North Dakota is one of the least populous states in the USA, with less than three quarters of a million people living in it. Lying in the far north of the country and sharing a border with Canada to the north, North Dakota marks the boundary between the plains and prairies of Minnesota to the east, and the mountains of Montana to the west. It is an often bleak place with stunning landscapes and wilderness areas to explore.

Huge areas of North Dakota remain completely untouched by civilization. The swathe of the Badlands National Park in the south of the state is a place where it is possible to wander through unearthly desert landscapes, and see the fossils of long dead animals poking through the tenuous dusty soil when the wind breathes across the barren earth.

While North Dakota tourism is not exactly in its infancy, it is not developed to the same extent as many other states, and taking a vacation in the state is often a matter of making your own arrangements and trusting to your instincts as much as you can. Away from cities like Fargo North Dakota - the largest city in the state, you are pretty much on your own.

North Dakota Map

While this solitude, the freedom to experience life at your own pace, and the opportunity to escape the modern world into the unspoiled landscape of the badlands and other national parks may not be for everyone, those who come to the state will soon discover that while it is a tough place to love, once you do get to grips with the state, you will be entranced forever.

One of the most important things to consider when planning your North Dakota Vacation is to decide exactly what you want to do during your stay. Because the state is so large, and the main natural attractions are so far apart and distant from the main cities like Grand Forks North Dakota, which is in the north of the state, it is often necessary to fly around from one place to another with the local airlines rather than drive. It takes a full day to get into the Badlands, by car, which means that in order to get the most out of your trip you need to spend as little time as possible getting around.

From Bismarck, North Dakota to the Red River Valley, there are sights throughout the state that must be seen to be believed. The stark lines of White Butte rising up from the flat desert, and the unforgettable sight of the rugged landscapes of the Turtle Mountains reflecting in the glassy lakes on the border with Canada are just two of the many iconic sights in North Dakota that will stay with you long after you have returned home.

Visiting North Dakota is a once in a lifetime experience, and packing in all that there is to see is hard, but with good planning, and a well thought out itinerary, you will find it possible to get more out of your visit to the Roughrider State than almost anywhere else in the world.