North Dakota is full of places to experience the great outdoors and enjoy an abundance of wildlife in their natural habitats. But did you know that you can visit a game preserve in North Dakota that was established by former president Theodore Roosevelt himself? Over one hundred years later it is still open for visitors – and not only that, but it is entirely free to visit! Take a look for yourself and discover just why a visit to Sullys Hill is one of the most interesting things to do in North Dakota:
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve was established by Theodore Roosevelt in 1904 as a national park, not a game preserve. Later, during the Great Depression, the park was transferred to the USFWS and became a game preserve instead.
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve/Faceboook
Today the preserve encompasses almost 1,700 acres that include wooded areas, marshes, and shoreline along North Dakota’s largest natural lake, Devils Lake. Tons of animals call this place home, including bison.
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve/Faceboook
Elk, deer, prairie dogs, birds of all kinds, and many other creatures can also be found in Sullys Hill. You’re likely to see some while you visit.
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve/Faceboook
The park is great for an outing on a nice day as it has no entrance fees and plenty of recreational opportunities. You can climb the many steps up to the top of the hill itself…
bryonia2015/Tripadvisor
… and be treated with a stunning view. The deck at the top will give you a great vantage point showing the blue waters of the lake and the miles of trees surrounding it.
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve/Faceboook
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve has multiple trails for hiking and a visitors center that has more information about the wildlife here.
NDakotaTransplant/Tripadvisor
A 4-mile auto tour route is also available so you can cruise through the area and enjoy the natural views.
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve/Faceboook
Throughout the year the park offers opportunities for kids to learn about the great outdoors and native North Dakotan animals, and sometimes include fun activities like kayaking or canoeing.
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve/Faceboook
No matter what you do at Sullys Hill National Game Preserve, whether it be just strolling along a trail, enjoying the observation deck, or watching the animals, you’re in for a memorable experience - and a free one at that!
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve/Faceboook
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve/Faceboook
bryonia2015/Tripadvisor
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For more information on visiting Sullys Hill National Game Preserve, including hours and special events, visit the official website.
Did you know that this isn’t the only place in North Dakota that once was a national park but isn’t anymore? There is another lost national park elsewhere in the state, and it’s definitely worth a visit!
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Address: Sullys Hill, Fort Totten, ND 58370, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Things to Do in North Dakota & Related Info January 10, 2023 Jennifer What are some interesting North Dakota attractions? North Dakota doesn’t get enough accolades for its unspoiled landscapes and wild expanses. But unbeknownst to many, this humble state is hiding a world of rugged natural beauty. So much so, in fact, that the state inspired the creation and preservation of America’s first national parks! From sweeping prairie grasslands full of wildlife to vibrant badlands, some of the most beautiful and unique attractions in North Dakota can actually be found hiding in the great outdoors:
Dickinson Museum Center & Badlands Dinosaur Museum, Dickinson Enchanted Highway Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, Mandan Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, Williston International Peace Garden, Dunseith Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, Stanton Lake Sakakawea Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Washburn Little Missouri State Park, Killdeer Maah Daah Hey Trail Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center, Williston National Buffalo Museum, Jamestown North Dakota Heritage Center, Bismarck North Dakota State Capitol, Bismarck Pembina Gorge Plains Art Museum, Fargo Pioneer Trails Regional Museum, Bowman Scandinavian Heritage Park, Minot Sullys Hill National Game Reserve, St. Michael Theodore Roosevelt National Park Turtle Mountain Chippewa Heritage Center, Belcourt Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway
Where can I find fossils in North Dakota? North Dakota is a unique treasure trove of prehistoric records. Larger-than-life fossils, footprints, and geologic records tell the fascinating story of North Dakota’s once tropical ecosystem, where ancient giants walked and where bison now roam. For die-hard paleontology and geology enthusiasts, North Dakota even has an official dinosaur trail! Some of the coolest dinosaur museums and fossil hotspots in North Dakota include:
