National Lands: North Dakota

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in the Badlands of North Dakota. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

North Dakota has two interstates. Interstate 29 runs north-south along the eastern border of the state. Interstate 94 runs east-west across the southern section of the state. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located just north of Interstate 94 near the western border of the state. This park has three sections. The South Unit has a 36-mile Scenic Loop Drive. Visitor Centers are available and hiking and camping are some of the activities. The North Unit also has a Visitor Center, a 14-mile Scenic Drive and trails. The Elkhorn Ranch Unit requires a journey over 35 miles of gravel road to get to what remains of Roosevelt's ranch.

The Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site is located on the western border of the state in the northwest section. The fur trading post is on the Missouri River and is north of Interstate 94. The Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is located in Stanton. The site is northwest of Bismarck and north of Interstate 94. Hiking and fishing are available in addition to a center that gives information about the Northern Plains Indians.

The Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail runs through eleven states. In North Dakota the trail follows the course of the Missouri River. The National Park Service website has a list of visitor centers. The North Country National Scenic Trail travels through seven states. In North Dakota the trail runs up from the south between Bismarck and Fargo then turns west in the center of the state to Lake Sakakawea.