Bottineau County: Nature, Trails and Memorial Sites

Lake Metigoshe State Park is located in the Turtle Mountains on the U.S.–Canada border. Its forests and wetlands provide habitat for a wide variety of plant, animal and bird species. The Turtle Mountain State Recreation Area features rolling terrain and dense forest cover that together shape its landscape.

Landscape between forest and open views

At Mystical Horizons, astronomical events and the landscape take center stage. Stone and cement structures are designed for observing the summer and winter solstices and the equinoxes. From there, the view stretches across agricultural land west of the Turtle Mountains. At Mystical Horizons, observing the sky and taking in the landscape come together.

Trails and outdoor activities

The Turtle Mountain State Recreation Area has more than 12 miles of motorized trails. They are open to off-highway vehicles, hikers, cyclists, snowshoers and horseback riders. This offers several ways to get around; when planning, you can choose the activity that will shape your stay. The Old Oak Nature Trail is the first National Recreation Trail in North Dakota; the Souris River Canoe Trail is also designated as a National Recreation Trail.

The Peace Garden Trail runs through the Turtle Mountains in north-central North Dakota and connects to the Canadian trail network at Carbury Port and the Peace Gardens. Seasonal conditions can change; check them before your trip. Bottineau Winter Park offers private and group lessons from certified instructors for all skill levels. Lesson availability can vary seasonally; check current availability before your trip.

The Souris River and wildlife watching

The J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge stretches along a 75-mile section of the Souris River in Bottineau and McHenry counties. Activities at the refuge include wildlife watching, hiking, canoeing, photography, hunting and fishing. The Wildlife Observation Walk is accessible, 0.13 miles long and rated easy; it also has an accessible wildlife observation platform. The refuge also has a scenic auto tour; check the refuge’s current notices before setting out.

Memorial sites and history

The Bottineau County Historical Museum features keepsakes from pioneer families and artifacts. The Four Chaplains Monument commemorates four military chaplains who lost their lives during World War II. The museum and monument focus on different things: one highlights family memories and artifacts, while the other commemorates a specific wartime tragedy.

Discover more destinations: Bottineau, Mckenzie County, Eddy County, Mercer, Barnes County, Cass, Williams County, Foster County.

For the main travel overview: North Dakota.