Barnes County Historical Society and Museum, Valley City Dickinson Museum Center Long X Trading Post Visitor Center, Watford City North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck Paul Broste Rock Museum, Parshall Pembina State Museum, Pembina Pioneer Trails Regional Museum, Bowman Three Affiliated Tribes Museum, New Town
The OIYS Visitor Center
Things to Do in North Dakota & Related Info
January 10, 2023
Jennifer
What are some interesting North Dakota attractions? North Dakota doesn’t get enough accolades for its unspoiled landscapes and wild expanses. But unbeknownst to many, this humble state is hiding a world of rugged natural beauty. So much so, in fact, that the state inspired the creation and preservation of America’s first national parks! From sweeping prairie grasslands full of wildlife to vibrant badlands, some of the most beautiful and unique attractions in North Dakota can actually be found hiding in the great outdoors:
Dickinson Museum Center & Badlands Dinosaur Museum, Dickinson Enchanted Highway Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, Mandan Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, Williston International Peace Garden, Dunseith Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, Stanton Lake Sakakawea Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Washburn Little Missouri State Park, Killdeer Maah Daah Hey Trail Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center, Williston National Buffalo Museum, Jamestown North Dakota Heritage Center, Bismarck North Dakota State Capitol, Bismarck Pembina Gorge Plains Art Museum, Fargo Pioneer Trails Regional Museum, Bowman Scandinavian Heritage Park, Minot Sullys Hill National Game Reserve, St. Michael Theodore Roosevelt National Park Turtle Mountain Chippewa Heritage Center, Belcourt Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway
Where can I find fossils in North Dakota? North Dakota is a unique treasure trove of prehistoric records. Larger-than-life fossils, footprints, and geologic records tell the fascinating story of North Dakota’s once tropical ecosystem, where ancient giants walked and where bison now roam. For die-hard paleontology and geology enthusiasts, North Dakota even has an official dinosaur trail! Some of the coolest dinosaur museums and fossil hotspots in North Dakota include:
Barnes County Historical Society and Museum, Valley City Dickinson Museum Center Long X Trading Post Visitor Center, Watford City North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck Paul Broste Rock Museum, Parshall Pembina State Museum, Pembina Pioneer Trails Regional Museum, Bowman Three Affiliated Tribes Museum, New Town
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
North Dakota doesn’t get enough accolades for its unspoiled landscapes and wild expanses. But unbeknownst to many, this humble state is hiding a world of rugged natural beauty. So much so, in fact, that the state inspired the creation and preservation of America’s first national parks! From sweeping prairie grasslands full of wildlife to vibrant badlands, some of the most beautiful and unique attractions in North Dakota can actually be found hiding in the great outdoors:
- Dickinson Museum Center & Badlands Dinosaur Museum, Dickinson
- Enchanted Highway
- Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, Mandan
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, Williston
- International Peace Garden, Dunseith
- Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, Stanton
- Lake Sakakawea
- Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Washburn
- Little Missouri State Park, Killdeer
- Maah Daah Hey Trail
- Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center, Williston
- National Buffalo Museum, Jamestown
- North Dakota Heritage Center, Bismarck
- North Dakota State Capitol, Bismarck
- Pembina Gorge
- Plains Art Museum, Fargo
- Pioneer Trails Regional Museum, Bowman
- Scandinavian Heritage Park, Minot
- Sullys Hill National Game Reserve, St. Michael
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Turtle Mountain Chippewa Heritage Center, Belcourt
- Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway
Where can I find fossils in North Dakota?
North Dakota is a unique treasure trove of prehistoric records. Larger-than-life fossils, footprints, and geologic records tell the fascinating story of North Dakota’s once tropical ecosystem, where ancient giants walked and where bison now roam. For die-hard paleontology and geology enthusiasts, North Dakota even has an official dinosaur trail! Some of the coolest dinosaur museums and fossil hotspots in North Dakota include:
- Barnes County Historical Society and Museum, Valley City
- Dickinson Museum Center
- Long X Trading Post Visitor Center, Watford City
- North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck
- Paul Broste Rock Museum, Parshall
- Pembina State Museum, Pembina
- Pioneer Trails Regional Museum, Bowman
- Three Affiliated Tribes Museum, New Town
