Where to See the Best Sunsets in North Dakota
If you love sunsets, North Dakota is the place to go. Its clean air, wide-open spaces and lack of tall buildings make fading sunbeams an evening highlight. Plus, the state’s outdoor scene provides a sense of calm that makes it easy for you to relax while watching the sun go down.
“For years, sunsets have been some of our audience’s favorite type of content and have become a very relatable way to celebrate North Dakota,” says Alicia Jolliffe.
As the social media strategist for the North Dakota Department of Commerce and ND Tourism, she’s constantly studying trends while looking at beautiful photos and videos.
“For someone who has never experienced North Dakota, it’s hard to put into words how peaceful the outdoors is,” she says. “The horizons are huge, and the prairies are quiet.”
Ahead, find out where to go in North Dakota to experience sunsets that will fill you with awe.
In This Article
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Many roads lead to this showstopper in the Badlands of western North Dakota. The park’s colorful tapestry of slowly eroding sedimentary rock is a striking contrast to the surrounding Great Plains. It’s dynamic in the light of day and even more dramatic as the sun sets.
“At Wind Canyon, you get a fantastic elevated, 180-degree view of the Little Missouri River,” Jolliffe says. “You’ll often see bison herds trudging through the water. It’s short and easily accessible. And since the path follows the canyon rim, people spread out. There’s not a bad seat in the house.”
Wind Canyon is in Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s South Unit. It’s about 75 miles south of another prime viewpoint for North Dakota sunsets.
“River Bend Overlook is definitely the most iconic view in the North Unit,” Jolliffe says. “The buttes are much steeper there. At this overlook, you feel like you’re on top of the world. I love scanning the valley below for bison, bighorn sheep and elk.”
Missouri River
Though landlocked, North Dakota has a surprising amount of water, and lakes and rivers provide the perfect backdrop for sunsets.
“My personal favorite is a sunset on the Missouri River,” Jolliffe says. “There’s a sandbar culture in Bismarck that involves small beaches along the river.”
There, locals bring grills and water toys, play games and listen to music.
“There’s nothing better than sitting with people you love while a bonfire crackles and a fireball of a sunset lights the sky,” she says.
If you’d prefer to take in the view without sand being part of the equation, head to a riverside restaurant or take a sunset cruise aboard the Lewis and Clark Riverboat.
Devils Lake
The state’s largest natural lake is known for walleye, northern pike and perch fishing.
“Since I love sunsets on the water, it’s probably no surprise that I think watching a sunset from a boat on Devils Lake is pretty great,” Jolliffe says. “End the night at Proz Lakeside at the Cove for a good meal.”
Jolliffe also suggests catching a sunset at White Horse Hill National Game Preserve, which is home to bison and elk herds.
“The best spot is at the top of White Horse Hill Overlook, where you can see forests, rolling hills and Devils Lake stretch for miles,” she says.
Lake Sakakawea
This is another excellent lake for water recreation. It’s one of the country’s largest reservoirs and serves as the western start of the 4,800-mile North Country National Scenic Trail, the longest in the National Trails System.
“Definitely check out Crow Flies High State Recreation Area as an epic sunset location on Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota,” Jolliffe says. “It’s in New Town and holds cultural value for the area’s tribes. You really get a feel for how massive the lake is when a sunset sparkles off the waves.”
Sunflower Fields
As a state with vast agricultural fields, North Dakota is in the breadbasket of America. It’s the nation’s top producer of sunflowers, and when they bloom, it’s an unforgettable show.
“Every late summer, there are thousands of acres of them,” Jolliffe says. “ND Tourism works with local producers to identify specific locations as well as bloom percentages so you can see them at their most beautiful. When you find a spot to look over these gigantic fields as the sun goes down, it’s one of the most vibrant, yellow sights ever.”
Metallic Masterpieces
Trains rolling across the prairie, oil pumps and river spans, like Valley City’s Hi-Line Railroad Bridge, become works of art when backlit by North Dakota’s blazing sunsets. In the western part of the state, several large metal sculptures are placed along the 32-mile Enchanted Highway, a collection of the world’s largest scrap metal sculptures.
Open Roads
Sometimes, the best way to view sunsets in North Dakota is to simply drive as the sun is going down.
“I absolutely love being on the highway,” Jolliffe says. “Watching landscapes slowly change and the sky turn different hues as you cruise is so therapeutic. You’ll often catch sights of deer, or in the southeastern part of the state, pronghorn sprinting through the prairies.”
This article was sponsored by the North Dakota Department of Commerce.