Many North Dakota small towns are dying. It’s a sad way to put it, but it’s true. As new generations get older and move off to bigger places, the population of these lone prairie towns dwindles to nothing. Eventually, they become ghost towns. But there are a few towns out there that are striving to capture people’s interest rather than fade out of existence. One man put Regent, North Dakota back on the map with his quirky and interesting creations, and today it’s known as the perfect day trip location.

Regent, North Dakota was 1910, starting out just like many other North Dakota small towns - as a railroad stop. In many ways, you can still see remnants of the good old days here.

Andrew Filer/Flickr

But Regent is not just any small town. Local Gary Greff wanted to make the town a place to visit, and he did so in quite a unique way.

Andrew Filer/Flickr

Greff made the Enchanted Highway an Enchanted Castle, as well as other bits and pieces throughout town to add interest to the area.

Andrew Filer/Flickr

The Enchanted Highway is a stretch of road with Greff’s huge scrap metal sculptures along the way, including this one, Geese in Flight, which has a Guinness World Record for being the biggest.

Ken Lund/Flickr

Other statues you’ll see along the drive into Regent include huge grasshoppers, giant fish, and even Theodore Roosevelt on a horse.

Mark Kaletka/Flickr

Each sculpture is unique and includes a place to park and get photos next to the larger-than-life figures.

Amy Meredith/Flickr

In town, you’ll find a gift shop for the Enchanted Highway plus local businesses and another Greff creation.

Amy Meredith/Flickr

That being the Enchanted Castle, a school-turned-hotel where you can stay and enjoy medieval theming unlike anywhere else in North Dakota. How cool is that?

Dave Werven/Google

Regent, North Dakota may only have a population of 160, but it certainly attracts many more visitors than that thanks to all the quirky things you can find. There is no other town quite like it, and it’s worth visiting at least once.

Andrew Filer/Flickr

Ken Lund/Flickr

Mark Kaletka/Flickr

Amy Meredith/Flickr

Dave Werven/Google

What other small towns in North Dakota do you think make for perfect day trip destinations? Nominate your favorites here.

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Address: Regent, ND 58650, USA