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Nestled in the scenic Turtle Mountains along the U.S./Canadian border, Lake Metigoshe is one of the most popular year-round vacation spots in North Dakota. The small lakes within the park provide opportunities for fishing, canoeing, boating and swimming. A multitude of trails attract hikers and mountain bikers. Winter bring snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, sledders and ice fishing enthusiasts. The Lake Metigoshe area was home to several Native American tribes, including the Blackfoot and Hidatsa, and later the Assiniboine and Chippewa. The lake takes its name from the Chippewa phrase, "metigoche washegum," or clear lake surrounded by oak trees. Of all of North Dakota's state parks, Lake Metigoshe contains the greatest acreage of land remaining in its natural condition. The park's woodlands and wetlands are uncommon finds for visitors accustomed to North Dakota's expansive prairie vistas. Aspen and oak woodlands, as well as wetlands, cover much of the park and provide habitat for a wide variety of plant, animal and bird species seldom seen elsewhere in North Dakota.
Lake Metigoshe State Park is a public recreation area occupying some 1,500 acres (610 ha) on the shores of Lake Metigoshe in the Turtle Mountains, 14 miles northeast of Bottineau, North Dakota, on the Canada–US border. The state park lies adjacent to the southwest corner of the much larger Turtle Mountain Provincial Park in Manitoba. A small portion of the lake extends northward into the Municipality of Deloraine-Winchester but is not part of either park.
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Fort Stevenson State Park, located on Lake Sakakawea's north shore, was named for the late 1800s for that served as a supply depot for other military posts in the Dakota Territory. Boaters will find excellent facilities, including boat ramp access, marina, fishing boat rental and boat storage. The North Dakota Governor's Cup Walleye Fishing Derby, as well as a variety of other events is held here annually. Other amenities include camping and picnicking facilities, sleeping cabins, visitor center, arboretum and hiking trails.
One the south shore of Lake Sakakawea, adjacent to Garrison Dam, Lake Sakakawea State Park offers a wide range of water-based recreational activities and facilities. The park has a full-service marina including boat rentals, convenience store, fishing guide services, and boat and camper storage. Boat ramps in the park offer deep water access to some of the best fishing on Lake Sakakawea. The park also features modern camping and picnicking facilities. Hikers enjoy a segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Sleeping cabins are available during the summer months.
Situated on one of the upper bays of Lake Sakakawea, the rugged buttes of the North Dakota Badlands display a towering backdrop to one of the state's best recreation areas. The park is named for the Corps of Discovery explorers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. The expedition camped nearby on April 17, 1805, and an interpretive trail marker has been placed within the park to commemorate their historic journey through North Dakota. Two rare fish species, the pallid sturgeon and the prehistoric-looking paddlefish, can occasionally be found in the lake's western reaches. A self-guided nature trail allows visitors to become acquainted with the natural communities associated with the park, which is home for many wildlife species including white-tailed deer, mule deer, ring-necked pheasant, porcupine, sharp-tailed grouse and chipmunks.
Situated on Lake Renwick's north shore, Icelandic State Park offers water sports like boating, swimming and fishing. The park also is the site of the Pioneer Heritage Center, which features restored historic buildings providing a glimpse of North Dakota's Homesteading heritage. An early homestead preserves the state's pioneer spirit, while the Gunlogson Nature Preserve, a 200-acre (80-hectare) natural wooded area along the Tongue River provides a sanctuary for plants, birds and wildlife. Nearby attractions include a golf course, Pembina Gorge, Pembina County Historical Museum, Pembina State Museum, snowmobile trail, Frostfire Mountain Ski Resort and Summer Theatre and a state scenic byway.
Cross Ranch State Park is located along some of the last free-flowing and undeveloped stretches of the Missouri River. A boat ramp and canoe and kayak rentals are available for those wishing to explore this scenic segment of the river, while anglers will find walleye, trout, catfish, salmon, pike and bass in its waters. An extensive trail system can be explored either on foot or on cross-country skis during the winter months. The trails allow access to a 5,000-acre (2,000-hectare) nature preserve with mixed grass prairie, river bottom forests and wood draws. Campers can use either the park's primitive campground or hike to their camping spot in a backcountry area.The park is also well known for its bluegrass music festival held in June.
Oscar Zero
Consisting of two sites, Oscar-Zero (a former Missile Alert Facility) and November-33 (a former Launch Facility or missile silo) were only two of 165 Cold War era nuclear missile facilities operated by the 321st Strategic Missile Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base, Grand Forks, North Dakota. Operating from 1966-1997, only Oscar-Zero and November-33 would be preserved as historic sites and in 2009 were formally opened for tours by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Open year round with varying hours, visitors can tour a former nuclear missile control center buried 50 feet (15 m) below ground and experience the living and work areas of America's Cold War missileers.