When life seems a little too busy it’s never a bad idea to take a quick break, and sometimes the best cure for stress is simply peace and quiet. If you need an escape to a relaxing, calming place that isn’t an expensive spa day, you might want to consider heading over to one of these spots in North Dakota. Taking a day trip out to these 10 natural oases might just be exactly what you need!
- J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge - Upham
Dan Duchscherer/USFWS/flickr This wildlife refuge is simply beautiful and full of places to explore and get your mind off of things. Many birds and animals can be seen and the scenic views are fantastic. Located 2 miles north of Upham, ND.
- Lake Sakakawea State Park - Pick City
NDPRD/Flickr Even though this park centers mostly around North Dakota’s largest lake, there are other parts of it that feature different parts of the state’s beautiful natural settings. Wooded areas, rolling hills, and more can be found on the trails - all located in a quiet, peaceful area where you can take a deep breath of fresh air and enjoy the views. Located 1 mile north of Pick City, ND.
- Sullys Hill National Game Preserve - Devils Lake
Mark Goebel/Flickr Sullys Hill overlooks North Dakota’s largest natural lake, Devils Lake, and the surrounding forested areas and natural settings. You can take one of the trails and stop at the benches along the way to find a sense of peace and surround yourself with the natural beauty around you. Located 10 miles south of the city of Devils Lake, ND.
- Fort Ransom State Park - Fort Ransom
NDPRD/Flickr Deep in the forests of the Sheyenne River Valley is this quiet and gorgeous state park. You can take a whole weekend off here and stay in one of their quiet, comfortable yurts or cabins and truly escape the hustle and bustle of life for a little while. There are tons of trails to explore, both through the trees and alongside the river, and plenty of ways to enjoy nature. Located 2 miles north of Fort Ransom, ND.
- Turtle River State Park - Grand Forks
NDPRD/Flickr The sound of the flowing river and the gentle breeze through the trees at Turtle River State Park can easily calm and relax just about anyone. Heading out here for a hike or maybe for fishing is a great remedy for any stress, and on top of it all, the sights here are stunning. Located 22 miles west of Grand Forks, ND.
- Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge - Kenmare
Jennifer Jewett/USFWS/Flickr Out in the rolling hills of the prairie and the reflective waters of the Des Lacs Lake is this stunning wildlife refuge. You can hit the trails here and see a part of North Dakota in an untouched, pure form. It’s quiet and beautiful and can both equally relax and amaze you. Located just outside of Kenmare, about 1 mile west off of County Road 1.
- Lake Metigoshe State Park - Bottineau
NDPRD/Flickr Out in the beautiful Turtle Mountains is this stunning state park. Taking a stroll through the dense trees or heading out in a kayak or canoe on the lake itself can help to ease your mind as you focus on the ways of nature around you. Located 14 miles northeast of Bottineau.
- Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge - Moffit
USFWS/Flickr This wildlife refuge is home to hundreds of birds and other species in the wetlands around Long Lake. The wide open skies and quietness of the 22,300 acres of land that makes up the refuge is a great place to just go and escape life for a bit. It is also one of the best places for those who like bird watching. Located 3 miles southeast of Moffit, ND.
- Lewis & Clark State Park - Williston
NDPRD/Flickr Along the shores of Lake Sakakawea is a beautiful state park that is open to the public to enjoy. The rolling hills and bluffs along the lake make for picture perfect scenery and the trails are perfect for any natural getaway. Located 19 miles southeast of Williston, ND.
- Icelandic State Park - Cavalier
NDPRD/Flickr This stunning state park has trails that wind through forests, fields, and right alongside Lake Renwick. You’re able to completely immerse yourself in the nature that surrounds you and forget about everything else for a little while. This park also contains the Gunlogson Nature Preserve with over 200 acres of forest full of unique plants and animals. Located 5 miles west of Cavalier, ND, off of Highway 5.
If you’re looking for more natural places in North Dakota that could be great spots for a bit of relaxation, try these wonderful cabins for an extended stay out in nature.
Dan Duchscherer/USFWS/flickr
This wildlife refuge is simply beautiful and full of places to explore and get your mind off of things. Many birds and animals can be seen and the scenic views are fantastic. Located 2 miles north of Upham, ND.
NDPRD/Flickr
Even though this park centers mostly around North Dakota’s largest lake, there are other parts of it that feature different parts of the state’s beautiful natural settings. Wooded areas, rolling hills, and more can be found on the trails - all located in a quiet, peaceful area where you can take a deep breath of fresh air and enjoy the views. Located 1 mile north of Pick City, ND.
Mark Goebel/Flickr
Sullys Hill overlooks North Dakota’s largest natural lake, Devils Lake, and the surrounding forested areas and natural settings. You can take one of the trails and stop at the benches along the way to find a sense of peace and surround yourself with the natural beauty around you. Located 10 miles south of the city of Devils Lake, ND.
Deep in the forests of the Sheyenne River Valley is this quiet and gorgeous state park. You can take a whole weekend off here and stay in one of their quiet, comfortable yurts or cabins and truly escape the hustle and bustle of life for a little while. There are tons of trails to explore, both through the trees and alongside the river, and plenty of ways to enjoy nature. Located 2 miles north of Fort Ransom, ND.
The sound of the flowing river and the gentle breeze through the trees at Turtle River State Park can easily calm and relax just about anyone. Heading out here for a hike or maybe for fishing is a great remedy for any stress, and on top of it all, the sights here are stunning. Located 22 miles west of Grand Forks, ND.
Jennifer Jewett/USFWS/Flickr
Out in the rolling hills of the prairie and the reflective waters of the Des Lacs Lake is this stunning wildlife refuge. You can hit the trails here and see a part of North Dakota in an untouched, pure form. It’s quiet and beautiful and can both equally relax and amaze you. Located just outside of Kenmare, about 1 mile west off of County Road 1.
Out in the beautiful Turtle Mountains is this stunning state park. Taking a stroll through the dense trees or heading out in a kayak or canoe on the lake itself can help to ease your mind as you focus on the ways of nature around you. Located 14 miles northeast of Bottineau.
USFWS/Flickr
This wildlife refuge is home to hundreds of birds and other species in the wetlands around Long Lake. The wide open skies and quietness of the 22,300 acres of land that makes up the refuge is a great place to just go and escape life for a bit. It is also one of the best places for those who like bird watching. Located 3 miles southeast of Moffit, ND.
Along the shores of Lake Sakakawea is a beautiful state park that is open to the public to enjoy. The rolling hills and bluffs along the lake make for picture perfect scenery and the trails are perfect for any natural getaway. Located 19 miles southeast of Williston, ND.
This stunning state park has trails that wind through forests, fields, and right alongside Lake Renwick. You’re able to completely immerse yourself in the nature that surrounds you and forget about everything else for a little while. This park also contains the Gunlogson Nature Preserve with over 200 acres of forest full of unique plants and animals. Located 5 miles west of Cavalier, ND, off of Highway 5.
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