Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway
één dag / 68 mijlen / 3 uur 20 minuten
In a state known for its flat horizons, a dip into a tree-speckled valley with snaking river and winding roadway is a welcome variation. Discover Native American, Viking, and pioneer lore. Explore 27 interpretive sites that include historic sites, trails, bridges, antiques, birds, and starry nights. Quaint towns and farmsteads lend charm to your journey.
Dag 1
9:00 - 3.5 mijlen / 12 minuten - 9:12
Located on the the east side of Baldhill Dam, the site has available camping, a swimming beach, boat launch and a large playground. The Lake Ashtabula Visitor/Interpretive Center is also an interesting part of this recreational area.
9:27 - 0.4 mijlen / - 9:28
Lake Ashtabula and Baldhill Dam
The dam, named for the hills which surround it, was completed in 1951. Lake Ashtabula, which is a Native American word for fish river, is indeed an excellent place to fish and enjoy any watersports.
9:43 - 4.1 mijlen / 8 minuten - 9:51
10:06 - 4.2 mijlen / 8 minuten - 10:15
10:30 - 3.3 mijlen / 6 minuten - 10:37
Originally named Second Crossing of the Sheyenne when the Northern Pacific railroad made its way west, Valley City was built up around the Sheyenne River. Because of its location surrounding the river, bridges became an important aspect of the town. Today, visitors can take a tour of the eight historic and scenic bridges. The tour highlights the diversity of engineering genius merged with architectural beauty. You can get information and start the tour at the Rosebud Visitor Center at 250 Main St. While at the visitor's center, you'll enjoy viewing the 1881 Northern Pacific Superintendent's rail car, complete with original furnishings. Interpretation on the development of the Sheyenne River Valley and the North Dakota Agriculture Hall of Fame make for an interesting start to the tour of bridges. After touring the bridges, visitors can relax with a round of golf at one of the city's two golf courses. Others may wish to explore the Barnes County Historical Society and Museum where they can view early medical appliances and potions, a one-room schoolhouse display, or the shoes of a seven-foot tall, 400-pound early resident of Valley City. Valley City also offers fine examples of Victorian houses, a courthouse with a blend of the classical and colonial revival styles, and the oldest post office still in use in North Dakota. Activities and events delight visitors year-round. The Dakota Soapbox Derby every June allows youngsters the opportunity to race their own soapboxes in a test of skill and speed. Winners go on to compete in the National Soapbox Derby in Akron, Ohio. Visitors of all ages will enjoy the Americana Festival where they can sample old-fashioned ice cream, vendor booths, face painting, karaoke, and more. Every visitor will find something charming in Valley City!
11:07 - 0.2 mijlen / - 11:07
The Rosebud Visitor Center is the information portal for the Sheyenne River Valley. Built to reflect the design of the early railroad era, the site centers on Rosebud, an 1881 Northern Pacific Superintendent's Railcar.
11:37 - 18.2 mijlen / 36 minuten - 12:14
The town of Kathryn was founded in 1900, when the Casselton branch of the Northern Pacific Railroad was built to Marion. The town was named for one of the daughters of C. S. Mellon, president of the railroad. The town has retained its turn of the century charm.
12:29 - 1.3 mijlen / 5 minuten - 12:34
Wadeson Cabin State Historic Site
This hand-hewn oak log home was built in 1878 by Carl Jensen and his nephew John Bjerke, early settlers in the area. The cabin served as a community hall, country store, pioneer home, and, finally, as an icehouse.
12:49 - 0.7 mijlen / 3 minuten - 12:52
Organized in 1887 by Lutheran missionaries Forde and Bothne, the foundation for this church was laid in 1886 and the church completed in 1900. The land for the church and cemetery were donated by Carl Jenson whose cabin was on the adjoining land. The first pioneer to be laid to rest in the Waldheim Cemetery was Jens Bjerke, Carl's father, in 1879.
