With four individual seasons, North Dakota offers a range of attractions to be enjoyed year-round and some that are best enjoyed during certain times of the year. Accommodating a wide variety of interests, North Dakota offers both excitement and relaxation, indoor and outdoor fun, piping hot summer days, and crisp winter afternoons. North Dakota travel reveals a vast and rural state best explored with a car rental if you’re trying to cover a lot of ground. A trip to North Dakota to see some of the most famous attractions is a rewarding and unique experience for visitors.

The seasons in North Dakota are typical of a midwestern U.S. state. Winter weather in North Dakota typically lasts from November through March; then a much-anticipated spring stretches out until summer begins at the end of June. From June and well into September, the summer weather attracts thousands of tourists visiting sights such as the thousands of lakes in North Dakota where resorts and cabins offer excellent accommodation. The summer months are ideal for golfing and fishing and many other outdoor activities. Summer can get hot, reaching temperatures in the high 80s and beyond. Though some love the heat, others may not fare as well in it. Carefully consider the activities you have planned during your trip to North Dakota and what the temperatures will be before solidifying plans.

Spring usually offers the chance to do virtually anything you can do in the summer and fall. It may not be as comfortable for swimming, but the weather can be warm, requiring only a light jacket or sweater most of the time. Prairie wildflower tours are exceptional this time of year, as are visits to some of the state’s wildlife refuges and parks where visitors can spot scores of migratory birds. Spring is when North Dakota comes alive after a long and often very cold winter, and you’ll notice the pleasant moods of the locals during your North Dakota vacation. Spring is a great season for touring some of the more popular cities like Fargo, Jamestown, and Minot, where walking tours are often met with sunshine and gloriously clear days.

North Dakota Map

Fall is spectacular, presenting one of the best times of year for North Dakota travel. A trip to North Dakota during the fall months reveals the sheer brilliance of fall foliage evident in the sweeping landscape lit up by brilliant reds, burnt oranges, and bright yellows. During a North Dakota vacation in the fall, a trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park illustrates the true beauty of the Badlands with an incredible backdrop saturated with color. Camping is still possible throughout the park at this time of year, as are hiking, lookouts, historical tours, and much more.

During the winter months North Dakota travel is harder because of the ample snowfall, but don’t be discouraged. A North Dakota vacation in the winter offers great access to numerous trails through cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, as well as snowmobiling and hiking. If you’re not into cold weather, a visit to some of the state’s casinos and museums is a great way to spend time on your North Dakota vacation. Whether your trip to North Dakota is during the spring, summer, fall, or winter there are scores of attractions and things to do that will make your getaway exciting, fulfilling and memorable.