Your Next Mini-Vacation: Exciting Day Trips for Bismarck Residents

When you live in Bismarck, you don’t need to hop on a plane for a vacation or a thrilling adventure. There are many incredible destinations within driving distance, depending on what kind of fund you want to pursue.  

Whether you want to drive from Bismarck to Dickinson to visit the Dickinson Museum Center & Badlands Dinosaur Museum to learn about the massive animals that once roamed the plains or drive from Bismarck to Minot to see living animals at the Roosevelt Park Zoo, you can easily find something memorable within driving distance of Bismarck.  

Read on for some of our top suggestions for attractions nearby that are worth a road trip!

Surrounded by State Parks 

When leaving Bismarck, you could drive in any direction and eventually find an incredible state or federal park. There are beautiful, wild places all over North Dakota, just waiting for you to discover them! 

Icelandic State Park 

If you leave early in the morning, you can complete the trip to Icelandic State Park in time for a lunch there. Located about 4 hours and 15 minutes northeast of Bismarck, Icelandic State Park is home to Lake Renwick and Gunlogson Nature Preserve. It sprawls over 912 acres, offering boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking in the summer, with picnic areas available. In the winter, there are trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. 

Old Mill State Park  

A slightly longer drive to the northeast will cross the border into Minnesota. After a little more than 4.5 hours on the road, you’ll arrive at Old Mill State Park in Argyle, Minnesota. History buffs will enjoy exploring the old log cabin and steam-powered flour mill that gives the park its name. The property was once a homestead more than 100 years ago. Today, it’s a wild space with a swimming area on the Middle River, a swinging bridge, and a campground. Birdwatchers and those interested in beavers may find the local wildlife enchanting.  

Buffalo River State Park 

Buffalo River State Park is also in Minnesota, but it is a roughly three-hour drive to the east of Bismarck. This grassy, open park preserves beautiful prairie lands and is home to both an impressive assortment of wildlife and stunning seasonal wildflowers. This prairie preserve is the perfect location for a scenic picnic. Fishing and camping, as well as hiking along the Buffalo River, are activities to enjoy once you arrive.  

Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge 

If animal watching is the plan, consider driving northwest into Montana. After about 4 hours and 20 minutes on the road, you’ll reach Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The rolling plains of this refuge help preserve local wetlands and grasslands. Migratory birds and local wildlife live and travel through this refuge that sprawls over more than 11,300 acres. There are public roads through the refuge and an auto tour. If you want to take in an incredible view, head to Refuge Headquarters. There, you can climb the 99-foot watchtower (most of the year) for an unparalleled view! 

Hartford Beach State Park 

To the southeast, a roughly 4.5-hour drive can bring you to Hartford Beach State Park in South Dakota. During the warmer seasons, there are showers and flush toilets here. The park offers boating and canoeing, as well as fishing and swimming. There’s space for volleyball, paddleboard rentals, checkout snowshoes in the winter, and even a disc golf course. You can easily turn a day trip to Hartford Beach into a weekend trip, as they have RV campsites and cabins for rent.  

Adrenaline-Fueled Amusement Park Destinations 

There are a few smaller amusement park options in the Bismarck area. Super Slide Amusement Park in Bismarck is a popular option, as is Raging Rivers Waterpark a few minutes away in Mandan. Those hoping to visit larger amusement parks may need to drive a bit farther.  

Rush Mountain Adventure Park 

If you can handle about 5 hours and 20 minutes on the road, Rush Mountain Adventure Park in South Dakota could be a thrilling excursion! There are cave tours that allow you to see caverns and cave formations, including the Big Room at Rushmore Cave. This subterranean space is home to more stalactites than any other single room in the Black Hills. The amusement park also boasts a 3,800-foot mountain coaster, a seated zipline ride, an interactive 3D ride that is like a live-action video game, challenge courses for visitors of all ages, and a concession stand.  

Splashers of the South Seas 

If you prefer to stay in the state, a 3.5-hour drive can bring you to Splashers of the South Seas, an indoor water park in Grand Forks. This resort water park has 40,000 of heated space for excitement and relaxation. There are multiple fast slides for visitors of all ages to enjoy, as well as tamer options for young swimmers. The facility also has an indoor lazy river for floating and relaxing. There is also an arcade and a restaurant.  

Turtle Island Indoor Waterpark 

You could also head north for about three hours to visit Turtle Island Indoor Waterpark. Located close to the North Dakota/Minnesota border, this park has three waterslides, a lazy river, a children’s play area, and an activity pool. There is also an arcade, a movie theater, and three different spots to buy food, drinks, and coffee.  

Roadside Sights Worth Visiting 

There are many drive-by locations when you want a day trip from Bismarck, ND. If you love art and want to enjoy a road trip where the drive is the destination, consider traveling the Enchanted Highway.  

Beginning near Gladstone on I-94 and covering 32 miles, this drive is dotted with large, creative metal sculptures. From the World’s Largest Tin Family to Pheasants on the Prairie, the towering metal sculptures offer road trip fun and opportunities for treasured photos. There’s even a gift shop near the end of the road in Regent to commemorate your journey! 

National Buffalo Museum 

If you want to learn more about the largest prairie mammals, consider heading east to Jamestown, where the National Buffalo Museum explores natural history and the storied history of human interactions with North American bison. There are live buffalo herds nearby, as well as Dakota Thunder, the world’s largest bison statue, which stands 26 feet tall! You can continue your trip to drive from Bismarck to Fargo, with Jamestown in the middle as a fun rest stop.  

New Salem 

For a shorter trip, consider driving west for about a half hour. In New Salem, you’ll find Salem Sue. She’s a 36-foot-tall Holstein cow statue made of fiberglass who overlooks the lush grasslands surrounding her. You can also visit the New Salem Historical Society & Custer Trail Museum.  

Find Where You Belong at River Ridge 

After a long day or weekend on the road, you want to come home to comfort. That’s exactly what you can expect when you live at River Ridge Apartments in Bismarck, ND. Our 1, 2, and 3-bedroom homes are the perfect landing place after a long day on the road.  

Of course, with amenities like an indoor pool, a hot tub, a private fitness center, and a BBQ/picnic area, you can also make your own adventure right here in Bismarck. If you’re looking for a space that’s conveniently-located and that can elevate your daily life, schedule a tour at River Ridge Apartments to find where you belong!