Visit the Scandinavian Heritage Park
Explore the only outdoor museum honoring all five Nordic countries—walk through the stunning Stave Church and 14 acres of Scandinavian Heritage Park.
Your Guide to Visiting the Scandinavian Heritage Park
Visitors are welcome to walk around this free park all year-round; buildings are not open Oct-April.
Buildings are open from May 17th through September 30:
The Gol Stave Church and Heritage House Museum are open for interior guided tours.
Hours: Mon–Sat from 10 AM to 4 PM (weather permitting).
Paths in the park are wheelchair, wagon, and stroller accessible, though some buildings have stair entrances.
The park is dog-friendly, and pet-waste stations are available. Dogs are not allowed inside the buildings.
Go Inside a Stave Church
Gol Stave Church
One of only 8 full-scale replicas in the United States, the Gol Stave Church is a recreation of a medieval church from Gol, Norway, originally built in the 1200s. Constructed without a single nail, it’s built using a traditional tongue-and-groove technique and features hand-carved Nordic artwork.
This 60-foot-tall structure honors Scandinavian immigrants who, encouraged by the Homestead Act of 1862, left their homelands in search of a new life in North Dakota, where they could claim public land if they were to build a home and cultivate the area.
A Piece of Norway in North Dakota
Sigdal House
Disassembled in Norway, then shipped to the US, and rebuilt by Norwegian carpenters, The Sigdal House is the oldest house in the state of North Dakota. This traditional log home was built in 1771 in Vatnas, Norway and lived in until the 1930s.
If you walk inside or look in the window, you’ll see Sig the Troll, who lives there – snap a photo of him if you’d like.
Stabbur House
The Stabbur House was constructed in Norway, shipped to North Dakota, and reassembled by craftsman Ottar Romtveit. This replica of an 18th-century Stabbur from Telemark, Norway, was designed to keep food cold and dry. They were also a marker for a farm’s wealth and status with their intricate carvings.
A Symbol of Sweden
Dala Horse
Walk under the largest Dala Horse in North America, which stands 27 feet tall and is a tribute to Swedish immigrant culture. These hand-carved, brightly painted horses originated in Dalarna, Sweden, and were once whittled by parents as toys for their children.
Be sure to stop by the Gift Shop inside the Visitor Center, where you can purchase your very own authentic Swedish Dala Horse to take home as a keepsake.
Meet Legendary Scandinavian Figures
Throughout the park, you’ll encounter statues and stories honoring great Nordic figures, including:
- Leif Erickson – The Norse explorer credited with reaching North America before Columbus
- Casper Oimoen – Olympic skier and longtime Minot resident
- Sondre Norheim – Known as the Father of Modern Skiing
Stop to see the Sondre Norheim Eternal Flame, lit from a fireplace in his birthplace in Morgedal, Norway, and transported to Minot in 1993.
Follow the path next to the Stabbur House to the Heritage House Museum – filled with Scandinavian artifacts, many of them brought by immigrants when they came to the area.
Stop in the Visitor Center
Say Hello to Thorvald the Troll
Trolls are legendary figures in Scandinavian folklore, often said to live deep in the mountains or beneath bridges. But Thorvald the Troll is a little different, he’s friendly, photogenic, and welcomes visitors right inside the Minot Visitor Center.
Hand-carved from wood, Thorvald and his intricately detailed bench have become a favorite stop for kids and families exploring the park. Snap a photo with him before you leave and share it with us on social media.
Is North Dakota Your 50th State?
If you saved the best for last, be sure to stop into the Visitor Center and let us know!
You’ll receive a handmade magnet crafted from North Dakota wood, a special keepsake to celebrate completing all 50 states.
Nordic Traditions & Annual Festivals
The Scandinavian Heritage Park is also the location for cultural events and festivals, including:
Syttende Mai – May 17
Celebrate Norwegian Constitution Day with a flag parade, Norwegian songs, and traditional food to open the park for the season.
Midsummer Festival – June 20 & 21
Welcome summer with live music, dancing, vendors, and the nightly bonfire during this FREE fun, family-friendly event.
Light Up the Park – Nov 21
Walk through a festive wonderland as the Scandinavian Heritage Park is lit up with Christmas lights throughout the holiday season.
