If you’ve ever seen any pictures of North Dakota (or even visited briefly), it can seem like an endless stream of empty prairie—and not much else, except for maybe a farm or two. It’s true that, although it’s one of the biggest states in the union, it’s one of the least populated, so it can seem kind of empty. But that, along with quite a few other things, is just part of its charm!
I know you’re wondering—what is North Dakota famous for (if anything)? What is North Dakota known for?
North Dakota is famous for its Native American culture, Scandinavian heritage, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. North Dakota is known for several of the largest animal statues in the world, as the Roughrider State, and as the geographical center of North America.
Along with those wide-open prairies and even bigger skies, North Dakota has a lot to offer, with its friendly people, comforting food, and a plethora of wildlife. Here are 26 things North Dakota is known and famous for, aka 26 reasons to visit!
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Table of Contents
1. Theodore Roosevelt National Park
What is North Dakota famous for?
Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, comes to mind first. Teddy Roosevelt wasn’t born in North Dakota, but, thanks to his love of hunting and conservation, spent a good chunk of his life in the state.
North Dakota’s only national park bears his name. The sprawling park protects large swathes of North Dakota’s Badlands (more on this later!) and is famous for the Painted Canyon, the Maltese Cross Cabin (where Teddy himself once lived), and resident wildlife populations, such as elk, deer, bison, and even wild horses.
The herds can be hard to spot, so join this photography tour chasing the wild horses by Viator!
2. The Badlands
Although Badlands National Park is located in South Dakota, North Dakota has its own section of land known as “The Badlands.” These otherworldly geological formations are endless valleys of loose canyons, bumpy hills, strange depressions, little grass, and no water.
They gained the name either from the local Native American word, mako sica, which has been translated to “badlands,” or from the first European explorers, who designated these areas as “bad lands” because they were so difficult to traverse. The best place to visit the Badlands today is at Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
3. Native American culture
The very name “Dakota” comes from the Native American language, Lakota, and translates to “friend” or “ally.” Although most of North Dakota’s native population was forcibly moved or murdered, around 30,000 Native Americans still live in the state.
Most live on one of five reservations: Fort Berthold, Standing Rock, Turtle Mountain, Lake Traverse, and Great Sioux. Each of the distinct tribes has its own traditions and customs that influence North Dakota to this day.
4. United Tribes International Powwow
One of the biggest displays of Native American culture in North Dakota takes place every year at the United Tribes International Powwow. Held annually in Bismarck, the capital, the powwow is one of the state’s most famous, and biggest, cultural events.
The event features over 1,500 dancers and drummers, represents over 70 tribes, and draws over 20,000 spectators each September. The powwow also has market stalls selling Indigenous art, the Miss Indians Nations Pageant, the Parade of Champions, the United Tribes softball tournament, and plenty of delicious food to sample.
5. Scandinavian heritage
Some of the first European settlers in North Dakota came from Scandinavia, and many more followed. Around 40% of the state’s current population is of Scandinavian descent, with the majority from Norway.
As you can imagine, there are many Scandinavian customs practiced throughout South Dakota as a result. The Scandinavian Heritage Center in Minot has replicas of many well-known Scandinavian symbols, like a Norwegian Stave church and a Swedish Dala horse, and hosts a variety of festivals in tribute to the countries of Norway, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, and Denmark.
6. Dakota Thunder
What is North Dakota known for, you may ask?
The world’s largest bison monument, that’s what!
Located in Jamestown, the 26-foot-tall and 60-ton concrete giant is known as “Dakota Thunder.” Created by Elmer Petersen over 50 years ago, the giant buffalo statue remains one of the Midwest’s most popular roadside attractions.
7. International Peace Garden
North Dakota has several nicknames, one of them being “The Peace Garden State.” This comes from the International Peace Garden, which straddles the border of Canada and the United States, with North Dakota on one side and the Canadian province of Manitoba.
The beautiful garden symbolizes the 1932 pledge between the two countries to never go to war with each other.
8. The Roughrider State
North Dakota is famous for being “The Roughrider State,” or “Rough Rider Country.” This nickname can also be traced back to Theodore Roosevelt.
When he assembled the U. S. Volunteer Cavalry Unit to fight in the Spanish-American War, the famous group was known as “the Roughriders.” As so many in the unit came from North Dakota, the name grew to be associated with the state.
9. The Dakota Territory
North Dakota was originally part of the Dakota Territory, established in 1861. The territory originally included much of Montana, Wyoming, all of present-day North and South Dakota, and a chunk of Nebraska.
10. Tied with South Dakota
Originally, in 1889, the Dakota Territory was slated to become its own, single state— “Dakota.” Due to political motivations, namely that one single new Republican state would impact the perceived fairness of upcoming elections, the territory was ultimately split into two. President
11. Most snow angels
North Dakota is famous for many things, including this one very unique record: snow angels. Yep, North Dakota holds the world record for the most snow angels made, simultaneously.
On February 17, 2007, on the state capitol grounds in Bismark, nearly 9,000 snow angels—8,962 snow angels, to be precise—were made all at once.
12. The Flickertail State
Another one of North Dakota’s nicknames is “The Flickertail State.” This refers to the flickertails, or ground squirrels (officially Richardson ground squirrels), that are very abundant throughout the North Dakota prairies.
