Lake Sakakawea
Lake Sakakawea is one of the three largest man-made reservoirs in the United States. Located on the Missouri River system, Lake Sakakawea was formed to serve the area of western North Dakota with hydroelectric power, irrigation, and flood control, as part of the Garrison Dam project. Originally named Garrison Lake State Park, the name was changed in 1965 to honor the brave Shoshone woman who accompanied explorers Lewis and Clark on their search for the a water route to the Pacific Ocean in 1805-06.
Sakakawea (or sometimes called Sacagawea) was 16 years old when she, her husband Toussaint Charbonneau, and infant son set off with Lewis and Clark from Fort Mandan near the Knife River villages. The French-Canadian trapper Charbonneau had been hired as an interpreter, but Sakakawea proved an invaluable traveling companion. In Montana, they came across a Shoshone camp that happened to be led by Sakakawea’s brother. The guides and horses they were able to acquire from the Shoshone tribe helped the expedition to cross the Rocky Mountains. In addition, her presence and the presence of the baby indicated to other tribes they encountered that they were on a peaceful expedition. Clark later commended Sakakawea to her husband and noted that she deserved a far greater reward than they were able to give to her.
Adjacent to Garrison Dam, the 1,293-acre Lake Sakakawea State Park offers plenty of recreational opportunities, including hiking trails, picnic and camping areas, a full-service marina, boat rentals, and a convenience store. Salmon fishing is a popular sport and several fishing derbies are held on Lake Sakakawea each year. Nearby attractions include the Lewis & Clark Visitor Center, Garrison Dam and Fish Hatchery, the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, the Coal Mine and Power Plant tours, and the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge.
The North Country National Scenic Trails is a 3,200-mile trail that stretches from upstate New York to Lake Sakakawea State Park. There it joins the route of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. The trail has a 1.3-mile segment within the park boundaries.
International Peace Garden
At the border between the United States and Canada on the longest north/south road in the world lies the International Peace Garden. The garden stretches for 3.65 miles along the border between Manitoba and North Dakota where ND Hwy 3 meets Manitoba 10. Established in 1932, the International Peace Garden stands as a symbol of peace and friendship between the two nations.
The beautiful gardens cover 2,339 acres and feature over 150,000 flowers. Each year the combinations and the displays are fresh, except for the floral displays representing the American and the Canadian flags. The garden also features an 18-ft high working floral clock, trickling fountains, reflecting pools, and terraced walkways. Chime bells, gazebos, and sunken gardens offer special touches. A Peace Chapel sits on the border, flanked by tall towers. A September 11th Memorial was added to the International Peace Garden in 2002. Ten, ten-ft girders from the World Trade Center wreckage lie at rest at the International Peace Garden.
A café offers indoor or take-out dining (to picnic on the grounds). The North Loop Drive passes several scenic picnic areas set amongst pine and birch groves. The scenic loop also passes by the Ducks Unlimited Dam, Lakeview Hiking Trail, and Lake Lottawatta. A pavilion sits on the shores of Lake Stormon. The entire International Peace Garden is a wildlife refuge, and offers hiking trails, winding bike paths, winter cross-country ski trails, and campgrounds. The Peace Garden hosts two youth camps every summer, the International Music Camp and the Legion Athletic Camp. It is also a popular attraction for reunions, conventions, weddings, and wedding receptions.
The International Peace Garden is located north of San Haven and Dunseith, on North Dakota US 281 (or ND 3), and south of Boissevain, Manitoba on Provincial Highway 10. Visitors to the garden are not required to pass through customs to access the park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt was 24-years old when he arrived in the Dakota Territory on a hunting trip. The trip spawned an interest in the cattle business and he ended up investing in the Maltese Cross Ranch. A year later, he returned and established the Elkhorn Ranch. He was later to note that; “I never would have been president if it had not been for my experiences in North Dakota.” After his death in 1919, talk began of establishing a memorial in his honor. The memorial was selected to center around his cattle ranching days. Medora, North Dakota, in the midst of the Little Missouri Badlands, was selected to host the memorial.
With help from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the Works Projects Administration (WPA), and Emergency Relief Administration (ERA), construction began on roads, trails, picnic areas, campgrounds and buildings. In 1946, it was dubbed Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge. In 1947, President Truman signed the bill that created Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park, the only memorial park of its kind in the National Park System. Finally, in 1978, the long-coveted national park status, deserved for its cultural and natural resources, was granted and it was designated as Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
The park covers 70,447 acres and is divided into three units: South Unit, North Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. The park’s diverse landscape contains the ever-changing badlands, wide-open prairie, and the Little Missouri River. The badlands are excellent for viewing elk, bison, and wild horses. One of the largest petrified forests in the U.S. is within the park, and it is a prime place to locate ancient fossils. The South Unit of the park features a scenic 36-mile loop road with interpretive signs along the route highlighting the park's historical and natural features. There are over 100 miles of trails in the park. Other activities include bicycling, bird and wildlife watching, canoeing and kayaking, cross country skiing, fishing, horseback riding, snowshoeing, and more. Guests can participate in Ranger-led programs, visit Roosevelt’s cabin, or take a self-guided nature tour.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is open daily year round. The visitor centers are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. The South Unit (Medora) Visitor Center, at the entrance to the park, offers a museum, theater, and information desk. The museum includes some of Roosevelt’s personal items and ranching artifacts. The Maltese Cross Cabin behind the visitor center is open for tours. (There are no surviving buildings of the Elkhorn Ranch, but the site is available for touring.) The other visitor centers are the North Unit and the Painted Canyon centers. The North Unit center may be closed some weekdays October through May. The South Unit Scenic Loop Drive and North Unit Scenic Road may face closures in the winter due to snow and ice.