Since it is now officially December and a lot of us in North Dakota are seeing snow now, that means it is time to embrace the season and get out there! ND has quite a lot of things to do in the winter so the options are plentiful. A good amount of snow goes a long ways when it comes to activities! Here are 8 places in the state that have great opportunities for some snowy fun:
Editors Note: Pembina Gorge is closed for the 2022/2023 winter season. Feel free to check back with the Frost Fire website for updates about next year. Frost Fire is an amazing ski area in North Dakota right in the beautiful Pembina Gorge. Snowboarding and skiing are super popular here, but for pure fun for everyone, there is also tubing! For this upcoming winter, only the tubing is open while other parts of Frost Fire are being upgraded, so get ready to get out on the snow and have a blast tubing down the hills.
Another awesome skiing area in a different area of North Dakota is Huff Hills, located in Mandan. They have amazing skiing and snowboarding opportunities that will be open this season. You don't need to be in the Rocky Mountains for great skiing; you can find it right here. Visit the Huff Hills website for more information.
The scenic Cross Ranch State Park is absolutely stunning in the winter, and they even have a Winterfest to enjoy it with. Take a horse wagon ride and see the frosted sights of the park and take in your surroundings. There are also cross country skiing trails here to add to the winter in North Dakota fun. Check out the park's website for more information.
All the way from Minot to Bottineau and crisscrossing all over the region are some of the best snowmobiling trails in the state, known as the SnoTrails. If you love snowmobiling, then this is a place you'll want to head out to this winter. Even if you don't have a snowmobile, there are places to rent one to enjoy over 350 miles of trails that make up this system. Check out the SnoTrails website for more information.
The trails along the Turtle River are almost prettier in winter than any other time of the year and should not be missed. Try out snowshoeing on the snowshoe trails here, or cross country skiing, or simply just walking in the crisp air and enjoying the sights. Check out the Turtle River State Park website page for more information.
Devils Lake is a great summertime lake for all kinds of activities on the water, but those don't end as soon as the snow starts to fall. Once the ice is thick enough, fishers come right back to take advantage of some of the best ice fishing in all of North Dakota. Even if you aren't much of an ice fisher, the lake itself is beautiful to see and one of the best ways to enjoy winter in North Dakota. Check out the Devil’s Lake Tourism website for more information.
Out in Petersburg, North Dakota is a unique activity you can't find in many other places in the state: dog sledding! Prairie Isle keeps teams of happy, hard working dogs pulling sleds across the snow-covered plains, and you can try it out for yourself through their Wonders of Winter program. Be sure to check the Prairie Isle Dog Trekking website for the most up-to-date information.
Have you been to any of these winter wonderland spots? If so, which ones were your favorites? We’d love to see your photos and hear about your experiences. Are there any other spots you think should be added to this list?
There is tons to do this winter in North Dakota, so get your lists started! If you like festivals, check out these winter-season events that take place in the beautiful Black Hills!
Here’s a not-so-fun fact that blows our minds every time we remember it: North Dakota is somehow, someway, the least-visited state in the country. Yes, seriously – the Badlands are ever-so-lonely, but it makes for an amazing vacay destination for those not fond of crowds. What better time to come and explore North Dakota than in the fall? The days are getting shorter, the weather’s a little cooler, and fall colors are to die for. Check out all the best North Dakota fall activities to start with and go from there – you won’t regret it!
North Dakota Fall Foliage: Where To Go In North Dakota For Fall Foliage
Fall in North Dakota is a magical time, and the first thing that often comes to mind when thinking of it is something to the effect of where can I find the best fall colors in North Dakota near me? No matter where in the state you are, you can rest assured that you’ll find plentiful colors across the whole thing. The best time to visit for peak color is in mid-to-late October, when you’ll see an amazing array of crimsons, reds, oranges and golds. While you’re at it, you might want to check out these awesome places to see fall foliage in North Dakota:
Wow Factor: The views overlooking parts of this incredible state park are already incredible – but somehow, they manage to only get better when surrounded by fall colors!
Need To Know: The daily vehicle entrance fee is just $7, and an annual single permit is just $35.
Fort Ransom State Park is awesome at all times of year, but when it’s wrapped up in autumnal amazingness it’s tough to top. Every tree and shrub puts on a stunning show as the days get shorter and nights get chillier, making for a picturesque setting perfect for any nature lover to get the best of autumn firsthand. This one’s especially great for those who want to go camping – might as well wake up among the colors, right? We think yes.
Location: Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area, Walhalla, North Dakota
Wow Factor: Pembina Gorge is ALREADY one of North Dakota’s most amazing natural wonders – now saturate it in fall colors and watch the amazingness multiply.
Need To Know: General admission is $8. Season passes are $25 per person, or $100 for a family of up to two parents and two children. Admission on Thursdays is just $4 per person, so plan accordingly!
