North Dakota Travel – Canoeing Adventures
North Dakota travel has many aspects, but for now, the limelight would focus entirely on one of its most popular activities: canoeing. There’s something about the size of canoes and the simplicity and sleekness of its designs that make canoes a great hit with the more adventurous travelers. When canoeing, superior strength and enduring stamina aren’t the only things you’ll need to reach the end of your journey. A good head on your shoulders is just as important as well as understanding the unpredictable nature of waters.
In North Dakota, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to put your canoeing skills to the test.
Sheyenne River
Boasting of 278 miles of winding waters, canoeing at the Sheyenne River is not for the faint-hearted. Those that do dare to take its challenge, however, will be rewarded with wonderfully diverse sceneries from rich farming lands to hardwood forests and open prairie and lush hills. The best time to enjoy the Sheyenne River is in the months of May to July and canoes may be rented from the Fort Ransom State Park.
Pembina River
For a short but sweet taste of North Dakota’s waters, the Pembina River is the best place to take your canoe to. Although it covers only seventy miles, this hidden gem of a river offers a vastly interesting route. Your canoe ride will pass through miles of lovely forests enveloped in a sense of serene tranquility before sailing past steep banks for additional thrills.
Mouse River
If it’s a visual feast you’re after then you should prepare for a journey to the Mouse River and preferably in the months of May to July. You’ll catch numerous glimpses of North Dakota’s wildlife inhabitants including the white-tailed deer, beaver, and muskrat as well as a couple of raccoons and wood ducks. If you have time for a lengthier exploration, you can also enjoy a tour of some of the river’s unique oxbows.
Little Missouri River
This majestic river is the state’s only State Scenic River and offers canoeists the best view of the North Dakota Badlands. But that’s not the only thing you can enjoy. You’ll also be paddling past plateaus, ravines, and buttes, all of which are resplendent in their own rights. You can access the Little Missouri from any of these three parks: the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the Little Missouri National Grassland, and the Sully Creek State Recreation Area.
If these are not enough, you can also enjoy Devils Lake, the state’s largest natural body of water, the Red River, and Lake Sakakawea.
![]() |
