Tips for Visiting Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site tells the story of the Hidatsa people, who lived in earthlodge villages along the Missouri and Knife Rivers. Park rangers put together these tips to help visitors make the most of a trip safely.

The path to the earthlodge and garden (Emilee Franklin, NPS).

Mind the time zone

The park runs on Central time, as do the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Fort Union Trading Post. The South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is on Mountain time. Cell service can be patchy and your phone may not switch to local time, and each site keeps its own seasonal hours — so check the NPS app, stop by or call the visitor center if you're unsure.

Dress for the weather

This is the northern Great Plains, where temperatures range from −30°F to 120°F and about 16 inches of precipitation falls in an average year. Check the forecast or ask a ranger before you go. Wear sturdy shoes for the rougher trails, dress in layers, use bug spray against biting insects and watch for ticks.

No camping or lodging on site

There's nowhere to stay in the park itself. Nearby camping includes the Stanton city park, the Army Corps of Engineers Downstream Campground in Pick City, and Lake Sakakawea and Cross Ranch state parks; some may be seasonal. Motels and hotels are available in nearby Hazen and Beulah.

Bring lunch

There are no restaurants in town, though some are about 15 minutes away. The park has picnic tables and a picnic shelter outside the visitor center, and staff can suggest places to eat nearby.

It's free — but passes aren't sold here

There's no entrance fee, which also means the park doesn't sell federal recreation passes. Buy them at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the Dakota Prairie Grasslands Supervisor's Office in Bismarck, the Medora Ranger District in Dickinson, or online — but online passes are mailed as physical cards, not printable, so if your trip is only weeks away, buy one at the site you'll visit.

Bring your dog

Dogs are welcome on trails if they follow the B.A.R.K. Ranger rules, and they can earn a Bark Ranger tag. Only service animals are allowed in the visitor center and earthlodge.

• Bag and remove waste
• Always be leashed
• Respect wildlife
• Know where you can go

Download the NPS app before you arrive

Cell service in rural North Dakota can be spotty. The free National Park Service app, on the App Store and Google Play, lets you download park content ahead of time for offline use — hours and seasons, things to do, self-guided tours, weather and more.

Sources

• National Park Service, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site: "Plan Like a Park Ranger: Top 10 Tips for Visiting Knife River Indian Villages." The imported copy contained seven of the tips.