13:07 - 9.3 mijlen / 39 minuten - 13:46
Theodore P. Slattum was one of the largest landowners in Ransom County. He immigrated to Minnesota from Norway in 1870, then moved here in 1879. His family lived in a dugout until he could build a more permanent home. Seven children were raised in the cabin with two children dying in early childhood. In 1945 the cabin was moved to Fort Ransom Historic Site, where it remained for over 55 years until being moved back to its original location. Visit the Slattum Cabin and see a scene from the life of the Slattums.
14:01 - 2.6 mijlen / 9 minuten - 14:11
Named after a historic frontier fort, the Fort Ransom State Park gives visitors a glimpse into life in historic North Dakota. While the historic fort has been dismantled, Fort Ransom State Park features two historic homesteads, the Bjone House and the Sunne Farm. The Bjone House serves as the visitor center for the park, and Sunne Farm features living history demonstrations. The most famous of these demonstrations is the annual Sodbuster Days Festival, featuring horse-drawn fieldwork, antique machinery, blacksmithing, and home cooking. The Fort Ransom State Park features 887 acres of natural beauty. Experience a wealth of outdoor activities during your visit. The park features five campsites, two of which include facilities for horses. Canoe across the Sheyenne, take a hike, or take a picture. And because the park remains open in the winter, you can also try cross-country skiing.
14:26 - 3.0 mijlen / 6 minuten - 14:32
Fort Ransom State Historic Site
Established on June 18, 1867, this was one of a chain of forts in Dakota Territory built to protect wagon trains on their way to the gold fields of Montana, pioneer settlers, and railroad workers. Its buildings were of log construction and provided quarters for 200 enlisted men and seven officers. The post was protected by two blockhouses, a breastwork of log and sod construction, and a dry moat eight feet deep. When the railroad was constructed farther to the north, Fort Seward was built at Jamestown and Fort Ransom was no longer needed. The fort was abandoned on May 27, 1872.
14:47 - 0.8 mijlen / één minuut - 14:49
This historic district, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1979, consists of the Ransom County Historical Society Museum, the T.J. Walker Mill building, the Mill Dam and the former ice house. The Ransom County Historical Society is housed in a building which was formerly a general store built by T.J. Walker in 1907-08. The foundation contains a large number of the cut stones salvaged from the old abandoned fort buildings. Built in 1881, Tyler Walker started out with a log and rock dam and a saw mill, first sawing lumber for the area settler's homes, then grinding grain for flour and feed for their stock. Tyler Walker continued to operate the mill until 1919, producing "Hold the Fort" brand of flour. Walker also purchased an electric dynamo that provided the first electricity for the valley.
15:04 - 2.8 mijlen / 8 minuten - 15:13
The 509-acre Sheyenne River State Forest was established in the mid-seventies and is managed by the North Dakota Forest Service for multiple use benefits while sustaining the forest and natural resources. The forest is made up of wooded coulees and stream bottoms, steep hillsides, spring fed brooks, scenic overlooks, level upland grasslands and both upland and bottomland hardwood forest types. The Sheyenne River Valley Chapter of the North Country Trail has constructed an incredible new hiking trail crossing the forest from east to west. This trail offers some of the most scenic views in the state. Two backcountry campsites offer primitive camping -- one near a spring that flows out from a hillside beneath a stately basswood tree, and the other next to a small waterfall that flows year-round. This waterfall is North Dakota's only registered waterfall. The Oak Ridge Hiking Trail, constructed in 1982, is about 1.5 miles long and was the first segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail to be certified in North Dakota. Newly completed segments lead from the Oak Ridge Trail to the Martinson Bridge Trailhead (.5 miles), the Mineral Springs trail segment (1.6 miles), and the waterfall segment (0.6 miles). This is a beautiful hike any time of year, but the fall colors make it an especially breathtaking way to spend an autumn morning or afternoon.
15:28 - 13.3 mijlen / 51 minuten - 16:20