Miles of wide open spaces and beautiful scenery mean that North Dakota is perfect for anyone looking for adventure! Diverse state, local and national parks are waiting to be explored, whether it’s on the waterways travelled by early fur traders, steamboats and the Lewis and Clark Expedition, or on land across the expansive prairies and scenic river valleys which were home to the Native Americans of the Northern Plains. Dotted with Scenic Byways and Backways, you can get off the beaten path easily in North Dakota and discover the outdoors, along with numerous National Wildlife Refuges and the largest national grassland in the USA – Little Missouri National Grasslands.  

On arrival collect your car and stay two nights in Fargo.  

Downtown Fargo is home to the iconic Fargo Theatre along with dozens of trendy eateries, coffee shops, brew pubs, quirky boutiques and great nightlife. The Fargo Theatre is a vintage movie palace built in 1926 to showcase major silent films and vaudeville acts, and today serves as an art house theatre showing independent and foreign films as well as hosting concerts. 

Visit the Plains Art Museum, the largest art museum between Minneapolis and Seattle, featuring regional artists, a permanent collection and special exhibits, and then get outdoors on a 45-minute pontoon ride on the Red River where captain will tell about the history, geography and wildlife that live in and along the river.

Sports enthusiasts will love Scheels All Sports, with over 85 speciality shops under one roof, making it the ultimate destination for athletes, fans and outdoor lovers. The focal point of the Fargo store is the ‘Scheels Wheel’, the 45-foot, 12-car 1953 park-style Ferris wheel. 

Head north stopping in Grand Forks, where you can rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboard and head out on the beautiful Red River, or take a hike or nature trail in Turtle River State Park, a beautiful wooded valley along the Turtle River. 

Visit the Pembina State Museum and climb the seven-story viewing tour to see across to Canada! The Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area has become a top destination for adventure seekers. With steep valley cliffs towering over small, isolated prairies and pocketed wetlands surrounded by the largest continuous, undisturbed forest in North Dakota, its stunning beauty is simply unmatched. Over 30 miles of trails provide visitors with an exceptional outdoor experience, including hiking and kayaking. 

The Rendezvous Region Scenic Backway winds along the bends of the Pembina River you can enjoy the panorama of the Pembina Gorge stopping and various recreational, historical and scenic stops along the way. Discover more of the region’s history at Icelandic State Park, Fort Totten National Historic Site and Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site.

Stay two nights in Walhalla. 

As you head west today, stops at Dunseith to see the International Peace Garden – a symbol of peace between Canada and the United States which straddles the border between the two nations. It is a spectacular floral gardens with more than 150,000 annuals planted each year and encompassing 2,300 acres of nature’s beauty, two pristine freshwater lakes, scenic hiking and driving trails, wildflowers, waterfalls, and a large variety of North American birds and animals. 

Enjoy beautiful lakes, lush foliage, wildflowers and an abundance of wildlife along the Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway and stop at Lake Metigoshe State Park, nestled in the scenic Turtle Mountains on the shores of Lake Metigoshe. Kayak and canoe rentals are available and you can hike some of the park’s eight miles of trails. 

Stay one night in Bottineau.

A longer drive today, but plenty of places to stop on the way. Near Minot, you can try and spot the Sprague’s Pipit, a rare North American bird at the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, and take the 22 mile driving loop at J Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge, covering marshes, wooded river bottoms and sandhills. 

Crow Flies High Butte and State Recreation Area is a scenic overlook just west of New Town with views of Four Bears Bridge and Lake Sakakawea. During periods of low water, glimpses can be seen of the town of Sanish, now covered by Lake Sakakawea.

Break your journey at Lewis and Clark State Park, situated on one of the upper bays of Lake Sakakawea. The park features miles of shoreline with picturesque views of towering buttes and rolling hills, that provide a rugged backdrop for the park. Lewis and Clark State Park is home to the largest native mixed-grass prairie of any North Dakota State Park, and offers hiking, swimming, kayak, canoe and stand-up paddle board rentals.

Watford City is the gateway to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It's an area steeped in history, culture and scenic beauty, and today it is bustling with new things to see and do. Take the 14 Mile Scenic Drive into the North Unit's to Oxbow Overlook at the road's end. Nearby, as is the unique Fairview Lift Bridge and Cartwright Tunnel which stretches 1,320 feet across the Yellowstone River and has been turned into a walkway. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Stay two nights in Watford City.

A must for any visitor to North Dakota, this authentic Old West cow-town was founded in 1883 by the Marquis de Mores and named for his wife. Medora offers a musical extravaganza, trail rides, mountain biking, hiking, museums, gift shops and restaurants.

Medora is your base for visiting the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, named for the 26th President, memorialising his contribution to conservation. North Dakota Badlands provide the scenic backdrop to this park. The loop drive provides a view of buffalo, deer, elk, bighorn sheep, wild horses, mule deer and prairie dog towns. Trail ride, mountain bike or hike through the Badlands on the marked trails or the Maah Daah Hey Trail - 144 miles of non-motorised trail through some of the most scenic areas of the state. Get a uniquely western view of the rugged North Dakota Badlands on a horse trail ride, suitable for both novice and seasoned riders. 

Take a side trip and drive the Enchanted Highway – a 30-mile drive lined with giant metal sculptures, including the awe-inspiring Geese in Flight, as well as Tin Family, Fisherman's Dream, Teddy Rides Again, Pheasants on the Prairie and more. 

Stay two nights in Medora. 

Head east today to the state capital, Bismarck. Try outdoor adventures on the Missouri River, either paddling under your own steam or aboard the Lewis and Clark paddle-wheeler riverboat, hiking trails, bike rentals, horse-riding and golf courses. Paddle south on the Missouri River from Fort Lincoln to Kimball Bottom through peaceful scenery, and the shaded cottonwood forested riverbanks. This is a great place to spot bald eagles and there are sandbars where you can stop for a break. 

In nearby McKenzie you can saddle up at Black Leg Ranch and step back in time to a land where cowboys still roam the open range. Ride down 1800s wagon trails while driving cattle on land once hunted by Native Americans. 

Stay two nights in the Bismarck/Mandan area.

Located on the Sheyenne River, Valley City is home to 11 historic bridges, some of which date back as far as the 1890s, as well and unique shopping and dining opportunities. Take a tour of these celebrated arches, and then see what’s in store at the Medicine Wheel Park. The 30 acres of serene parkland feature the impressive medicine wheel solar calendar, native burial grounds, and even a perennial garden. The Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway offers some unbeatable views as it winds through the valley towards Fort Ransom State Park, a perfect spot to rent canoes or kayaks to enjoy the natural surroundings, or take the North Country National Scenic Trail to North Dakota’s only waterfall. 

Stay one night in Valley City.

Return to Fargo and drop-off your car in time to check-in for your flight.