Many celebrated figures have left their mark on North Dakota, and today explorers and fun-seekers can still discover what makes this state legendary. On these plains, Lewis and Clark, Sakakawea, George Custer, and Sitting Bull lead larger-than-life adventures. Now you and your pet can walk in their footsteps along the Lewis & Clark Trail, visit Custer's home at Fort Abraham Lincoln, and look upon the same rugged landscape in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. From the shores of Lake Sakakawea to the International Peace Garden, you'll find breathtaking scenery, inspiring local art, and exciting events throughout North Dakota.
Best Time To Visit
If you plan to enjoy the outdoors, summer is definitely the best time of year to visit North Dakota with your pet. From late May through October the state is at its finest, with daytime highs in the 80s and the prairies turning from bright green to golden yellow. Naturally, this is also the busiest season here, so popular attractions can be crowded by North Dakota standards. For a quieter experience and to find better deals on lodging, plan your trip during late spring or late fall.
Things Not To Miss
Explore the site where Sakakawea lived just before she, her husband, and their infant son joined the Lewis and Clark expedition at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site.
Camp along the shore and hit the trails at the spectacular Lake Sakakawea State Park.
Drive through the North and South Units at Theodore Roosevelt National Park for some lovely scenery and incredible wildlife viewing. Then catch the 120-mile, pet friendly Maah Daah Hey Trail and experience the landscape on foot.
Walk the parade grounds at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, where Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer was last stationed before he marched his troops west to the Battle of Little Bighorn.
Wander freely between the US and Canada on the pet friendly hiking trails or take an auto tour at the International Peace Garden, a 2,339-acre botanical garden celebrating the world's longest unfortified border.
Cruise along the Enchanted Highway, a 32-mile stretch of two-lane road with seven scrap metal sculptures scattered along the way. One of the sculptures "Geese in Flight," is the largest scrap metal sculpture in the world according to Guinness World Records.
