Year after year, the North Dakota landscapes turn into canvases full of vibrant colors as summer transitions to winter. Whether it just be within the tree rows on the side of the road, or in the dense trees along the rivers and lakes, all the leaves turn into sights like none you have ever seen. If you’re looking for the absolute best places to see in order to experience the season at its most beautiful, we have the road trip just for you. Get ready to experience the best fall foliage in North Dakota!
This road trip mainly covers the north and east-central portion of North Dakota, so those of you in western North Dakota should check out our Natural Wonders Road Trip, which is based on that part of the state. Many of the places featured on that trip are just as beautiful in the fall as these are! As for you, Central North Dakotans – the ND Parks & Rec site has some great recommendations for awesome fall foliage viewing in all areas here.
The Route
Google maps There are plenty of things to do in fall in North Dakota, but this adventure takes the cake. This trip is almost 7 and a half hours long and is not round trip, so you will probably want to extend this over multiple days in order to have enough time to stop along the way. For driving directions, click here. This route will start you in Fargo but you can begin at the opposite point and go the opposite direction, or jump in at any time.
- Lindenwood Park, Fargo
fizbon_pics/Flickr To start out, we’re beginning in a park within Fargo itself. This beautiful place is full of trees that are absolutely stunning in the fall, and it’s free to get in and great for a quick stroll through the fallen leaves to start out with. Read more about this wonderful little slice of autumn paradise here. 1905 Roger Maris Dr, Fargo, ND 58103, USA
- Driving north near the Red River
Sharon Mollerus/Flickr As you go north along I-29, there are a lot of chances to take a short detour to see the Red River in all of its autumnal glory. You can do this within Fargo and Grand Forks as you go through them, or make a slight change in the route to head a little ways eastward toward the Minnesota border to see it for yourself. No matter what you decide to do, you’ll be greeted with the most splendid fall colors in North Dakota.
- Turtle River State Park, Arvilla
NDPRD/Flickr The next stop is this state park, a perfect view into the beauty of the season. The dense forest will be full of bright colors of the changing leaves and the trails along the river and through the foliage are picture perfect. Read more about this delightful state park here. 3084 Park Ave NE, Arvilla, ND 58214, USA
- Icelandic State Park, Cavalier
NDPRD/Flickr The third spot you’ll stop at is the Icelandic State Park, surrounding Lake Renwick not far from Cavalier. The lake looks fantastic when surrounded by all of the red and yellow hues of the changing leaves. This would be a great stop for a scenic lakeside picnic. Read more about this stunning and wonderous state park here. 13571 ND-5, Cavalier, ND 58220, USA
- Pembina Gorge, Walhalla
NDPRD/Flickr Not far from the Icelandic State Park is the next location, the absolutely breathtaking Pembina Gorge. This place is known for the amazing autumn views of the forests surrounding the gorge. Bring a camera out for this stop, because you’ll want to capture these sights forever. Read more about Pembina Gorge in this article. 11950 Co Hwy 55, Walhalla, ND 58282, USA
- Lake Metigoshe, Bottineau
NDPRD/Flickr At this point you will be driving through the Turtle Mountains, full of some of the prettiest fall colors in North Dakota. Lake Metigoshe is the best stop within these to see just how amazing they are in person. The vibrant colors of the leaves reflect beautifully on the calm waters of the lake and create a masterpiece. Discover the secrets to Lake Metigoshe here! Lake Metigoshe State Park, 2514 2nd St E, Bottineau, ND 58318, USA
- Devils Lake, Devils Lake
NDPRD/Flickr Heading south from Bottineau and through some more scenic drives, you will find your way down to Devils Lake. The Grahams Island State Park is a park surrounding the lake that offers great opportunities for trails and awesome lake views. The trees around the lake will be utterly gorgeous at this time of year. Click here for more about Devil’s Lake. 152 S Duncan Rd, Devils Lake, ND 58301, USA
After this, you can either head east from Devil’s Lake back to Grand Forks and then south on I-29 to return to Fargo, or take the long way and go further south from Devil’s Lake to Jamestown and go east from there. Of course, you could do this entire route in reverse, or any other ways if you choose; just change the starting point and order on Google Maps. It’s easy!
Google maps
There are plenty of things to do in fall in North Dakota, but this adventure takes the cake. This trip is almost 7 and a half hours long and is not round trip, so you will probably want to extend this over multiple days in order to have enough time to stop along the way. For driving directions, click here. This route will start you in Fargo but you can begin at the opposite point and go the opposite direction, or jump in at any time.
fizbon_pics/Flickr
To start out, we’re beginning in a park within Fargo itself. This beautiful place is full of trees that are absolutely stunning in the fall, and it’s free to get in and great for a quick stroll through the fallen leaves to start out with. Read more about this wonderful little slice of autumn paradise here.
1905 Roger Maris Dr, Fargo, ND 58103, USA
Sharon Mollerus/Flickr
As you go north along I-29, there are a lot of chances to take a short detour to see the Red River in all of its autumnal glory. You can do this within Fargo and Grand Forks as you go through them, or make a slight change in the route to head a little ways eastward toward the Minnesota border to see it for yourself. No matter what you decide to do, you’ll be greeted with the most splendid fall colors in North Dakota.
