N Dak in June

We are headed from OR to Grand Rapids in northern Minn in late June, family wedding.

Last time we did that drive we took I-94.

We want to visit Yellowstone on way. Wondering how it might wotk to leave I94 at Glendive and got to US2 for trip and any high points on that route

We plan to return through Canada.

we will be traveling with 14 lb pooch so need pet friendly places, though what looking we have done so far probably she will not be a problem. OR tends to be a bit fussy about dogs in some places

Appreciate any help

N Dak in June

I%26#39;ve done both those routes across North Dakota recently and while the highway 2 route isn%26#39;t terribly far out of your way, I%26#39;ll be darned if I can think of any real highlights on either route once one is past Teddy Roosevelt National Park on I-94.

N Dak in June

But we do want to hit Bemidji.

Been to Park Rapids, Wadena, Grand Rapids a couple of times but have missed Bemidji

A faster route and less out of your way to visit Bemidji is to take I-94 all the way across North Dakota until you get just past Fargo (less than 10 miles past). Take highway 336 to highway 10 and follow 10 to Detroit Lakes. At the intersection of hwy 59, turn left and get into the right lane immediately for the turn to hwy 34 to Park Rapids. Go through Park Rapids to the Lake George cutoff (about 1 mile beyond town) and turn left. At the town of Lake George, turn right and follow hwy 71 to Bemidji. From there you can join hwy 2 toward Grand Rapids. From Yellowstone to Detroit Lakes you will be in rolling prairie land. When you leave Detroit Lakes you begin entering the pine/spruce/fir forests. Once you get on hwy 34 and all the way from there to Grand Rapids be careful for the deer that like to cross the road. Be especially careful at dawn and dusk when they are moving the most and are hardest to see.

It all depends on what you like to see. The International Peace Gardens are not too far off of Hwy 2. Devils Lake is along the way as is Minot. If you%26#39;re going to do that though, I would recommend going up before Glendive and hit the Glacier National Park unless you%26#39;ve already been. That%26#39;s the last time I took 2 home was from there and that is definately worth a stop. Then the Peace Garden is a good drive to get to and then Bemidiji would be the next good stop. On your way back, if you%26#39;ve not been, Winnipeg is a great city!

I looked up International Peaces Garden and is pretty country. Is that just a spot or is part of North Dakota like that? Looks a little like Northern Minn. Maybe we can go north from Minot then along to the Gardens if pretty country.

Last time we went we were headed first for Wadena, then from there saw a few of some family (wife)places. Menagha, Park Rapids, Walker, then on to Grand Rapids. from there we drove south to Omaha

So trying to see a few diff places this trip.

We have been to Glacier, but may again on way home, still mulling where to return to the States.

From my recollection, much of northern North Dakota is like that along highway 2, rolling hills, ranch lands west of the Missouri River, farming east. Right on the Canadian border where the Peace Gardens are is a small area of higher hills with aspen trees.

Trees....well not so much. I lived in Minnesota for a number of years and I%26#39;m missing that. Western ND has the rolling hills though and of course the buttes of the badlands. You%26#39;re getting back into Eastern North Dakota on your way to Minnesota, so those buttes and hills won%26#39;t last for long after the Peace Gardens when you are going East on Hwy 2. Our state is only about 3 to 4 hours drive from top to bottom (not across) so it%26#39;s not all that different on Hwy 2 versus I-94 except it%26#39;s smaller towns and more scenic as its not just looking at Interstate. I think the Peace Gardens is a worthwhile trip to see though. It%26#39;s been years since I%26#39;ve been....any Devils Lake advice anyone? That might be something fun to see for these folks, and its right along Hwy 2.

I got NDak State Hwy map in mail a week or more ago. I see they show a Scenic Byway for about 40 miles along the Manitoba border. So we may head north from Miot then return south on 281 towards Devils Lake

Thougfh with price of gas we may pay the big bucks to fly and kennel our pup.

Though I am looking forward to seeing some new country from road.

Several years ago we did take Amtrak across NDak to Chicago, maybe it went along US-2

Yep Amtrak does go along Hwy 2 until Grand Forks, I think, then it goes down to Fargo. We don%26#39;t get amtrak down here in the capital city of Bismarck for some dumb reason. The nearest stop is over 100 miles away at Minot. Buy the airfare soon if you are thinking about it (or watch for the sales)...it is getting expensive to use Northwest out our way. Of course if you just fly into Minneapolis you%26#39;ll have more choices on airlines than ND has....but we would sure love to have you visit our fine state again!!

Yep Amtrak does go along Hwy 2 until Grand Forks, I think. quote from JACombs

That may influence some how we plan, but one thing about Amtrak you gotta go where they go and when. But we went in Feb. we came into Williston 6PM or so, so missed most of NDak in daylight