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Nature|Parks & Gardens

This Spectacular North Dakota Gorge Is The Ultimate Summer Recreation Destination

Pembina Gorge in North Dakota offers a variety of outdoor activities and stunning natural beauty.

Updated Apr 28, 2023

Written by 

Leah

If you love being outdoors, surrounded by nature, with seemingly endless places to explore, then you’ll definitely enjoy a visit to one of the most beautiful places in North Dakota – Pembina Gorge. Not only easy on the eyes, but the gorge is an outdoor recreation paradise for all sorts of activities. Whether you just want to take a casual stroll or jump on an ATV and hit the trails, head to this idyllic gorge, otherwise known as one of the most beautiful natural wonders in North Dakota.

One of the most beautiful places in North Dakota is the spectacular Pembina Gorge, and there is a state recreation area within it that has everything you need for a perfect outing, especially during summer.

Sign for Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area against a blue sky with clouds and a green landscape in the background.
ShanOC/Tripadvisor

The gorge surrounds the Pembina River. It is full of trees, meadows, and wildlife. The Pembina Gorge Recreation Area encompasses 2,800 acres of it.

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A serene landscape featuring a calm pond surrounded by lush greenery and trees under a partly cloudy sky.
NDPRD/Facebook

The recreation area has a wonderful road to just drive down and enjoy the views.

A winding gravel road leads through lush green hills under a clear blue sky.
NDPRD/Facebook

One of the most stunning natural wonders in North Dakota, the gorge is easy on the eyes, but that's not all. As far as outdoor recreation goes, the Pembina Gorge has a seemingly endless list. Kayaking and canoeing down the river are some of the popular activities.

Three kayakers paddle on a calm river beneath a red metal bridge, surrounded by greenery and rocky banks.
NDPRD/Facebook

Another common thing to do here is biking, either just casually along the trails or speeding along features put in by the park.

A mountain biker performs a trick on a wooden ramp in a forested area.
NDPRD/Facebook

Riding ATVs on the motorized vehicle trails or camping under the stars are two other options. Horseback riding or just strolling along the forest trails - the opportunities just go on!

A person riding an ATV on a dirt path through a scenic landscape with autumn foliage in the background.
NDPRD/Facebook

Pembina Gorge is just waiting to be explored, and the recreation area is loaded with plenty of fun. This is the ultimate outdoor destination in North Dakota!

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A serene river flows through lush greenery under a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
NDPRD/Facebook

So, what do you think? Are you ready to plan a visit to this GORGEous locale? For more information about the Pembina Gorge Recreation Area and all it has to offer, check out the North Dakota Parks and Recreation website.

Love river valleys like this? You're in luck! The state has another awesome park in a wooded river valley that is also among the most beautiful places in North Dakota.

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Nature|Parks & Gardens

With A Castle Playground And Beach, This Family-Friendly Park In North Dakota Is The Best Summer Day Trip

Published Jul 15, 2024

Written by 

Tori Jane

Let's be real for a moment: North Dakota is a state filled with family-friendly attractions that the entire fam will love, from museums and theatres to state parks, national parks, and playgrounds. And speaking of playgrounds, I've found this awesome family-family park in North Dakota that's perfect for a day trip. Known as the Universal Playground, this awesome attraction in Mandan, ND is sure to become your whole family's new favorite place. Of all the fun stuff to do in North Dakota in the summer, this one might be the absolute best for families of all sorts.

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Welcome to the Universal Playground, an amazing, totally inclusive experience for the whole family.

Colorful playground with various structures, slides, and climbing areas, set against a clear blue sky.
Management/TripAdvisor

The kids will love it, no matter what their physical abilities may or may not be; this amazing place was designed with everyone in mind.

Check out the available plaques and signage to see everything in action - it's truly unique, and the kids are going to love it.

A colorful sign at a playground showcasing various activities and inclusivity options for children.
Management/TripAdvisor

It's an assortment of visual, auditory, and tactile delights that are sure to please.

The playground floor is made of a soft (but firm), rubberized pour-in material. Should someone fall, the landing will be cushioned instead of, well... awful.

Colorful playground with red slides, climbing structures, and yellow shade canopies under a clear blue sky.
Aaron Jaros-Baro/Google Local

It's nice, especially when you consider that we grew up with super-hot sand or, in other cases, wood chips. Gotta love the modern improvements for today's kiddos!

