Leith North DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Leith, North Dakota.
1. Painted Canyon Overlook
STUNNING BADLANDS VISTA
Painted Canyon Overlook offers visitors breathtaking panoramic views of the North Dakota Badlands with their colorful striations and rugged beauty. Travelers can enjoy the dramatic landscape from this easily accessible viewpoint that showcases the unique geological features of the region. This popular stopping point includes interpretive displays that help visitors understand the natural forces that shaped this remarkable landscape.
2. Enchanted Highway
WORLD'S LARGEST SCULPTURES
The Enchanted Highway features a collection of the world's largest scrap metal sculptures created by local artist Gary Greff to revitalize his hometown of Regent. These massive roadside attractions are spaced approximately four to twelve miles apart along a 30-mile stretch, each with its own unique theme and small parking area. The journey culminates in Regent where visitors can find a castle-shaped hotel and restaurant along with a visitors center offering souvenirs.
3. Theodore Roosevelt National Park
PRESIDENTIAL WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
Theodore Roosevelt National Park preserves the dramatic badlands where the 26th president once ranched and found inspiration for conservation efforts. Visitors can explore painted canyons, observe free-roaming bison and wild horses, and visit Roosevelt's historic Maltese Cross Cabin. The park's South Unit features an excellent visitor center with informative exhibits, clean facilities, and scenic driving loops that showcase the stunning natural landscape.
4. Badlands Overlook
MAJESTIC NATURAL PANORAMA
Badlands Overlook provides visitors with spectacular views across the rugged terrain that defines this region of North Dakota. From this vantage point, guests can witness the striking geological formations shaped by millions of years of erosion and weathering. The overlook offers perfect photo opportunities especially during sunrise and sunset when the landscape is bathed in golden light.
5. International Peace Garden
SYMBOL OF FRIENDSHIP
The International Peace Garden stands as a tribute to the peaceful relationship between the United States and Canada, straddling the border between North Dakota and Manitoba. Visitors can wander through meticulously maintained gardens featuring over 155,000 flowers, reflect at the Peace Chapel, and view the 9/11 memorial made from steel recovered from the World Trade Center. This 2,300-acre botanical garden also hosts music camps and special events throughout the summer season.
6. Fort Abercrombie
GATEWAY TO THE DAKOTAS
Fort Abercrombie, established in 1858, was the first permanent military fort in North Dakota and served as a gateway to the Dakota territories. Visitors can explore reconstructed buildings including blockhouses and a guardhouse while learning about the fort's role during the Dakota War of 1862. This historic site offers free admission and provides interpretive exhibits that tell the story of frontier military life and interactions with Native American tribes.
7. Gingras Trading Post
FUR TRADE HISTORY
Gingras Trading Post preserves the 19th-century home and trading post of Métis businessman Antoine Blanc Gingras, offering a glimpse into the region's fur trading era. The restored buildings showcase the architectural style and daily life of this important period in North Dakota's development. Visitors can tour the site for free and learn about the complex relationships between European traders and indigenous peoples that shaped the early economy of the region.
8. Cartwright Tunnel and Fairview Lift Bridge
HISTORIC TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING
The Cartwright Tunnel and Fairview Lift Bridge represent remarkable early 20th-century transportation engineering along the North Dakota-Montana border. The 1,458-foot tunnel, completed in 1913, allowed trains to pass through the challenging terrain while the nearby lift bridge facilitated crossings over the Yellowstone River. Today, visitors can walk through the tunnel and across the bridge, which have been preserved as part of a historic walking trail offering unique perspectives on regional development.
9. Dakota Thunder and Frontier Village
WORLD'S LARGEST BUFFALO
Dakota Thunder, the world's largest buffalo sculpture, stands an impressive 26 feet tall and 46 feet long at Jamestown's Frontier Village. The surrounding Frontier Village recreates an authentic pioneer town with original buildings relocated from across North Dakota, including a schoolhouse, church, and general store. Visitors can enjoy this free attraction that celebrates the importance of the American bison to the region's history and the pioneer heritage of the Northern Plains.
10. Standing Rock Hill
SACRED CULTURAL SITE
Standing Rock Hill is a significant cultural and historical site for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, from which the reservation takes its name. The natural formation resembles a seated woman with a child on her back and is tied to important tribal legends and spiritual beliefs. Visitors can view this sacred landmark and learn about its meaning to the indigenous people who have inhabited this land for generations.
11. White Butte
NORTH DAKOTA'S HIGHEST POINT
White Butte stands as North Dakota's highest point at 3,506 feet above sea level, offering hikers a chance to conquer one of the 50 state highpoints. A three-quarter mile trail leads from the parking area to the summit, rewarding climbers with spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding High Plains landscape. The distinctive white clay formations can be treacherous when wet, so visitors are advised to plan their hike during dry weather conditions.
12. Keelboat Park
LEWIS AND CLARK HERITAGE
Keelboat Park features a 55-foot full-scale replica of the keelboat used by Lewis and Clark during their famous expedition through the Louisiana Purchase territories. Visitors can also appreciate the Thunderbird sculpture created by United Tribes Technical College students while enjoying the park's walking paths and trails along the Missouri River. For a more immersive experience, guests can book cruises on the Lewis and Clark Riverboat which operates daily from May through September, including special dinner cruises.
13. The Merc at Long X
HISTORIC TRADING POST
The Merc at Long X preserves the heritage of a historic trading post that served ranchers and travelers in the Little Missouri River Valley. This renovated mercantile offers visitors a blend of history and modern shopping with local crafts, gifts, and North Dakota products. The building's authentic architecture and displays provide insight into the commercial development of western North Dakota's frontier communities.
14. Sibyl Center
CULTURAL ARTS VENUE
The Sibyl Center serves as a vibrant cultural hub in northwest North Dakota, hosting concerts, theatrical performances, and community events in a beautifully restored historic building. Visitors can appreciate the venue's remarkable acoustics and architectural details that have been carefully preserved during its transformation into an arts center. The facility represents the region's commitment to maintaining cultural opportunities in rural communities while honoring its architectural heritage.
15. Sandager Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION AREA
Sandager Park offers visitors a peaceful recreational escape with well-maintained facilities for family outings and outdoor activities. The park features picnic areas, walking paths, and playground equipment in a scenic setting that showcases the natural beauty of northwestern North Dakota. Local residents and travelers alike appreciate this accessible green space as a place to relax and connect with nature throughout the warmer months.