One of the best ways to relax and really get away from everything that most people don’t think of right away is to just take a drive and not care where you’re going. Just to enjoy the ride and get your mind off things, with the added bonus of enjoying some scenery or stopping at points of interest along the way. North Dakota has some stunning scenic roads that are perfect for this, and one of the best is the Rendezvous Region Scenic Backway.
Along the route from Vang to Cavalier, you will pass through some of the most picturesque parts of northeastern North Dakota. There are some great overlooks along the road that you can stop at and see spectacular views of the forests and valleys, including the Pembina Gorge. Take your time and just enjoy the drive on this beautiful backway. To see a map of the route, click here.
The road snakes through the countryside starting in Vang, North Dakota, going through Walhalla, and ending in Cavalier - or reversed, depending on where you start.
Andrew Ross/Flickr
Places like the Masonic Scenic Overlook that are located along the backway have amazing views like this.
endvolunteer/Flickr
The Icelandic State Park is part of the route, too, full of dense forests and some plants and animals you won’t find anywhere else in the state.
NDPRD/Flickr
In the winter, the Frost Fire Mountain is open for skiing, and is right along the way. Yes, North Dakota has skiing!
Robert Linsdell
Another point of interest you could stop at on the drive is the Gringas Trading Post Historical Site, one of the very first trading posts in the entire state.
Elcajonfarms/Wikimedia
By the end of this drive, you should feel totally at ease and also have some great memories. What did you think? Isn’t this one of the best scenic drives in North Dakota?! There’s a lot of other wonderful scenic drives in North Dakota, like these byways located all over the state.
Andrew Ross/Flickr
endvolunteer/Flickr
NDPRD/Flickr
Robert Linsdell
Elcajonfarms/Wikimedia
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Address: Rendezvous Region, 516 Cooper Ave # 101, Grafton, ND 58237, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
best scenic drives in North Dakota August 13, 2021 Sarah What are some scenic spots in North Dakota? North Dakota has way more scenic spots of nature than most people realize. Usually people think of this state as having only a few pretty natural attractions and the rest being farmlands, but if they did a little digging they’d find an entire list of incredible places. So we’re going to share not one, not two, but 10 of the most scenic spots in North Dakota for your next day trip adventure! From gorgeous natural refuges and state parks to beautiful hiking trails and overlooks, you’ll fall head-over-heels for North Dakota when you visit these places. Are there any other scenic drives in North Dakota? If you’re feeling like you just need to get away from it all for a little while, sometimes a drive to clear your mind can help – especially if it’s going through some of the most beautiful countryside. Explore the lesser-known parts of North Dakota by taking a drive on The Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway, which is one of the most charming drives you can take through North Dakota. The route will take you off the interstate and through beautiful small towns and scenic countrysides in between the cities of Dickinson and Mandan. The byway has a great feature called the Talking Trail. While you’re taking the drive, stop at the Talking Trail signs and call a specific number to listen to the history of that area and stories or urban legends attached to it. There are over 40 spots to listen to the audio, adding a fun and interactive element to this scenic drive! What are some scenic overlooks in North Dakota? Scenic overlooks and scenic drives go hand in hand. One of the easiest and best ways to get the most spectacular views of the North Dakota landscapes is stopping by a scenic overlook, which can be as easy as a quick detour off the interstate. You’ll want to bring your camera to these eight places because the sights you’ll see can be completely overwhelming and you won’t want to forget them. One of our favorites on the list is the Painted Canyon Overlook in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It’s rated as one of the top overlooks in the entire country and for a good reason. This is by far the best view of the badlands of southwestern North Dakota in the South Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It’s easy to stop by - just pull off the road - and free, too. Even if you aren’t visiting the park, take the time to stop here. It is well-worth a detour!
The OIYS Visitor Center
best scenic drives in North Dakota
August 13, 2021
Sarah
What are some scenic spots in North Dakota? North Dakota has way more scenic spots of nature than most people realize. Usually people think of this state as having only a few pretty natural attractions and the rest being farmlands, but if they did a little digging they’d find an entire list of incredible places. So we’re going to share not one, not two, but 10 of the most scenic spots in North Dakota for your next day trip adventure! From gorgeous natural refuges and state parks to beautiful hiking trails and overlooks, you’ll fall head-over-heels for North Dakota when you visit these places. Are there any other scenic drives in North Dakota? If you’re feeling like you just need to get away from it all for a little while, sometimes a drive to clear your mind can help – especially if it’s going through some of the most beautiful countryside. Explore the lesser-known parts of North Dakota by taking a drive on The Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway, which is one of the most charming drives you can take through North Dakota. The route will take you off the interstate and through beautiful small towns and scenic countrysides in between the cities of Dickinson and Mandan. The byway has a great feature called the Talking Trail. While you’re taking the drive, stop at the Talking Trail signs and call a specific number to listen to the history of that area and stories or urban legends attached to it. There are over 40 spots to listen to the audio, adding a fun and interactive element to this scenic drive! What are some scenic overlooks in North Dakota? Scenic overlooks and scenic drives go hand in hand. One of the easiest and best ways to get the most spectacular views of the North Dakota landscapes is stopping by a scenic overlook, which can be as easy as a quick detour off the interstate. You’ll want to bring your camera to these eight places because the sights you’ll see can be completely overwhelming and you won’t want to forget them. One of our favorites on the list is the Painted Canyon Overlook in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It’s rated as one of the top overlooks in the entire country and for a good reason. This is by far the best view of the badlands of southwestern North Dakota in the South Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It’s easy to stop by - just pull off the road - and free, too. Even if you aren’t visiting the park, take the time to stop here. It is well-worth a detour!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
North Dakota has way more scenic spots of nature than most people realize. Usually people think of this state as having only a few pretty natural attractions and the rest being farmlands, but if they did a little digging they’d find an entire list of incredible places. So we’re going to share not one, not two, but 10 of the most scenic spots in North Dakota for your next day trip adventure! From gorgeous natural refuges and state parks to beautiful hiking trails and overlooks, you’ll fall head-over-heels for North Dakota when you visit these places.
Are there any other scenic drives in North Dakota?
If you’re feeling like you just need to get away from it all for a little while, sometimes a drive to clear your mind can help – especially if it’s going through some of the most beautiful countryside. Explore the lesser-known parts of North Dakota by taking a drive on The Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway, which is one of the most charming drives you can take through North Dakota. The route will take you off the interstate and through beautiful small towns and scenic countrysides in between the cities of Dickinson and Mandan. The byway has a great feature called the Talking Trail. While you’re taking the drive, stop at the Talking Trail signs and call a specific number to listen to the history of that area and stories or urban legends attached to it. There are over 40 spots to listen to the audio, adding a fun and interactive element to this scenic drive!
What are some scenic overlooks in North Dakota?
Scenic overlooks and scenic drives go hand in hand. One of the easiest and best ways to get the most spectacular views of the North Dakota landscapes is stopping by a scenic overlook, which can be as easy as a quick detour off the interstate. You’ll want to bring your camera to these eight places because the sights you’ll see can be completely overwhelming and you won’t want to forget them. One of our favorites on the list is the Painted Canyon Overlook in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It’s rated as one of the top overlooks in the entire country and for a good reason. This is by far the best view of the badlands of southwestern North Dakota in the South Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It’s easy to stop by - just pull off the road - and free, too. Even if you aren’t visiting the park, take the time to stop here. It is well-worth a detour!
