5 Small Towns to Add to Your North Dakota Bucket List
Whether visiting for a weekend or planning a move, go off the beaten path in these quaint North Dakota cities.
Across the state of North Dakota, small towns punch above their weight when it comes to living, working and playing. These hidden gems offer room to spread out, plenty of outdoor recreation and a community-minded feel where you can get to know your neighbors. Read on for five spots to add to your North Dakota bucket list, whether you’re looking to be a tourist or a new resident.
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1. Mandan, North Dakota
Conveniently located near Bismarck, but a city with its own flair is the cozy community of Mandan. The city boasts access to beautiful parks like Fort Abraham Lincoln and plenty of ways to get outside and explore. This quaint city with an adorable downtown is the perfect place to raise a family. It has a plethora of local events in every season, including one of the longest-running annual rodeos and an outdoor holiday lights event that’s worth braving the cold!
2. Watford City, North Dakota
In Western North Dakota, Watford City is at the epicenter of the state’s energy boom and the northern gateway to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The North Unit of the park is one of the best-hidden secrets when it comes to national parks — meaning there’s more room for you to explore! Though the city’s population is less than 8,000, the average age of Watford City residents is 31, and its Hispanic population has grown more than 1,000% in the last decade.
3. Devils Lake, North Dakota
This eastern North Dakota town gets its name from the largest body of water in the state — it’s 160,000 acres! All of this waterfront real estate provides a range of outdoor fun opportunities and is a hotspot for anglers. With median home prices of around $150,000, high-speed internet and its own airport, Devils Lake has all the ingredients of an awesome place to live.
4. Valley City, North Dakota
This “City of Bridges” is located in the Sheyenne River Valley of Central North Dakota. You can see 13 different bridges in Valley City, each with its own unique architecture, including one of the highest and longest single-track railroad bridges in the U.S. From a cute downtown to its own planetarium and outdoor fun on the Sheyenne River, find it all here.
5. Wahpeton, North Dakota
Wahpeton is near the Minnesota state line and located in the southeast corner of North Dakota. In less than an hour’s drive, residents can get to Fargo, ND, meaning Wahpeton captures the best of both rural and more metropolitan life. The city is also home to the only golf course with half of the holes in one state and half in another. Its Chahinkapa Zoo features endangered southern white rhinoceroses. And, like all the cities on this list, you’ll find all the outdoor recreation opportunities you could want.