Pembina Gorge is one of the most awesome places in the entire state, especially for nature lovers. To say something like “it’s outrageously scenic” is to understate things a smidge, we think, and exploring it firsthand is always the best way to see for yourself. In the fall, particularly mid-October, the colors are in full swing – get out and fall in love with this beautiful state all over again.
Wow Factor: To say the fall colors at Turtle Mountain are jaw-dropping is to understate things a smidge. This entire region is outrageously beautiful, with shades of red and gold starting to show as early as late September. By late October, autumn has reached its prime, and the colors are as amazing as they’ll ever be.
Need To Know: It might be autumn, but be sure to pack plenty of water if you plan on hiking. Peak color is typically in or around mid-October. You’ll want to bring the camera for this one!
advertisement
Did you know that the Turtle Mountains are widely considered to be one of the most beautiful parts of our amazing state? We’re inclined to agree; it’s paradise year-round, but in the fall, it’s especially incredible. Surround yourself with gorgeous color day after day ‘til it’s all over – and don’t worry, you know it’ll all be back ‘round this time next year. Enjoy!
Best Pumpkin Patches In North Dakota
Ask anyone what kind of activities they envision fall being filled with, and you bet that more than a few of ‘em will say the good old-fashioned pumpkin patch. Well, being a farming-rich state, North Dakota is an AMAZING place for a pumpkin patch, and we’ve got plenty. It’s tough to decide which ones are the best, but here are three truly fantastic ones the whole family will absolutely adore:
Wow Factor: This incredible pumpkin patch is routinely called one of the Top 10 Best in the nation by the Travel Channel, and it’s worthy of driving from anywhere in the state to experience.
Need To Know: General admission is $8. Season passes are $25 per person or $100 for a family of up to two parents and two children. Admission on Thursdays is just $4 per person, so plan accordingly!
Of all the best pumpkin patches in North Dakota, this one’s THE one – the one that seems to get all the praise and accolades. And there’s good reason for it: this amazing pumpkin patch has routinely earned the attention of the Travel Channel, and it’s easily one of our state’s most famous fall festivities. We recommend a season pass so you can come back over and over ‘til the season’s through!
Wow Factor: With all the pumpkins you could ever hope for on top of family-friendly fun like a huge corn maze, face-painting, a petting zoo, slides-n-rides, and SO much more, Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch is an absolute must-do.
Need To Know: General admission is $15 per person; children three and under are free. The 2024 season runs from September 7th through October 27th.
advertisement
Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch is one of our favorite autumn attractions in North Dakota, and for great reason: it’s more than “just” pumpkins. Open seven days a week, this fun-filled family adventure is one of the best ways to bring fall in. Make sure to make time for the gigantic corn maze, too!
Wow Factor: With all the pumpkins you could ever hope for on top of family-friendly fun like a huge corn maze, face-painting, a petting zoo, slides-n-rides, and SO much more, Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch is an absolute must-do.
Need To Know: General admission is $15 per person; children three and under are free. The 2024 season runs from September 7th through October 27th.
Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch is one of our favorite autumn attractions in North Dakota, and for great reason: it’s more than “just” pumpkins. Open seven days a week, this fun-filled family adventure is one of the best ways to bring fall in. Make sure to make time for the gigantic corn maze, too!
Best Fall Festivals In North Dakota
Nothing says “It’s autumn! Woohoo!” quite like an autumn festival. North Dakota is a pretty low-key, quiet little place, but there is a selection of awesome festivals that happen at this time every year that are totally worthy of checking out from anywhere in the state. Here are three of our favorites – they're truly magical and absolutely embody the spirit of the season!
Wow Factor: This is the single largest Scandinavian festival in the United States, and it’s ours – all ours!
Need To Know: General admission tickets are $44 per person, and a four-day festival pass is $132. Additional shows are available for booking as well – so these figures are just the start of the adventure!
When it comes to the best Scandinavian festivals in the world, you’d think North Dakota would be... well, a bit further down the list. But this is incorrect – as it turns out, we’re home to one ourselves. The Norsk Høstfest goes on for four amazing days, and it’s worth every minute! With amazing entertainment, incredible food, delightful vendors and shopping, and SO much more, this festival practically brings fall in officially for those who live here. Time for Norsk Høstfest already? Must be fall!
Wow Factor: Each and every year in early autumn, the annual Medora hot air balloon rally happens, attracting folks from all over the country. It’s so much more than just photogenic – it's tradition at this time every year.
Need To Know: Balloons go up first thing in the morning at 6:30, and from there, the fun kicks off. Enjoy breakfast, a guided hike, live music and more. Admission is free!
advertisement
Did you know that there’s an annual hot air balloon festival in North Dakota? It’s true, and in the fall, it returns time after time with more and more amazing balloons, activities and delights to indulge in that will simply blow you away (not literally, though). This balloon bonanza is part of the closing weekend of the famed Medora Musical, so stay the whole weekend and experience it all!
