Stark County: History, Rodeo, and Trails at Patterson Lake

Stark County brings together cultural history and regional traditions with opportunities to spend time on the water and on hiking trails. As you plan your trip, it’s worth distinguishing between scheduled events, seasonal offerings, and the different routes at Patterson Lake.

Cultural History and Collections

Prairie Outpost Park is dedicated to Czech, Scandinavian, and German-Russian cultures. Its grounds include relocated historic buildings as well as purpose-built ethnic buildings: in total, the park has five historic buildings and six replicas. Guided tours are offered only in summer; schedules and availability vary. If a guided tour is important to your visit, check the dates against your travel plans in advance.

The Dickinson Museum Center is a 12-acre cultural and natural history site. The Ukrainian Cultural Institute focuses on folk art and religious exhibits, as well as a research library. It also displays individually decorated pysanky Easter eggs and embroidered cloths. Varenyky or pyrohy, also called “cheese buttons,” are sold on site; availability may vary.

Further insights into regional history are available at the Joachim Regional Museum, with its ethnic heritage history and art and history exhibits, and at Pioneer Machinery Hall. The latter focuses on objects from the early ranching and farming history of Stark County. The Stark County Veterans Memorial is dedicated to all men and women from Stark County who have served honorably in the United States military.

The Stankard Research Library and the Roosevelt Reading Room at the Theodore Roosevelt Center are open to the public. Visitors can read letters, diaries, and newspapers by and about Theodore Roosevelt there. The center also offers a comprehensive digital presidential library. Together, these attractions range from historic buildings and regional collections to documents for a deeper exploration of Roosevelt.

Rodeo and Summer Events

The Roughrider Days PRCA Pro Rodeo is a summer tradition in western North Dakota. It takes place at Stark County Fairgrounds & Events Park in Dickinson. Events include bull riding, saddle bronc and bareback riding, barrel racing, team roping, and steer wrestling. Since dates vary from year to year and individual events may change, check the dates for your travel year before making plans.

Trails and Activities at Patterson Lake

Boating is available at the Patterson Lake Recreational Area; seasonal operations may vary. Access is via Interstate 94 South, Exit 59. There are several different ways to explore the trails by the lake, which can be distinguished by their length, location, and amenities.

On the recreation area side, a 1.9-mile concrete section of the Crooked Crane Trail has fitness and playground equipment. The trail’s original section is considerably longer, at about 9.6 miles, and has six access points with parking, signage, and trail access. It runs along the south and west ends of Patterson Lake and offers views and opportunities for wildlife watching. The Patterson Loop Trail is a different route: it starts at Dickinson Dam and runs along the north shore of Edward Arthur Patterson Lake. This lets you decide in advance whether the amenities of the shorter concrete path, the longer trail route, or the route along the north shore matters most to you.

Nature and Roads in the Wider Region

The Schnell Ranch Recreation Area lies in the wider region around Stark County and features native mixed-grass prairie, wooded draws, and former pastureland. This landscape provides wildlife habitat. Activities available there include wildlife watching, nature photography, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, camping, and environmental education; some are seasonal.

From Dickinson, the described route to the Schnell Ranch Recreation Area follows Interstate 94 east, State Highway 8 north to Richardton, and then Old State Highway 10 east. Check road conditions before setting out. Another scenic road route, the Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway, connects Mandan and Dickinson over a distance of 100 miles; road conditions should also be checked in advance.

If you’re looking for a hotel in Stark County, variable rodeo dates, guided tours offered only in summer, and seasonal activities may affect your travel plans. Align these priorities with your travel dates before deciding where to stay.

Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Dickinson, Walsh, Lamoure County, Mountrail County, Eddy County, Richland County, Williams County, Bottineau County.

For the broader travel overview: North Dakota.