13. National Bison Museum
The National Bison Museum, located fittingly in Jamestown near Dakota Thunder (the largest bison statue in the world), is dedicated to telling the story of the American bison, also called a buffalo. The museum has many Native American artifacts and a bison herd on site.
14. Cold weather
The prairies of North Dakota are famous for their long, cold, windy, and snowy winters. Out of the top five coldest cities in the United States, two of them are in North Dakota: Grand Forks and Williston, with mean annual temperatures of 39.8 degrees Fahrenheit and 41.5 degrees, respectively. Brr!
15. Salem Sue
There’s a particularly “cow-crazy” town in North Dakota: New Salem. The high school mascot is even a Holstein cow (a typical black-and-white dairy cow)! Fittingly, on the town’s only hill, is the world’s largest Holstein cow (statue).
Known as “Salem Sue,” the cow, another popular roadside attraction in North Dakota, is 38 feet high, 50 feet long, weighs six tons, and had to be built in three separate sections (to enable her to be placed on her hill).
16. Geographical Center of North America
Yet another roadside attraction in North Dakota that the state is famous for (there are a lot of those!), is the “Geographical Center of North America,” located in Rugby. In 1931, when a U.S. Geological Survey proclaimed Rugby the center of the continent, the town quickly built the monument.
Since then, the actual center of North America has been hotly debated, and currently, most accept it to be about 145 miles southwest of Rugby. Nevertheless, the monument still stands.
17. Tater tot hotdish
Like a lot of the Midwest, North Dakota is known for the hot dishes, or casseroles, that are ubiquitous at every holiday and potluck. One of the most famous is the tater tot hotdish, which is a meat and veggies mixture topped in, you guessed it, tater tots!
18. Chippers
One of North Dakota’s famous snacks, invented in North Dakota, is the chipper. They’re simple, yet delicious: a potato chip (preferably locally sourced) covered in a creamy chocolate, traditionally in your choice of white, dark, or light.
You can find chippers all over the state, but the best is at their OG location: Carol Widman’s Candy Company (with shops in Fargo and Grand Forks).
19. Agriculture
It probably won’t surprise you, but North Dakota is one of the biggest agricultural states in the country. A full 90% of the state is farmland or ranches, with the major crop being wheat, although there’s quite a diversity of products produced in NoDak.
Agriculture is responsible for the largest chunk of North Dakota’s economy, and in addition to wheat, there’s corn, soybeans, flax, canola, peas, beans, beets, and potatoes, as well as the livestock industry.
20. Juneberry jam
One of the most prized fruits in North Dakota—and one of the only native fruits you can eat right off the shrub—is the humble little juneberry, also called a Saskatoon berry.
Usually, they ripen in July (despite the name), and the locals play a “hide-and-seek” game to find as many juneberry patches as they can, to make pies, jellies, and jams. You must try a juneberry pie, and bring some juneberry jam home to help spread the love!
21. Taco in a Bag
Chances are, if you’ve been to any North Dakota sporting event, state fair, or festival, you’ve seen the uniquely North Dakota phenomenon of “Taco in a bag.” Sometimes called a “walking taco” or “frito pie,” it resembled a taco salad…but in a bag. Easy for on-the-go!
22. Oil
North Dakota’s most recent “oil boom” took place between 2006, with the discovery of Parshall Oil Field, and 2012. Although less growth has been noted since 2015, the oil and gas industry in North Dakota is still a powerhouse for the state’s economy.
23. Largest producer of honey
In addition to oil and juneberries, wheat, and livestock, North Dakota also produces something a little bit sweeter: honey! Thanks to the particular NoDak climate, it’s the ideal spot to produce honey and is, in fact, the largest producer of honey in the United States.
In 2022, North Dakota bees made around 31 million pounds of honey, valued at over $80 million.
24. “Be Legendary”
One of North Dakota’s slogans is “Be Legendary,” designed to celebrate the intrepid spirit of North Dakota, found in the original inhabitants who lived off the land, the adventurous explorers who survived the elements, and the immigrants from all over the world who brought their traditions and built a life.
“Be Legendary” and celebrate the unique landscape, the complex history, the scenic beauty, and the friendly, real people who live in North Dakota.
25. Cheese buttons
In addition to Scandinavian and Native American heritage, North Dakota has a large number of Polish descendants, which means that some of their most cherished culinary traditions can be traced back to Poland.
One of the most common in North Dakota, “cheese buttons,” are also known as pierogi, dumplings, and so on, depending on the background. North Dakota Cheese Buttons are the state’s official food.
26. Sunflowers
North Dakota is the top producer of sunflowers in the United States, and every August, endless fields of sunflowers blanket the North Dakota landscape. The plants can grow to six feet tall, with flowers that can be as big as your head, and are a spectacular sight. Follow the annual Sunflower Map to see which fields are open to visitors.
Conclusion
Sunflowers and oil and taco-in-a-bag, oh my! North Dakota is a land of adventure and comfort, sunflowers and honey, stark beauty, and, of course, a whole lot of animal sculptures.
Have I convinced you to visit North Dakota yet? If you’ve been to North Dakota, what would you add to this list? Share in the comments below!
I was Born in North Dakota.I plan to Visit Your State when I Retire.I’m looking forward to see all that Your State has to offer.