Dakota Zoo
PO Box 711
Bismarck, North Dakota 58502
Phone: (701) 223-7543
The Dakota Zoo is North Dakota's largest zoo, with 500 reptiles, birds and mammals representing 125 species. There are prairie dogs, mountain lions, bison and other animals native to the region. But that's not all you'll see at this zoo. There are exotic animals from throughout the world, such as aoudads and yaks.

Fargo Red River Zoo
4220 21st Ave. S.
Fargo, North Dakota
Phone: (701) 277-9240
Fargo's Red River Zoo opened in the summer of 1998. Its eight acres of land makes the perfect home for animals native to the Northland. This zoo also has small animals from around the world, such as the pygmy marmoset and poison-dart frogs, as well as domestic animals that can be petted, such as the African pygmy goats Vietnamese potbellied pigs and South American llamas. There's even a Chinese Red Panda, porcupines, black-tailed prairie dogs, deer and much more.

Roosevelt Park Zoo
PO Box 538
Minot, North Dakota 58702
Phone: (701) 857-4166

Chahinkapa Zoo
1004 R.J. Hughes Drive
Wahpeton, North Dakota 58074
Phone: (701) 642-8709
Chahinkapa Zoo is one of four North Dakota zoos and home of the Rodger Ehnstrom Nature Center, an outstanding wildlife museum. Chahinkapa Zoo is committed to provide a clean and green natural home for its animal residents and aesthetic and educational leisure for its zoo visitors. The zoo includes over 60 species of animals and birds in a colorful environment of natural displays. Otters, bison, elk, lemurs, waterfowl, pheasants, raptors, black bears, zebras, llamas, wallabies, gemsbok, ostriches, gibbons and farm animals make the zoo their home.

National Parks

Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Medora, North Dakota
Phone: (701) 623-4466
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is in the colorful North Dakota badlands and is home to a variety of plants and animals, including bison, prairie dogs, and elk. Activities include Auto Touring, backpacking, biking, bird watching, boating, camping, cross country skiing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, nature walks, snowshoeing, stargazing and wildlife viewing.

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
Stanton, North Dakota
Phone: (701) 745-3300
The 1,758 acre site preserves historic and archaeological remnants of the culture and agricultural lifestyle of the Northern Plains Indians. Self-guided walking tours of three historic village sites. A visitor center with museum,15 minute orientation film that provides the visitor with an aerial view of the earthlodge rings and tell the story of the Hidatsa people that lived there. A furnished Hidatsa earth lodge behind the Visitor Center. The paths on site provide the visitor with bird watching, wildlife viewing, fishing and picnicking opportunities. There are 11 miles of trails through natural areas and cultural sites. Winter activities include cross-country skiing on groomed trails.

Museums

Dakota Dinosaur Museum
200 Museum Drive
Dickinson, North Dakota
Phone: (701) 225-DINO
This 13,400 sq. ft. museum houses several thousand rock, mineral and fossil specimens including complete real Triceratops skeleton. Other recent additions to the central display include a Velociraptor sculpture, an Archaeopteryx and Compsognathus sculpture. New exhibits in 2000 include eggs carved from minerals and petrified wood display.

Theme Parks, Amusement Parks & Water Parks

Raging Rivers WaterPark
2600 46th Ave. Southeast
Bismark/Manden, North Dakota 58544
Phone: (866) 663-3393
Raging Rivers Waterpark and SpeedWorld Golf & Games is a family entertainment complex offering a full day of family fun featuring five major attractions...a water park, sprint car & grand prix go-cart tracks, mini-golf and video arcade, all located in a safe and friendly atmosphere. Raging Rivers Waterpark and SpeedWorld Golf & Games are located off the Bismarck Expressway at the McKenzie Exit in Bismarck/Mandan, North Dakota.

If you know of an Amusement or Water Park in North Dakota, let us know and we will add it here.

Family Activities

If you know of a family activity in North Dakota, let us know and we will add it here.

Summer - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Beaches, Lakes, etc.)

Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge
Stanley, North Dakota
Phone: (701) 250-4418
Lostwood, featuring an auto tour, is located near the Souris River. Here, visitors can view the graceful, wind-swept beauty of unbroken prairie, just as the settlers saw it a hundred years ago. This is probably the best example of mixed-grass prairie pothole lands remaining in the United States.

Lake Sakakawea - Boating, water sports, fishing and camping. The lake extends from just southwest of Wellington near the Montana border to Audubon Lake just northeast of Riverdale. Several state parks and recreational areas are located all along this large lake. The far eastern portion of the lake leads into Audubon Lake but is divided by U.S. Route 83. This area is located 70 miles north of Bismarck off of U.S. 83 and North Dakota State Route 200.

Bowman-Haley Lake - Boating, fishing and camping. This lake is on a former Sioux hunting ground of plains and treeless slopes. Located 24 miles southeast of Bowman off U.S. 85.

Long Lake - Boating and fishing. This lake is broken into several small lakes. Located 8 miles south of Steele south of I 94.

Zoos, Museums, National Parks listed above. During summer months the Winter Vacation spots listed below also offer mountain biking, golfing and other activities. Visit the Ski resort area links below to find out summer activities.

Winter - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Ski Resorts, etc.)

Bottineau Winter Park
501 11th Street West
Bottineau, North Dakota 58318
Phone: (701) 263-4556
Bottineau Winter Park offers great skiing and snowboarding with its nine runs and snowboard half pipe. A toboggan hill is available for those who prefer a slower low-profile run. Bottineau Winter Park offers a chair-lift, T-bars, a full range of rental equipment and a snack bar. Lake Metigoshe State Park offers facilities for a variety of winter activities including groomed cross-country ski trails, ski rental and warming houses, a sledding hill (bring your own sled), and groomed snowmobile trails.

Bears Den Mountain
270 Mill Rd
Fort Ransom, North Dakota 58033
Phone: (701) 973-2711

Frost Fire Mountain
7 Miles West of County Rd 55
Walhalla, North Dakota
Phone: (701) 549-3600
Frost Fire offers skiers a choice of a double chair or a triple chair, snow boarders terrain park, and beginners slopes to challenging slopes for skiers of all ages. Frost Fire provides the only gorge skiing in North Dakota.

Zoos, Museums, National Parks, Theme, Amusement and Water Parks listed above.

Helpful websites and services

If you know of a website or company that is helpful to families traveling to North Dakota, let us know and we will add it here.

Travel Specials & Vacation Packages

(specials are updated weekly)
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