Wow Factor: With all sorts of community-oriented festivities like live music, vendors, food trucks, and events, this autumn festival celebrates all things vernal with a friendly overall vibe. It isn’t autumn in North Dakota yet ‘til you’ve been to at least one small-town fall festival.
Need To Know: Replace this text with the correct information.
For 20 years, the delightfully fun Walhalla Giant Pumpkinfest has wowed families with, well, its pumpkins. Taking place on Main Street in downtown Walhalla, you can expect more than JUST bright orange gourds; there are also local vendors, live music, food, and SO much more. This one’s one you’ll want to plan a whole day for so you can do all the things there are to do!
Free & Cheap North Dakota Fall Activities
Not everyone’s made of money; in fact, we reckon most folks aren’t, and as a result, we all appreciate inexpensive – if not free – things to do and see. There are lots of free activities (or low-cost ones) you can knock out in the fall in North Dakota, and none of them will break the bank. From road trips to small towns and city parks, we’ve got you covered when it comes to ideas for things to do this year that won’t cost you much.
Wow Factor: Fall foliage is a fun thing to look forward to each and every year, so what better way to ring in the fall than by driving around and enjoying as many colors in as many places as you can?
Need To Know: With 11 state scenic byways and two National Scenic Byways, North Dakota is the perfect place for an autumn road trip.
advertisement
Fun fact: it is 100% possible to embark upon an amazing fall foliage road trip in North Dakota, and other than the cost of gas, it shouldn’t cost anything (unless you want snacks, which we always do). Check out any (or all) of the incredible scenic byways across North Dakota and fall in love with our stunning little corner of the world all over again. Personally, we recommend taking a couple of days to do it all, which would require rest and food, but you can easily do ‘em without the bells and whistles, too.
Wow Factor: Fall foliage is great. It’s even better when you’re hiking through it!
Need To Know: Always wear sturdy footwear; autumn showers can make things a little muddy, though most of the time, you can expect dry weather. Bring water – no matter how cool it is outside, you can still overheat and/or dehydrate. Use caution and enjoy our amazing landscapes via hike, mountain bike, or anything else you love to do.
There is an amazing amalgamation of wonderful fall foliage hikes in North Dakota; most of them involve stunning foliage and a slight chill in the air that can’t be replicated. There are many, many, many miles of hiking trails weaving all over the state that are free to traverse – or, at the most, require a small entry fee (like state parks). Whether you’re hiking, mountain biking or simply wandering, you can’t go wrong with a simple trip outdoors.
Wow Factor: Not feeling an admission fee at our state parks? Check out our town and city parks – they're all just as amazing in their own ways.
Autumn in North Dakota is an amazing time, but we don’t always have time for day trips to state and/or National parks. In this case, no need to fret – you can always explore your nearby city/small-town park, where the leaves on the trees are sure to be vibrant and lovely. Who says you need to make a whole day out of immersing yourself in fall foliage when you can just take an hour or two? Either way, you win.
There you have it: one dozen amazing ideas for things to do in North Dakota in the fall. What did we leave out? Do you have any favorite fall activities in North Dakota that you’d add to this list? Tell us about them in the comments. What are your favorite things to do in the fall? Let us know!
The fall season is well underway, and that means it's time for some of the awesome activities that come with it. How exciting! Pumpkin patches and corn mazes are some of the best ways to enjoy the season, and they're definitely some of the most popular autumn hobbies for just about everyone. No matter what age you are, a North Dakota corn maze is always a thrill! If you're always googling "corn mazes near me" here are four unique corn mazes in North Dakota this year:
Formerly known as Dakota Carriage Company, Lil' Bitz hosts a pumpkin patch full of fun activities including a large corn maze you can easily get lost in and enjoy. Not only that, but they have after-dark openings of the corn maze every Friday during October for those who are daring enough to try it! They are open regularly from September to October, weather permitting, so visit while you can to enjoy the fall fun.
makes a beautiful design in their cornfield for everyone to explore. It has, of course, tons of pumpkin and pumpkin-related activities to try along with the maze. There is usually both a smaller maze and a larger maze, so choose what you are comfortable with and have at it before the season is over! They're open from mid-September through the end of October.
Experience all that the harvest has to offer with tons of pumpkins and a great corn maze at Papa's Pumpkin Patch this year. There's so much to do, it's hard to list it all! They are open from September through October 22, so head over, take on the challenge of the maze, and don't forget to grab a pumpkin to carve at home before you leave.
Visit the awesome mazes put together at Berry Acres this fall. The 8=acre corn maze is a must for those who want to really get lost and just enjoy the experience, while they also offer a mini maze. This season is open from September through October, so head over for some awesome activities and an unforgettable maze before it's too late.
advertisement
Fall is our favorite season, so we can't wait to make the most of it at one of these places with a good corn maze and some perfect carving pumpkins to take home! What is your favorite part of fall? Take a look at some other fun things to do on this list of Fall Festivals In North Dakota. You can also look at Airbnb Experiences for some out-of-the-box adventures around the state.
