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North Dakota Vacation Destinations For Fun And Adventure

By Anita Ortega


Many vacation dreams feature sunny beaches, vast amusement parks, or blue pools beside luxury resorts. However, other things that can make a get-away memorable. Think about majestic mountains, wetlands full of birds, historic sites that make wild west stories come alive, and saving money, too. A North Dakota vacation is both exciting and affordable.

What most of us know about this northwestern state could be put on a postcard: on the front, the Badlands, and on the back, a note from Johnny who's working in the oil fields. This huge state has so much more to offer visitors. ND has more wildlife refuges than any other state. There's great fishing year-round, excellent golf courses, and spectacular skiing. The past is easy to picture as you walk through Knife River Indian Villages historic site or wander around a ghost town.

If you like shopping, North Dakota's cities have great downtown areas. Some casinos offer specialty shops as well as fine dining, luxury accommodations, live entertainment, and games of chance. ND is a great area for authentic Native American jewelry, rugs, and blankets.

Before the arrival of the white man the Badlands awed people with their barren beauty, dramatic gorges, and colored rock formations. Today photographers and hikers explore hidden trails and more than sixty ghost towns. Scenic overlooks make welcome pauses in the heart-stopping drive along the Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit, a fourteen-mile drive of curves, drop-offs, and spectacular scenery.

Of course, the Badlands are perfect for those who love to take pictures, and abundant wildlife gives great photo ops. ND is on the Central flyway, so millions of migratory birds pass through in the spring and fall. June is the peak for bird watching, when birds are brilliant in mating plumage. Special drives and hikes take watchers to top viewing sites, and some refuges have blinds so enthusiasts can get up close.

Many tourists rent a cabin for their stay. You can also stay at a resort lodge, where the emphasis is on comfortable rusticity, or you can find a more conventional motel. There are camping sites in the national and state parks, if you really want to rough it. Hiking, cycling, hunting, fishing year round, canoeing, kayaking, and fossil hunts are popular daytime activities.

Check out vacation packages, especially if it will be your first time in ND. These deals vary but can include meals and accommodations at specific points along the way. They are geared for everything from family groups to conventions, or from backpackers to senior citizens who want leisurely outings.

Why go on another cruise ship or beach vacation when you can have a real change of pace? There are many airports, if you don't want to drive, but getting there can be both fun and educational as you drive through the great West. This fairly young state (either 39th or 40th in the Union) that has it all is the place for an affordable, unforgettable trip.




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