Barnes County: River, Trails and Bridges

The Highline Bridge is 3,860 feet long and stands 162 feet above the bed of the Sheyenne River. Historic bridges, riverside trails, and cultural sites offer different perspectives on the region in Barnes County—from engineering structures to landscapes and local history.

Between Valley and Water

Valley City is located on Interstate 94 between Fargo and Jamestown. Fargo is less than an hour away, and Jamestown is 30 minutes away. The Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway offers another way to orient your road trip: it begins in Barnes County, north of Valley City, and continues to Lisbon. This lets you explore Valley City and a route that extends beyond the city as different ways of seeing the area.

In the wider region, the Sheyenne River Valley between Baldhill Dam and Lisbon can be up to 330 feet deep and one mile wide. It is the largest meltwater channel in eastern North Dakota, formed about 13,000 years ago by meltwater from the Wisconsin Glacier. These measurements describe the valley's possible depth and width and give you an idea of the geological scale of this landscape.

Trails, Parks, and Seasonal Nature Experiences

The 545-acre Clausen Springs Recreation Area is a Wildlife Management Area and multipurpose recreation area surrounding Clausen Springs Lake. It has a fishing pier and a swimming area. The North Country National Scenic Trail runs along the northern boundary of Clausen Springs Park; a two-mile loop trail also circles the lake. These designated routes offer different ways to enjoy the outdoors—from a lakeside loop to a section of a long-distance trail.

For a different kind of park landscape, visit Little Yellowstone Park, a 27-acre recreation area on the Sheyenne River. A small spring-fed stream flows through the park. Walking trails with small bridges cross the water. The North Country Trail also runs through the center of Valley City, heading north from there to Lake Ashtabula and south to Kathryn. These route descriptions distinguish the trail in the park from its path through the city.

Lake Ashtabula is 15 miles north of Valley City and has three designated swimming areas. In spring and fall, the lake offers views of migrating waterfowl. If you plan your trip around wildlife watching, these seasons are a useful reference point: the mentioned migratory bird viewing is in spring and fall, while the swimming areas appeal to a different interest in the lake.

The Sheyenne River Water Trail comprises 199 continuous river miles from the northern end of Lake Ashtabula to the eastern end of Sheyenne National Grassland. The trail is suitable for kayakers and canoeists. The annual Sheyenne RiverFest, held in August, includes canoeing or kayaking on the Sheyenne River as well as an arts, crafts, and sales show at Chautauqua Park. If you plan to visit around the festival, check the event dates to help plan your trip.

Valley City National Fish Hatchery also offers seasonal activities: during the spring, summer, and fall, visitors can enjoy a nature trail, a pollinator garden, a youth archery range, and a children's fishing pond. Equipment is available to borrow on-site. Along with the trails and waterways, these are additional activities to enjoy during these three seasons.

Bridges, Structures, and Cultural History

The Rosebud Visitor Center offers a self-guided City of Bridges Tour with a History Bridges Guide. Notable structures include the VCSU Footbridge: built in 1901, this three-span suspension bridge is 150 feet long and unique in North Dakota. The West City Park Bridge dates from 1929 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. The Rainbow Bridge was built in 1925–1926, is supported by concrete arches, and was also added to the National Register in 1997.

At 3,860 feet long and 162 feet above the bed of the Sheyenne River, the Highline Bridge adds another perspective on the area's structures. Valley City Pioneer Park is also home to the only fieldstone amphitheater in North Dakota. Together, these sites invite you to look beyond the names of the structures during your stay and notice their different forms, materials, and historical dates.

The Barnes County Courthouse in Valley City is a Neoclassical courthouse dating from 1925. The architectural firm Toltz, King, and Day was commissioned to design the building. Visitors interested in local architecture can consider it alongside the bridges and amphitheater as another facet of the area's built history.

Medicine Wheel Park connects landscape and cultural history. The 30-acre park has a loop trail and a viewpoint. Its large circle measures 213 feet in circumference; the 28 spokes radiating from the center represent the number of days in the lunar cycle. The park also includes twelve Native American burial mounds. These mounds are similar to the kinds of burial sites used by the Plains Woodland Indians 500 to 2,000 years ago.

Museums, Memorials, and Events

VCSU Planetarium is the only planetarium in North Dakota. Its dome is 24 feet high and has 50 reclining seats. Shows range from basic astronomy to how Lewis and Clark used the night sky; admission to the shows is free. The planetarium offers a different focus from the historic outdoor sites, with the sky and astronomy at its center.

The 18,000-square-foot Barnes County Historical Society and Museum is dedicated to the history of Barnes County. On display is “Gundy the Triceratops,” a Cretaceous fossil estimated to be about 65 million years old. In Valley City, interpretive panels also describe the role of the city and Barnes County in the World War II war effort; Valley City is designated North Dakota's only WWII Heritage City. In Veterans Memorial Park, a state historical marker commemorates Herman Stern's work, through which more than 125 Jewish refugees from Germany found a new life in the United States.

Murals also tell stories of local history, culture, and community. The collection in Valley City includes a tribute to Peggy Lee, the City Park mural, and an interactive community mural on Central Avenue. If you'd like to combine your visit with an event, the annual calendar offers two different program highlights: the North Dakota Winter Show takes place every March and includes PRCA rodeo performances, livestock shows, draft horse events, an arts and crafts show, and live entertainment. RiverFest in August features paddling and an arts, crafts, and sales show.

The local offerings also include Brockopp Brewery, where freshly brewed beer is available.

Discover more destinations: Valley City, Burleigh County, Billings County, Stark County, Eddy County, Walsh, Mountrail County, Pierce County.

For the overview of the wider region: North Dakota.