North Dakota has a useful quality for anyone who likes being outdoors: space. Lots of it. Badlands, prairie, lakes, trails, and enough open road between them to make getting there part of the trip. For drivers planning the best outdoor adventures ND has to offer, that also means thinking about what you're bringing along. Camping equipment, fishing gear, bicycles, kayaks, children, dogs, and coolers have an impressive ability to consume cargo space. A capable Ford truck or SUV can make the logistics considerably easier. Here are 5 North Dakota destinations worth pointing the grille toward. Theodore Roosevelt National Park Is the Obvious Choice for Good Reason You could make a North Dakota outdoor list without Theodore Roosevelt National Park, but that would be a little like making a sandwich and forgetting the bread. The park's North and South Units showcase the state's extraordinary badlands landscape, with hiking and horseback-riding trails, scenic drives, Painted Canyon overlooks, and opportunities to see bison, wild horses, elk, and other wildlife. It's also the sort of destination that makes a road trip feel like a road trip. Pack the hiking gear into your Ford Explorer, load the family into an Expedition, or put the camping equipment in the bed of an F-150 and give yourself enough time to explore. Lake Sakakawea Requires a Bigger Packing List Lake Sakakawea is one of the largest man-made lakes in the country, and there are plenty of reasons to bring equipment with you. Fishing is a major attraction, with walleye, northern pike, and Chinook salmon among the species anglers pursue. Boating and kayaking open up even more of the enormous reservoir and its extensive shoreline. This is where the practical advantages of a truck become obvious. If your plans involve towing a boat or hauling coolers, fishing tackle, camping supplies, and everything else that somehow accompanies a weekend on the water, browsing our Ford F-150 inventory or other Ford trucks before the trip may give you a few ideas. Knife River Adds Thousands of Years to the Itinerary Not every outdoor adventure needs to involve scrambling over rocks or getting mud on the tires. Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site combines walking trails and Missouri River scenery with the history of the Hidatsa people. Visitors can learn about the area's earthlodge villages while exploring prairie and river landscapes that have supported communities for generations. It's a worthwhile change of pace on a longer North Dakota road trip, particularly for families who want some history mixed in with the scenery. Sheyenne National Grassland Shows You Another North Dakota Head southeast and the landscape changes again. Sheyenne National Grassland contains tallgrass prairie, wildflowers, and miles of opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The terrain feels very different from the badlands in western North Dakota, which is precisely why it's worth including if you're trying to see more than one side of the state. Mountain bikes also have a funny way of making a compact cargo area feel very compact. Drivers regularly carrying bikes and outdoor equipment may want to compare Ford Bronco Sport, Bronco, Explorer, and other Ford SUV models for the passenger and cargo combination that suits their hobbies. Icelandic State Park Makes the Family Weekend Easy Near Cavalier, Icelandic State Park offers a more relaxed outdoor getaway centered around Lake Renwick. Families can spend their time fishing, swimming, camping, or exploring nature trails, while the park's historic sites add something different to the weekend. It's accessible enough for a family trip without reducing the experience to an afternoon at the neighborhood playground. Pack the cooler, bring enough clothes for North Dakota weather to change its mind, and you've got the makings of a very good weekend. Pick the Destination, Then Pick the Ford The best outdoor adventures ND offers range from badlands hikes to days on the water, and each one places slightly different demands on your vehicle. Before heading west from New Jersey, or planning adventures closer to home, browse the new Ford inventory at Mahwah Ford Sales & Service in Mahwah, NJ. Compare Ford trucks and SUVs, explore models such as the F-150, Bronco, and Explorer, and find the capability that fits the way you travel. When you've narrowed it down, schedule a test drive online and start planning where you'll take it first.
