DAY 1: MINOT

Get caffeinated and take a hike

Stop by The Station: Urban Gourmet to order delicious coffee and breakfast to sip and savor. Then grab your sneakers, hiking boots, or bike and head to Bison Plant Trail, a beautiful 2.3-mile loop located on the outskirts of Minot along Hwy 52. This trail takes just over an hour to complete on foot and dogs are welcome on a leash.

Cool off in the water 

Spend time kayaking on the river; equipment rentals are available from Minot Parks. There are several access points near Minot, including Rice Lake, Nelson Carlson Lake, or the canoe trails at the Lake Darling near the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy the day on the water as you see and hear North Dakota wildlife.

Discover the abundance of wildlife refuges

North Dakota has more wildlife refuges than any other state. There are six wildlife refuges less than an hour and a half from Minot – Denbigh Experimental Forest, wetlands at Audubon and J. Clark Salyer Refuge, grasslands at Upper Souris, and the prairie at Lostwood, which is known for having the highest population of sharp-tailed grouse. 

Get out and golf

Take in stunning views at Beowulf Golf Club. Swing the afternoon away at the 18 holes at Souris Valley Golf Course or the Vardon Golf Club. Try out Footgolf at Apple Grove Golf Course. This sport combines soccer and golf and is one of two courses in North Dakota.

Stand under history

West of Minot, you’ll find the Gassman Coulee Trestle. This railroad bridge was originally built with wooden beams in 1887 and is still in use today. The trestle is a sight to see as its large beams burst from the prairie and connect two large hills together. Bring your camera and wait until the sun sets to capture stunning images.

DAY 2: DEVILS LAKE

Early morning fishing on the beautiful Devils Lake.
Devils Lake offers 160,000 acres to fish from, weather you’re venturing out on your own or you look into hiring one of our local great guide services you are bound to get the fish to bite your hook. There are three accessible fishing piers for those who are wanting to get back on the lake but is difficult to get on the water.

Enjoy lunch on the patio at Proz Lakeside at the Cove.
Proz Lakeside has a full menu of delicious burger, pizza, fish and much more. Come out and enjoy a great meal and a great view of the lake.

Rent a boat to spend the day on the water
Woodland Resort offers a fleet of watercraft for on the water fun. Rental boats and pontoons are available to everyone with a valid drivers license. All rentals come with fuel, life jackets, landing nets, minnow buckets, and are well maintained and guaranteed dependable. Rent by the day, half day, or by the week.

Take a drive out to Grahams Island State Park 
This well-kept park offers 1,100 acres of wooded land that showcases 130 different plant species and is the perfect place for birding. Enjoy hiking in the spring and summer, or cross-country skiing in the winter months. Swim on the beach or fish from the dock. 

Hit some balls at the Creel Bay Golf Course
We have an 18-hole golf course located along the shores of Devils Lake. It is a wide-open course with water and sand hazards and tree-lined fairways. This challenging course will thrill even the most avid golfer. You can even take your clubs up to Coyotte Flats driving range just a ways up the road from Creel Bay Golf Course.

DAY 3: GRAND FORKS

Stop for a light breakfast and specialty coffee at Urban Stampede.
Urban Stampede coffeehouse is a former saloon with lots of character. Check out the tin ceiling, dark wood bar and awesome stone floor. Sip on freshly brewed java while you peruse the “World’s Smallest Art Gallery” and gift shop. 

Rent a bike and ride along the Red River of the North on the Greenway.
The Greenway consists of 2,200 acres lining the Red River and the Red Lake River as they flow through Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.  You can hike, walk, run, rollerblade, bike, bird, canoe, kayak, fish or golf, all in the heart of our two cities. The Greenway includes an all-season trail system, nature preserves, picnic sites and camping areas.

Enjoy the outdoors with lunch on the rooftop of Rhombus Guys Pizza
With two indoor levels and rooftop dining,. Sink your teeth into the “Best Pizza in Grand Forks” In addition to your dining experience, you are invited to events like trivia, karaoke, foosball, live music and more there’s always something going on evenings at Rhombus Guys.