Long Beach State will resume Big West play this weekend when they travel to UC Riverside for a three-game series starting Friday, March 13.

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North Dakota

Four area players land on North Dakota Division A all-state team

Published

20 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Four area players land on North Dakota Division A all-state team

GRAND FORKS — Four area athletes were selected to the North Dakota Division A all-state girls basketball team, which was released by the North Dakota High School Coaches Association on Tuesday.

The North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association will release all-state teams later this month.

Thompson’s Addison Sage led the way as a first team all-state pick, as well as receiving the division’s Outstanding Senior Athlete honor. Her coach, Jason Brend, was the Coach of the Year.

All-state second team choices from the area are Devils Lake junior Tylie Brodina, Four Winds-Minnewaukan sophomore Suri Gourd and Thompson senior Kya Hurst.

Sage, a 5-foot-6 guard, averaged 22.3 points per game, 3.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.2 steals per game. Sage has more than 1,900 career points and holds the Tommies’ all-time scoring record.

Brodina, a 5-8 guard, averaged 18.8 points and 2.6 steals per game. She shot 82 percent from the foul line and 32 percent from 3-point range.

Hurst, a 5-6 forward, averaged 16.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. She added 3.7 steals and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 39.5 percent from 3-point range. Hurst has scored more than 1,600 points and grabbed more than 840 rebounds in her career.

Gourd, a 5-8 guard, averaged 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 4.4 steals per game. Gourd has more than 1,600 career points in her career with two more seasons to play.

Gourd led Four Winds-Minnewaukan from a 5-17 record last season to a 16-8 mark this year.

Miller has covered sports at the Grand Forks Herald since 2004 and was the state sportswriter of the year in 2019 (NSMA, NDAPSSA), 2022 (NSMA, NDAPSSA), 2024 (NDAPSSA) and 2025 (NDAPSSA).

His primary beat is UND football but also reports on a variety of UND sports and local preps.

He can be reached at (701) 780-1121, tmiller@gfherald.com or on Twitter at @tommillergf.

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North Dakota

Annabelle Weber

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Funeral Mass for Annabelle Weber, 95, of Dickinson will be 10:00 AM, Thursday, March 12, 2026 at Queen of Peace Church with Msgr. Thomas Richter celebrating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, with Rosary and Vigil service taking place at 6:00 PM. Annabelle passed away Friday, March 6, 2026 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Annabelle S. Weber was born on December 8, 1930, in Killdeer, North Dakota, to Frank and Eva (Kowis) Schmalz. She grew up in Killdeer and graduated from Killdeer High School in 1947. At the age of 17, Annabelle began working at Zimbrich’s Department Store in Killdeer. She later moved to Dickinson, where she worked at S&L in retail sales and spent many years at Kessel’s Bridal Shop. While working at the Esquire Steak House, she met Gerald Weber, the love of her life. The couple was united in marriage on November 1, 1954, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dickinson, where they made their home and built their life together. Annabelle was a woman who loved staying busy and caring for her family and home. She enjoyed hunting and fishing, along with hobbies such as crafts, sewing, and gardening. She was well known for keeping an immaculate home and took great pride in caring for those around her. Faith was an important part of her life. She joined the Catholic Daughters in 1957 and was active in church circles, often helping with funeral dinners and parish gatherings. Annabelle’s greatest joy was her family. Annabelle is survived by her sons, Greg (Barbara) Weber of Grand Forks, Russ (Rhonda) Weber of Dickinson; daughter, Sharon (Tony) Allen of Andover, MN; nine grandchildren, Christi (Ryan), Tiffani (Tim), Shane (Kayla), Tonya (Adam), Samantha (Scott), Kevin, Tracey (Analisa), Stacie, Tyler; 15 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Eva Schmalz; husband, Gerald Weber; siblings, William (Evelyn) Schmalz, Elaine (John) Buresh, and Vernon (Dolores) Schmalz; and daughter-in-law, Coleen Weber (Krance). Remembrances and condolences can be shared at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com.

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