The 7 Best Things to Do in Williston, North Dakota (2024)

When is the last time you explored northwest North Dakota? You might think there’s not much there –but a series of small communities offer a lot to explore, both indoors and out. One such place is the town of Williston, North Dakota.

While Williston is home to only around 15,000 people, it is actually the sixth-largest city in North Dakota. While it isn’t on any of the major interstates that traverse the state, it is located along U.S. Route 2and near the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers. For these reasons, Williston has experienced a cycle of booms and busts; today, the city has a lot to offer on top of its historic and storied history.

The 7 Best Things to Do in Williston, North Dakota (1)

If you’re going to pass through this part of northwest North Dakota and considering an extended stop or overnight in Williston, read on. You’ll discover the best things to do in Williston that show how much this community has to offer.

In this post, I promote travel to a destinations that is the traditional lands of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara, Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot / Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ), Michif Piyii (Métis), Assiniboine peoples. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land.

This post was originally published in October 2021, and was updated most recently in August 2023.

Table of Contents

1. Head to Fort Union Trading Post

The 7 Best Things to Do in Williston, North Dakota (2)

Exploring slices of American history is one of the top things to do in Williston. Between 1828 and 1867, Fort Union positioned itself as the most important fur trade post on the Upper Missouri River. Although called a fort, Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site had no connection to the military or the government.

n 1828, John Jacob Astor, the American Fur Company’s founder, built Fort Union at the request of the Assiniboine and other six Upper Missouri tribes. For nearly forty years, the fort was a busy trade spot, where the seven Northern Plains Indian Tribes exchanged furs and buffalo robes for manufactured goods, such as guns and clothing. The peaceful relationship between the tribes and Astor made Fort Union America’s longest-lasting fur trade post one of the most profitable ones.

2. Visit the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center

The 7 Best Things to Do in Williston, North Dakota (3)

The Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center is one of those great things to do in Williston if you’d like to look at the local geography and how it shaped history.

Located half a mile from Fort Buford State Historic Site, the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center documents the history of the confluence of the Yellowstone and the Missouri Rivers and its importance to the indigenous tribes and the Lewis And Clark Expedition. There is a 2,000-square-foot permanent exhibit, Trails, Tracks, Rivers, and Roads, sharing interesting facts and photos of the area.

The interpretive site also features three large murals with quotes from the Lewis and Clark Journals and paintings of the Missouri River landscape by Colonel Philippe Régis de Trobriand, commanding officer of Fort Stevenson near present-day Garrison, N.D., in the late 1860s. Outside you can find spots to enjoy a sprawling view of the mighty rivers.

3. Learn at Fort Buford State Historic Site

The 7 Best Things to Do in Williston, North Dakota (4)

Some travelers argue that Fort Buford State Historic Site is the most interesting historic site in Williston. The historic site tells the story of this fort and the life of the soldiers who called it home.

In 1866, soldiers under the command of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel William G. Rankin started building Fort Buford State Historic Site near the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers. Its purpose was to protect overland and river routes that settlers used when traveling to the West and serve as a major supply depot for military field operations.

A few original buildings still stand, like the cemetery and officers’ quarters. The most impressive place is the room where Sitting Bull gave his rifle to his son to give to the US Army as he surrendered in 1881.

4. Step Back in Time at the Frontier Museum

A visit to the Frontier Museum is one of those activities in Williston that caters to everyone in the family. The museum is a window to the past, showing all about the people who migrated to colonial America and their lives in these lands. While you’ll find typical exhibits and buildings, Frontier Museum has gone to great extents to build an interactive experience.

From April through November, the museum offers self-guided tours where guests enjoy “living history.” You have two major sections: The Old World and America. For both sections, the museum hires actors wearing costumes who illustrate the diverse people and cultures of early America. It’s genuinely engaging, and kids love it!

5. Admire the Wheat Monument

The 7 Best Things to Do in Williston, North Dakota (5)

If you’re wondering what to do in Williston that won’t take much time, visiting the Wheat Monument is an excellent option.

Davidson Park in Williston is home to the Wheat Monument. The giant stalks of wheat are a tribute to the men and women who envisioned Williston as agricultural land and raised wheat and other grain on its prairies. Williston artist, David Njos, designed and built the Wheat Monument. Njos finished his work in 1987. The monument features three 35 feet high iron wheat stalks and three black granite plaques where people engrave the names of area pioneers.

Locals see the monument as a lovely reminder of the strong women and men who made Williston and its economy grow with their labor. To this day, people approach the park’s staff, asking to add names to the monument.

6. Take in the View from Cut Bluff Outlook

The Cut Bluff Outlook is one of the somewhat adventurous things to do in Williston. A historic landmark just east of Williston, the Cut Bluff Outlook commemorates Lewis and William Clark’s campsite from two centuries ago.

You’ll also find information about a family that used to live in the same place in the late 1800s. The site has a kiosk (with all the information about the location), a short trail, and a scenic overlook. The kiosk features a covered eating area with a barbecue pit for picnicking. If you’re on a road trip through North Dakota, Cut Bluff Outlook is a nice and quiet spot to make a stop and relax.

7. Admire Art at James Memorial Art Center

The 7 Best Things to Do in Williston, North Dakota (6)

Lovers of the arts, step inside the James Memorial Art Center and admire local, regional, and international art exhibits in all media. This entertaining museum is in a beautiful Beaux Arts-style building that served as the former James Memorial Library. Their exhibits change every month. So there’s always something new to see.