NDPRD/Flickr
The next stop is this state park, a perfect view into the beauty of the season. The dense forest will be full of bright colors of the changing leaves and the trails along the river and through the foliage are picture perfect. Read more about this delightful state park here.
3084 Park Ave NE, Arvilla, ND 58214, USA
The third spot you’ll stop at is the Icelandic State Park, surrounding Lake Renwick not far from Cavalier. The lake looks fantastic when surrounded by all of the red and yellow hues of the changing leaves. This would be a great stop for a scenic lakeside picnic. Read more about this stunning and wonderous state park here.
13571 ND-5, Cavalier, ND 58220, USA
Not far from the Icelandic State Park is the next location, the absolutely breathtaking Pembina Gorge. This place is known for the amazing autumn views of the forests surrounding the gorge. Bring a camera out for this stop, because you’ll want to capture these sights forever. Read more about Pembina Gorge in this article.
11950 Co Hwy 55, Walhalla, ND 58282, USA
At this point you will be driving through the Turtle Mountains, full of some of the prettiest fall colors in North Dakota. Lake Metigoshe is the best stop within these to see just how amazing they are in person. The vibrant colors of the leaves reflect beautifully on the calm waters of the lake and create a masterpiece. Discover the secrets to Lake Metigoshe here!
Lake Metigoshe State Park, 2514 2nd St E, Bottineau, ND 58318, USA
Heading south from Bottineau and through some more scenic drives, you will find your way down to Devils Lake. The Grahams Island State Park is a park surrounding the lake that offers great opportunities for trails and awesome lake views. The trees around the lake will be utterly gorgeous at this time of year. Click here for more about Devil’s Lake.
152 S Duncan Rd, Devils Lake, ND 58301, USA
What are your favorite things to do in the fall in North Dakota? Share your best adventures in the comments! If you’re looking for more autumn destinations, check out these seven places in North Dakota. If you have any suggestions about amazing autumn wonderlands in this beautiful state of ours, tell us about them by filling out this form.
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Address: North Dakota, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Fall Foliage In North Dakota August 13, 2019 Elisa Regulski What is the best time to see peak fall foliage in North Dakota? North Dakota’s gorgeous fall colors begin appearing in the middle of September, but they really become vibrant toward the end of the month. These crimson leaves remain in the state until the end of October. These months are the best times to hike through North Dakota’s lovely landscapes. Where are the best places in North Dakota to see fall foliage? People flock to the Southern Red River Valley to see North Dakota’s breathtaking fall foliage. In addition to the wonderful trees, this area has peaceful hiking trails and tranquil views. Turtle River State Park is another popular autumn destination. This heavily wooded trail looks positively radiant in September and October. What are the best North Dakota hikes to take in the fall? The Wind Canyon Trail, located in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, is a beloved autumn trail. This breezy hike overlooks the Little Missouri River, and it looks exceptional in the fall. You’ll also find astonishing fall colors in North Dakota along the trails in Icelandic State Park. This bewitching destination is located just north of Cavelier, North Dakota. The shaded hiking trails look like something straight out of a fairy tale.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Fall Foliage In North Dakota
August 13, 2019
Elisa Regulski
What is the best time to see peak fall foliage in North Dakota? North Dakota’s gorgeous fall colors begin appearing in the middle of September, but they really become vibrant toward the end of the month. These crimson leaves remain in the state until the end of October. These months are the best times to hike through North Dakota’s lovely landscapes. Where are the best places in North Dakota to see fall foliage? People flock to the Southern Red River Valley to see North Dakota’s breathtaking fall foliage. In addition to the wonderful trees, this area has peaceful hiking trails and tranquil views. Turtle River State Park is another popular autumn destination. This heavily wooded trail looks positively radiant in September and October. What are the best North Dakota hikes to take in the fall? The Wind Canyon Trail, located in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, is a beloved autumn trail. This breezy hike overlooks the Little Missouri River, and it looks exceptional in the fall. You’ll also find astonishing fall colors in North Dakota along the trails in Icelandic State Park. This bewitching destination is located just north of Cavelier, North Dakota. The shaded hiking trails look like something straight out of a fairy tale.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
North Dakota’s gorgeous fall colors begin appearing in the middle of September, but they really become vibrant toward the end of the month. These crimson leaves remain in the state until the end of October. These months are the best times to hike through North Dakota’s lovely landscapes.
Where are the best places in North Dakota to see fall foliage?
People flock to the Southern Red River Valley to see North Dakota’s breathtaking fall foliage. In addition to the wonderful trees, this area has peaceful hiking trails and tranquil views. Turtle River State Park is another popular autumn destination. This heavily wooded trail looks positively radiant in September and October.
What are the best North Dakota hikes to take in the fall?
The Wind Canyon Trail, located in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, is a beloved autumn trail. This breezy hike overlooks the Little Missouri River, and it looks exceptional in the fall. You’ll also find astonishing fall colors in North Dakota along the trails in Icelandic State Park. This bewitching destination is located just north of Cavelier, North Dakota. The shaded hiking trails look like something straight out of a fairy tale.
