North Dakota in Pictures: 15 Beautiful Places to Photograph

From the rugged badlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park to the Art Deco State Capitol in Bismarck, the beauty of North Dakota deserves to be captured in pictures.

Enticing historical figures, including past presidents, and the impressive environment carved by the Little Missouri River in Theodore Roosevelt National Park is worth a visit alone. Other opportunities for scenic pictures include Fort Abraham and Fort Ransom State Parks.

Lake scenes abound in North Dakota, too, providing photogenic images at places like the 180-mile Lake Sakakawea and the ominous sounding Devils Lake.

Find subjects for your own breathtaking images with our list of North Dakota’s best places to photograph.

1. Theodore Roosevelt National Park

In western North Dakota, Theodore Roosevelt National Park incorporates badlands, great plains, and colorful painted canyons. Ripe for hiking, fishing, and simply marveling at this unique landscape found few other places in the country, the park is also home to South Unit’s Painted Canyon, which reveals a true palette of color to admire, particularly come sunset.

Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in North Dakota

2. North Dakota State Capitol Building, Bismarck

The North Dakota Sate Capitol is one of the few Art Deco state capitol buildings in the nation. Construction was completed in 1934 during The Great Depression, and its simplistic design sticks high into the horizon. It’s hard to argue about the aesthetics and eye-catching grounds the State Capitol encompasses, especially on sunny days in the summer.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Bismarck

3. Knife River Indian Villages Historic Site

Near the center of the state and Missouri River, the Knife River Indian Villages Historic Site transports tourists into the environment of the indigenous people of the region. Featuring a museum dedicated to the lives and culture of the Hidatsa people, as well as other Northern Plains Indians, this significant cultural site also includes a reconstructed Earthlodge and Hidatsa garden.

4. Fort Ransom State Park

A popular spot for camping, hiking, fishing, and enjoying the changing seasons, Fort Ransom State Park is in the eastern part of the state within the heavily forested Sheyenne River Valley. Two historic homesteads can be toured within the park, and cabins are available for rent. Come winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are both equally popular.

5. Lake Sakakawea

One of the largest bodies of water in North Dakota, the man-made Lake Sakakawea is over 180 miles long and incorporates more shoreline than the entire US western coast. Lining this scenic body of water are numerous state parks, including Lake Sakakawea State Park, where the nearby Government Bay Recreation Area is a great spot to launch a boat into the water.

6. Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Comprising over 4,000 acres in the southern part of the state, Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge hosts hundreds of species of migrating birds each year, including one of the nation’s largest breeding colonies of American white pelicans. Visitors can enjoy the sights and photograph the flora and fauna of this wild area on the various hiking trails that wind along the banks of the lake.

7. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

The oldest state park in North Dakota, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park features riverside cabins, reconstructed military forts, and the unique On-a-Slant Mandan reconstructed village. An escape into nature and a step back in time, hiking and cycling trails lead throughout this state park near Bismarck, and the collection of campsites found near the banks of the Missouri are some of the most scenic in the state.

8. Chateau De Mores State Historic Site

In the western part of the state, just outside the boundary lines of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the Chateau De Mores is a 26-room, two-story mansion built in 1883 with Badland backdrops. Originally a summer home for Marquis de Mores, a famous frontier ranchman and duelist of North Dakota, this stunning building is now open for public tours and living history reenactments.

9. Devils Lake

The name of both the surrounding body of water and the city, Devils Lake is a vacation destination just west of Grand Forks. Fishing, boating, and other water sports define much of the scenic appeal and fun at Devils Lake, though land activities like hiking, hunting, and golf are equally as popular. Great photo opportunities often occur at Devils Lake come sunset.

10. Enchanted Highway North Dakota

A unique touring adventure in the state, the Enchanted Highway receives its name much in thanks to the growing collection of sculptures found on the roadside. Spanning 32 miles between Gladstone and the small town of Regent, the different massive scrap metal sculptures easily catch the eye, providing plenty of opportunity to pull over and snap a picture.

11. Veteran Memorial Bridge, Fargo

An eye-catching entry into the city of Fargo, the Veterans Memorial Bridge spanning the Red River between North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota is a symbol of appreciation worth admiring. Dedicated to the men and women who have served the country, the towering pinnacles of this memorial also include interpretive information on the history of Fargo.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Fargo

12. Fort Buford State Historic Site

On the far western side of the state near Montana, Fort Buford displays authentic remains of a once-bustling frontier military post. Antiques still on display at this decommissioned government fort include cannons, a cemetery, and a museum converted from former officers’ quarters. The vast open acreage surrounding the historic site enables visitors to envision themselves a century back in time.

13. Scandinavian Heritage Park

Visit the Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot for several unique opportunities for pictures. This free-to-tour park houses statues, buildings, and information about each of the five Scandinavian countries: Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Norway.

Unique cultural icons are on display, including a Stave Church, Dala Horse, and a real Stabbur. All these monuments and more pose for brilliant pictures throughout the day.

14. Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site

The Fort Union Trading Post, on the Upper Missouri River on the far west side of the state, was one of the region’s most important fur trading forts, dating back to the early and mid-1800s. Today, it’s operated by the National Park Service and offers a fully immersive visiting experience.

When visiting, you can capture images of many of the still-standing historic buildings, and consult the schedule of events for daily tours, interpretive programs, and activities for children.

15. Red River Zoo, Fargo

Bring your camera and zoom lens for some guaranteed images of wildlife at the Red River Zoo in Fargo. This AZA-accredited zoo specializes in caring for animals that flourish in the cold weather of the Red River region. A few residents include Chinese red pandas and wolves.

Visitors are welcome to take pictures of the animals from the many vantage points offered by the spacious enclosures.