Nestled within the beautiful state of North Dakota is a scenic backway that, should you decide to take it one day, will take you on a unique adventure unlike any you might have had before. It's not a "byway" - it's a "backway" - and the difference is that a byway is paved whereas a backway is a nice, rugged dirt road adventure. You might have heard of it, you might not have; either way, it's quite the bucket list trip, and it can be done pretty quickly, too, given that you don't stop anywhere. The Chan SanSan Scenic Backway in North Dakota is one amazing drive you've got to do at least once!
You'll begin your adventure in Adrian, a small North Dakota town founded in 1885.
In Adrian, you'll look for Highway 46 and take it southbound. It's a dirt road, so make sure your vehicle is well-equipped to handle it. It's a pretty smooth ride, so you won't likely have many issues.
From Adrian, you go through several delightful small towns and get first-row seats to some of our state's most beautiful natural splendor.
This little dirt road in the middle of nowhere hugs the James River Valley, where you'll encounter the majesty of tallgrass prairie, varied bodies of water, and plenty of Native American history along the way.
Keep an eye out for fascinating features like Native American earthen mounds.
Bring a camera, too, because this entire journey is a photogenic delight!
The Chan SanSan runs for 35 miles total; it's an easy drive, and you'll definitely benefit from making multiple stops at the various points of interest along the way.
Some of those points of interest include the Double Pony truss bridge, the LaMoure County courthouse, the Henrich-Martin Dam, and more.
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The small towns along the way are just as historically rich as the backway itself.
One thing is for sure: this wonderful, scenic backway in North Dakota is an awesome drive to do and then re-do, making sure to stop at different interesting spots each time.
You could honestly make an entire day trip out of it.
It might span for less than 40 miles, but don't let that fool you; there is plenty to do, see, photograph, and admire along the way.
And, as we mentioned earlier, should you want it to be brief, you can do that - beginning to end, it won't take more than an hour or two to conquer.
This is one of those backways in North Dakota that people don't know enough about, and perhaps it's time that changed!
So, what do you think? Do you have a favorite secret backway (or byway) that you love? Tell us about it by filling out this form; we love to hear from you!
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