The park is an amalgamation of amazingness, with a river and covered picnic space.

A modern playground structure with wavy climbing walls on a colorful rubber surface under a clear blue sky.
Amanda/Google Local

It's part modern artwork and all function, with numerous slides, climbing surfaces, sensory treats, educational bits, and lots more for the little ones to explore.

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Children with mobility aids or wheelchairs are more than welcome here, with an accommodating ramp and wide passages throughout the entire place.

A colorful playground with various structures and people enjoying the space on a sunny day.
Bismarck-Mandan Universal Playground/Facebook

There's a zipline with disc seats where kids can zoom across the way. A unique see-saw is also present, offering up four seats and a center handle so multiple children can all play at once. There's also a quiet dome - a respite from the fun, cluttered chaos that is a typical playground.

There are LOTS more amazing features, too - I just can't list 'em all in a short article!

A young child crawls on a colorful playground structure, smiling under a bright blue sky.
Dan Ruby/Google Local

Come out and explore this amazing family-friendly park in North Dakota and find out what's up!

For more information about this spectacular, family-friendly park in North Dakota, be sure to visit the official Mandan Parks website. Planning to visit Mandan and need a nice, affordable place to stay? No worries - check out all the options from our friends at ExtendedStay America!

Do you have any plans to visit this awesome family-friendly park in the Peace Garden State? Let me know!

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Nature|Parks & Gardens

The Only Japanese Garden In North Dakota Is A Best Kept Secret You’ll Want To Discover

The Japanese Gardens in Grand Forks, ND, is a unique and beautiful space gifted by its sister city, Awano Town, Japan.

Updated Apr 30, 2024

Written by 

Leah

Did you know that Grand Forks, North Dakota, has a sister city in Japan? Thanks to our sister city, we now have the only Japanese garden in the whole state. Visit Sertoma Park, and see the neat things sent all the way over from Japan, and you’ll find it’s one of ND’s hidden gems. The Japanese Gardens in Grand Forks, ND is one of our favorite places to explore and could very well be one of the best gardens in North Dakota.

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When you visit the Sertoma Park in Grand Forks, North Dakota, you can enjoy not only the playground, trails, and sights of the park but a beautiful Japanese garden as well.

A red archway labeled "Sertoma Park" stands at the entrance of a green park with trees and a pathway.
ShanOC/Tripadvisor

The garden is a gift and symbol of Grand Forks' sister city, Awano Town, Japan. The large black stone gives information about this partnership.

A stone lantern in a park, with a plaque about its significance, surrounded by autumn foliage and a pond.
ShanOC/Tripadvisor

Awano Town sent Grand Forks these beautiful, ornate stone lanterns that decorate the garden. They bring a piece of Japan all the way to North Dakota.

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ShanOC/Tripadvisor

Along with the stone lanterns, there are also cairns and other little details to the garden that make it special.

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ShanOC/Tripadvisor

A quiet walk through the garden and park might be just what you need to relax and clear your mind. Walk over the creek that's part of the park on a footbridge and enjoy watching the ducks and other creatures that call it home.

A wooden bridge arches over a path surrounded by colorful autumn foliage under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.
ShanOC/Tripadvisor

Depending on what time of the year you visit, you might also be treated to the sight of beautiful, bright pink blossoms on some of the trees. How gorgeous!

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ShanOC/Tripadvisor

Japanese Gardens in Grand Forks is a special part of North Dakota and having it be from an actual Japanese city makes it all the more fascinating and beautiful. It's worth a visit even if just for a quiet stroll in the park.

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A serene landscape featuring a pond, green grass, rocks, and trees under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
ShanOC/Tripadvisor

Find more information on these Japanese gardens in Grand Forks, ND, visit the Grand Forks Park District website.

You can find a little piece of Japan here in Grand Forks, but did you know that you can also find a little piece of Scandinavia, too? Discover more by reading our article about this architectural masterpiece in North Dakota.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/north-dakota/gol-stave-church-nd/

Also, if you’re searching for more treasures in our state, check out this tour of Teddy Roosevelt National Park that reveals several hidden gems inside the park.

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