During non-Covid Times, the museum offered events such as Open Mic Night, Game Nights, and even an Open Studio that allows artists to come in and work on their art in a quiet space! Check out their website to find the latest updates on their exhibits.

Where to Stay in Williston

If you’re sold on spending some time in Williston, you probably need a place to rest after each day of adventure. There are a few dozen hotels, motels, and campgrounds to choose from in the Williston area, but here are a few that caught my eye across the range of travel styles and budgets:

Do you know of other great things to do in Williston, North Dakota? Let me know in the comments!

The 7 Best Things to Do in Williston, North Dakota (2024)

FAQs

What is Williston, North Dakota known for? ›

Williston's economy is built on oil, agriculture, and tourism. It is home to over 200 oil service companies.

Is Williston a good place to live? ›

Living in Williston offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Williston there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Williston and residents tend to be conservative.

Why is the population of Williston, North Dakota increasing so fast? ›

Williams County, North Dakota, is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the state's fracking boom. In the past decade, millions of barrels of oil have been pumped from its land, and the population of its largest city, Williston, has doubled.

Did Eminem ever live in Williston North Dakota? ›

Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers III, is a popular rapper, songwriter and record producer and “is critically acclaimed as one of the greatest rappers of all time.” Mathers spent much of the first two years of his life in Williston , but after the acrimonious relationship between his parents became intense, ...

Can you see the northern lights from Williston North Dakota? ›

If the lights are going to happen in North Dakota, you don't have to worry about going to a particular area of the state. They most likely will be seen statewide.

What is the most expensive place to live in North Dakota? ›

The priciest city in North Dakota is Fargo, where the cost of living is 4% higher compared to the state average and 2% lower than in the rest of the U.S. The cheapest major city in North Dakota is Grand Forks, with a cost of living 3% lower below the state average and 8% lower than the national average.

How much does it cost to live in Williston North Dakota? ›

The total cost of housing, food, child care, transportation, health care, taxes, and other necessities for a single adult in Williston is $37,088 a year — greater than the annual cost of living for North Dakota of $34,638 yet less than the national figure of $38,433.

Is North Dakota cheap to live in? ›

According to research, North Dakota's living cost is 3% lower than the national average. While according to data gathered in 2022 from MERIC, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, the state ranks 25th in a list of states with the lowest to the highest cost of living.

Is Williston still a boom town? ›

Demand for oil has dropped off a cliff, and the price of oil has gone with it. The coronavirus pandemic has made things worse. Williston's boom is over. And the town is struggling with what, looking back, looks like an inevitable decline.

Why people are moving to North Dakota? ›

Balancing a robust agricultural and oil economy, it offers a blend of tranquil rural areas and energetic cities under vast skies. Living in North Dakota means experiencing the changing seasons, from cold, snowy winters to warm, sunny summers, and enjoying outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, and hiking.

What is the fastest-growing city in North Dakota? ›

The fastest-growing city in North Dakota by percent change was Horace, with a 32 percent increase in population from 2022 to 2023. Conversely, Minot experienced the largest population decline among North Dakota cities, losing 316 people.

What is being built in Williston? ›

Construction is well underway at a new housing development on the west side of Williston. Five designer homes are completed or under construction at “The Highlands” and many more could be on the way in 2022. The Highlands is located within Hawkeye Village, a master-planned community just north of Sportsman's Warehouse.

Are pitbulls illegal in Williston North Dakota? ›

City of Williston, ND Pit Bull Dogs. § 4-89 Pit bull dogs: keeping prohibited.

Can you swim in Williston Lake? ›

Visitors can swim at their own risk in Williston Lake, but keep in mind that there are no designated swimming areas. Exercise caution at all times due to a large amount of drifting debris continually emerging from the flooded lake bottom. In addition, strong winds frequently create high waves on the open water.

What is the most famous thing about North Dakota? ›

North Dakota is known for its Badlands, now part of the 70,000-acre Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Roosevelt's journey to the Dakota Territory in 1883 to hunt bison was among his Western ventures that instilled in him a fervor for preservation of natural lands, and ultimately the first national parks.

What is the main product of North Dakota? ›

Amber waves of grain – hard red spring wheat, durum and barley – have long been the mainstay of the North Dakota's agricultural economy.

How far is Williston from the Montana border? ›

The City of Williston is nestled in the northwest corner of North Dakota, just 60 miles from the Canadian border and 18 miles from the Montana border.

What is the most remote place in North Dakota? ›

The North Dakota Remote Spot, at 2.6 miles from a road, resides in the middle of the Mandan, Hidasta, and Arikara Indian Nation. Below is a typical view of this vast landscape. The region is shaped primarily by erosion through a badlands formation.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Manual Maggio

Last Updated:

Views: 6000

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Manual Maggio

Birthday: 1998-01-20

Address: 359 Kelvin Stream, Lake Eldonview, MT 33517-1242

Phone: +577037762465

Job: Product Hospitality Supervisor

Hobby: Gardening, Web surfing, Video gaming, Amateur radio, Flag Football, Reading, Table tennis

Introduction: My name is Manual Maggio, I am a thankful, tender, adventurous, delightful, fantastic, proud, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.