There are plenty of beautiful places hiding around the Peace Garden State and some are especially impressive, but there are definitely a select few places that are absolutely amazing. Whether they be feats of man or nature, some of these spots even rival the 7 wonders of the world. You'll want to check out these spectacular places some day for yourself!
1. Gunlogson State Nature Preserve
This was North Dakota's first state nature preserve. The man who founded it was so blown away by the gorgeous, unique forest - one that you can't find anywhere else in the state - that he knew it needed to be preserved. It's like walking through a jungle at times, and it is certainly something special. Rare plants and animals can also be found here, including one of the world's smallest plants that produce flowers.
2. High Line Bridge
This massive bridge is one of impressive design as well as historical importance. At one point it was the longest raised railroad bridge of its type in the entire world, spanning over the Sheyenne River valley in Valley City. During wartime, this bridge was exceptionally important for many reasons including supply lines, and would be guarded 24/7 by soldiers to ensure it was never captured or destroyed. The High Line Bridge is still used today. You have to see it in person to really take in how long it is!
3. Theodore Roosevelt National Park
The Theodore Roosevelt National Park is certainly notable for many reasons, other than just being breathtakingly gorgeous. The Little Missouri River cut deep canyons and low valleys through an area we know as the badlands. The canyons are sometimes referred to as "painted" due to the rainbow of colors created from the layers of rock they are made from. There is no other place in the world with a landscape quite like it and it is truly something to behold.
4. The Petrified Forest
Within the Theodore Roosevelt National Park itself is one of the world's largest petrified forests. A petrified forest is exactly as it sounds: a fossilized forest that was once standing during the age of the dinosaurs. You can see the tree stumps of prehistoric trees that are still standing today, mineralized into solid rock. The unique formations draws attention to hundreds of visitors to the park. It's like a fossil museum without glass cases, it is just out in the open!
5. Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex
When you think of the 7 Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramid of Giza may come to mind and certainly is one of the most well-known and popular wonders. North Dakota, surprisingly, has a sort of pyramid of its own (and no, it wasn't made for a hotel or tourist attraction). This unusual and almost creepy-looking pyramid structure is known as the Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex, and while it had an important original purpose, it was only in operation for a few days before being shut down and left to stand where it is near Nekoma, North Dakota. It was created as a place to detect and deter missiles of the Cold War. The pyramid itself is actually a huge radar. Today, the site is completely abandoned, but the lofty concrete pyramid remains - and this is only showing what is on the surface, beneath the ground there is a ton more hidden to this place.
6. Lake Sakakawea
Lake Sakakawea is one of the biggest man made lakes in the entire country, and definitely the biggest body of water in North Dakota. The huge lake was created by the Garrison Dam, placed on the Missouri River, that flooded and filled over 307,000 acres. This lake has more coastline than California, believe it or not!
7. Prairie Pothole Region
Despite having a name that doesn't sound very interesting or appealing, the Prairie Pothole Region is a unique and beautiful area of North Dakota that is also loved for having some of the best waterfowl hunting in the country. Thousands of birds flock to the hundreds of little pools, ponds, and lakes found across the region every year. The birds shown above are snow geese seen on their annual migration making a stop at the prairie potholes.
What do you consider North Dakota's most impressive wonders? We created a North Dakota Scenic Wonders Road Trip you can take to see a few of them for yourself!
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