Let your North Dakota adventure continue after the sun goes down. Spending a night in a covered wagon, field tent, yurt or tipi after an enjoyable day in the great outdoors will add an unforgettable element to your destination vacation.
Early explorers got creative to survive the wilderness. You, on the other hand, can get creative as a way to relax and rejuvenate.
Some Native Americans on the Northern Plains lived in tipis that were easy to move and provided shelter from the environment. Campers at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park near Mandan can spend the day touring the many historic and recreational sites in Bismarck and Mandan before turning in for a night in an 18-foot tipi alongside the Missouri River.
As westward settlement picked up steam, pioneers came overland in covered wagons. For those now touring in station wagons, Fort Ransom State Park keeps the pioneer spirit alive with the Percheron Wagon fully equipped with beds, refrigerator, microwave and air conditioning (not just by opening the flap). Explore the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway or kayak the Sheyenne River knowing your wagon under the stars awaits.
The military was sent to provide protection for railroads, and settlers often camped in field tents at many forts and encampments throughout Dakota Territory. Fort Seward at Jamestown keeps that history alive with field-tent camping that includes many of the amenities from the 1870s. Hunt for your food at the nearby grocery store, then head to camp and experience what it was like to live on the prairie. For a truly historic experience, book a stay before or after June’s Fort Seward Wagon Train.
Yurts are traditional lodges still used in some cultures as primary housing. Pretty Point Yurt at Cross Ranch State Park near Washburn is an unforgettable way to end a day of hiking, birding or fishing in the park or exploring nearby Lewis and Clark Expedition sites in Washburn and Stanton. Smaller yurts and cabins are other options within the park.
These are a few ways to reconnect and rejuvenate in North Dakota. Plan your perfect getaway at www.ndtourism.com(link is external). Follow your curiosity, not the crowd.
RECONNECT WITH OVERNIGHT STAYS
