The town of Minot sprung to life in the winter of 1886 when the Great Northern Railroad had to stop construction for the winter. The town was nicknamed "Magic City" because a tent city of nearly 5,000 inhabitants appeared on the plain seemingly overnight. The town was named after one of the railroad investors, Henry Minot. It was incorporated in 1887. The city got another boost from the railroad industry when the Soo Line Railroad built a line from Valley City into Canada. The construction reached Minot in 1893.
The town later benefited from the Minot Air Force Base construction, which was completed in 1957. The base later became a Minuteman Missile base. Today, the base is home to the 5th Bomber Wing, the 91st Missile Wing, and over 5,000 personnel. The base and agriculture was the area's economic foundation until the oil boom in 2009. The advent of the oil industry in the region created a thriving economy in an era when much of the country suffered economic uncertainty.
While Minot is known mainly as the home of Minot State University, the city has a colorful history and culture for visitors to explore. History fans will enjoy visiting the Scandinavian Heritage Park, which celebrates the early immigrants whose cultures still influence the area. Aviation buffs can take a trip through aircraft history at the Dakota Territory Air Museum. Exhibits include functioning WWII planes, general-purpose aircraft, and other aviation-related items. Relive the railroad history of Minot at the Old Soo Depot Transportation Museum. The Railroad Museum of Minot features a model of the Great Northern Railroad's Gavin Yard that shows visitors how a busy rail-yard functions. Other exhibits include models of historical rail bridges in the area, historical railroad memorabilia, and even some refurbished rolling stock from the early 1900s.
Those who appreciate wildlife and nature can spend a day at the Roosevelt Park Zoo. The park is home to 65 species of indigenous and exotic animals. There is also an aviary and children's zoo in the park. Enjoy a pleasant stroll along the Souris River on the Riverwalk of Minot. The 2.5-mile trail provides a nice river view of old downtown Minot. Visitors can also explore the local shops or have a meal at a downtown cafe.
Campgrounds Near Minot, North Dakota
Bismarck KOA Journey is a full-service campground in North Dakota's capital city of Bismarck. The park's location places visitors close to many of the state's most popular attractions. The park has over 120 tree-lined, standard, and premium campsites with full hookups. Both pull-through and back-in sites are available. Amenities include Wi-Fi, fire rings at some sites, a snack bar, pool, pavilion, dog park, bike rentals, corn hole toss, basketball and tennis courts, a playground, and a dump site.
Camp close to nature at the Icelandic State Park and Campground in Cavalier, North Dakota. The 912-acre park is located on the shore of Lake Renwick. Boating, swimming, and fishing are popular activities. Visit the restored historic building, or have a relaxing picnic under one of the big oak trees. There is also a three-mile trail for hikers to enjoy. The park has 140 pull-through and back-in RV sites with electric and water hookups. There are also group and primitive campsites available.
The Jamestown, North Dakota area is home to the world's largest buffalo statue, bison herds, and some of the state's best hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. The Jamestown Campground has 30 RV campsites. There are RV sites with water and electricity and others with just electricity. Both pull-through and back-in sites are available. The park has 25 acres of walking paths and an open recreation area. Other on-site amenities include covered picnic tables, showers, and a laundromat.
State Parks Near Minot, North Dakota
See some of the last undeveloped portions of the Missouri River at Cross Ranch State Park. The 5,000-acre park features 16 miles of trails that traverse prairies, river bottom forests, and bison habitats. Launch a boat onto the Missouri River for a day of sightseeing or fishing. The riparian habitats along the river host a variety of water-loving birds, amphibians, and other wildlife seeking water. The park has 36 RV sites with electric hookups and 21 primitive sites.
Explore the Badlands in Little Missouri State Park by hiking, biking, and horseback riding on one of its 45 miles of scenic trails. Most of the park is accessible only by foot or horseback. Watch for mule deer, coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. Golden Eagles and several other raptors frequent the area. The park has 28 campsites with electric hookups. Other features include vault toilets, showers, picnic tables, horse accommodations, and a dump site.
The oldest state park in North Dakota is the Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park near Mandan. The park is home to several historically and culturally significant features. An ancient Mandan Native American Indian village, a historic cemetery, the reconstructed buildings of a military barracks, and the house of George Custer are available for visitors to explore. Hike, bike, or horseback ride the extensive trail system that traverses the park. There are 82 campsites with water and electricity, 15 with only water, and four equestrian sites.
National Sites Near Minot, North Dakota
Get a taste of the life lived by Native Americans who lived near the Knife and Missouri Rivers at Knife River Indian Village National Historic Site near the town of Staton. Follow the two easy trails to explore three villages from different periods. For further information, visit the Knife River Indian Village Museum in Stanton.
In the late 1800s, Fort Union was an important trading post on the Upper Missouri River. Experience frontier life at the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site near Williston, North Dakota. Visit the Trade House to learn about the post's history and importance to frontier life. Take a short hike to view the Missouri River up close. Check the site's calendar for special events and the annual Indian Arts Festival.
For a high-tech adventure, visit the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site near Philip, South Dakota. The site reveals the secret hiding place of one of the 1,000 Minute Man missiles on standby from the 1960s into the early 1990s. Gaze down on the 80-foot-tall Delta-09 missile from the glass canopy. Take a guided tour of the Launch Control Center. Check out the exhibits, and learn about the Minuteman system at the visitor center.
National Forests Near Minot, North Dakota
The Little Missouri National Grassland was once part of the Custer National Forest. Today, the 1,000,000-acre preserve is part of the Dakota Prairie Grassland, a National Forest Unit consisting entirely of National Grasslands. Hike the trails from 15 trailheads within the facility. Mountain bikers can take to the trails from seven mountain bike-dedicated trailheads. RVers can find nearly 100 campsites in four campgrounds throughout the grassland. There are no hookups. Some of the campgrounds have water on a seasonal basis.
The Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota consists of 1.2 million acres of forest-covered hills and mountains. The Black Hills is an island of trees surrounded by plains. The forest boasts 11 reservoirs along with 26 picnic areas to choose from. During your visit, you can explore 1,300 miles of streams and 353 miles of trails. Unique activities include rock climbing in Spearfish Canyon and the Wrinkled Rock Climbing Area. Mountain biking is available from over 40 trailheads. Over 30 RV-accessible campgrounds are scattered throughout the forest.
The Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota was the first national forest east of the Mississippi River. Extensive stands of pine groves are the identifying feature of the forest. The national forest consists of about 660,000 acres of land, and there are 3,000 points of archeological and historical significance. Water lovers will enjoy exploring the 1,300 lakes and 925 miles of streams. Unique activities include snow sledding, tubing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Ice fishing is also popular late in the winter. Twenty RV campgrounds vary from rustic with no facilities to electricity and flush toilets.
