Hidden just 35 miles away from the Montana state line in quiet, out-of-the-way Divide County, North Dakota, is a small town that's somehow equal parts remote and delightful, and I think anyone who tends to fall in love easily with small towns (same) might appreciate this one as much as I do. Known as Crosby, this itty-bitty town has a population of just barely over 1,050, and yet it's jam-packed with cool things to do. It's probably my favorite middle-of-nowhere town in North Dakota. Check it out!
The Divide County Courthouse is probably the first building you'll notice - don't worry, it's the first building we all notice, and for good reason: it's gorgeous, with intricately beautiful decor, stained glass, stunning mosaic floors, and more. Even if you're not an architecture geek like me, I think you'll still find that the courthouse is splendor on a new level. Who knew there was impressive architecture in North Dakota? Well, now we do.
From there, you'll be charmed by the overall friendly vibe of the whole Main Street area, complete with old-school buildings and storefronts you'll only find here. Various bars, shops, and eateries make it worthy of some exploration; Crosby is a great small town to make a day trip out of, and the possibilities are only as limited as your imagination.
Once you've had your fill of downtown Crosby, be sure to then pivot to the Pioneer Village, which is kind of like stepping backward in time (or as close as we'll get to doing so, anyway). This living history museum will teach you all sorts of amazing things about Crosby and the surrounding regions, and you'll leave feeling enlightened and welcome. And you are welcome - Crosby is awfully friendly, after all.
Nature lovers will find plenty to adore here, too, and I definitely recommend checking out the Writing Rock State Historic Site, which is home to some of our state's most strangely unique geological formations. You'll find that in two cases, ancient peoples inscribed them... but whom? Come find out. It's awesome, I promise.
During the warm months, the kids will love visiting and playing at the Crosby Swimming Pool & Splash Pad. Kids of all ages absolutely love it, and yours will ask to come back repeatedly (...which is a great excuse to come back repeatedly, obviously).
If you ever find yourself looking for a nice, quiet escape from real life for a while, I hear you. Crosby is one of my favorites for several reasons - first and foremost, its remoteness. Sometimes, when we want peace and quiet, we want peace and quiet, and Crosby is perfect for just such a mood. Of course, once you're feeling a smidge more sociable and want to go out and about, no worries - there are plenty of things to do in Crosby, North Dakota, to go around.
Want to road trip to Crosby? That sounds good to me! Check out all the awesome deals from our friends at RVShare. Do you have a favorite tiny rural town in North Dakota? Tell me all about it in the comments.
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!