Pembina County, North Dakota, offers lots of educational and recreational opportunities for the entire family. Whether you want to go hiking, learn about the history of the area, or view fine art, you’ll find just what you’re looking for. Check out these five ways to spend a fun day in beautiful Pembina County.
Icelandic State Park
Paying homage to the many Icelandic immigrants that settled in the area, Icelandic State Park preserves the history of these pioneers as well as letting visitors enjoy the natural beauty of North Dakota. Set on the banks of Lake Renwick, this 912-acre park offers visitors a variety of recreational activities.
During the summer, you can sunbathe on the beach, swim in the lake, try your hand at fishing for pike and walleye, or kayak along the forested shoreline of the lake. The winter months are ideal for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing through the quiet forests that make up a majority of the park.
Stop by the Pioneer Heritage Center to wander through restored historic buildings and the museum filled with artifacts. Check out the exhibits and interactive displays that depict what life was like for early settlers in Pembina County. Hike the 3-mile trail system through the Gunlogson Nature Preserve and keep an eye out for pileated woodpeckers and other native birds.
The Bluebird Trail takes you to the Tongue River where you can see river otter and great blue herons. During the winter, this trail is fun to cross-country ski on. For a long day of adventure in Icelandic State Park, hike or bike the Cavlandic Trail that starts in the town of Cavalier and goes 6.5 miles to the park. You can find Icelandic State Park at 13571 ND-5 in Cavalier.
Pembina State Museum
Learn about the geological and archeological history of the Red River Valley and surrounding area when you pay a visit to Pembina State Museum. The museum has exhibits, displays, and artifacts depicting the daily life of the Indigenous peoples who once lived in the area, as well as pioneers, settlers, and watermen who brought trade and commerce to the Red River Valley.
After spending time exploring the interactive displays, some of which contain fossils and prehistoric tools, climb to the top of the seven-story observation tower where you’ll have sweeping 360-degree views of the valley with its patchwork of farms surrounding the Pembina River.
Before leaving Pembina State Museum, stop in the museum gift store to pick up nature-based gifts to share with friends and family as a reminder of your visit to this amazing and inspiring museum. Stop by the Pembina State Museum at 805 ND-59 Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or on Sunday between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area
Image via Flickr by mara via CC BY-ND 2.0
Pack a lunch, lace up your hiking shoes, and head over to the stunning Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area for a day of outdoor activities. The park encompasses over 2,800 acres in the Pembina River Gorge with views of cliffs, forests, and the Pembina River. You can hike, mountain bike, or ride a horse along the 30 miles of trails maintained by the North Dakota Parks and Recreation team. There’s a section for off-road vehicle use, and kayakers enjoy running the Pembina River through the beautiful gorge.
You can bring your own kayak or rent one from the park. The rental fee includes life jackets and paddles, and for a modest fee, you can get transported back with your kayak from the Brick Mine Bridge or Walhalla. When you bring your horse to ride the multi-use trails, be sure to purchase a horse pass. The proceeds from this fee go towards equestrian trail maintenance.
During the winter, visit Frost Fire Park for alpine-style skiing. The ski resort has one chairlift with seven ski runs. Enjoy a hot meal and beverage at the day lodge, and when available, enjoy a live show at the indoor theater. During the summer, the ski runs are open for downhill mountain biking that will give you an adrenaline-filled adventure. You’ll find the Pembina River State Recreation Area and Frost Fire Park at 101 5th St. in Walhalla.
Cavalier Country Club
Spend the day in the fresh air and sunshine playing golf at the Cavalier Country Club. The golf course is a nine-hole, par 36 course overlooking Lake Renwick. The course is 2969 yards long and has a course rating of 66.6 with a slope of 108, making it ideal for all skill levels.
The grounds were originally established in 1925, and the first clubhouse was built in the 1950s. In 2014, a new 4,000-square-foot clubhouse was built, and today you can relax inside with a meal and a beverage after a day of playing golf. The Cavalier Country Club offers daily green fees as well as cart rentals for your convenience.
North Dakota Museum of Art
Head to 261 Centennial Drive Stop 7305 in Grand Forks to spend the day at the North Dakota Museum of Art. See permanent and rotating art collections and exhibits, and on select days, you can watch the local artists create their works of art. During the summer, you can hear live music. Throughout the year, check out the special exhibits or even submit your own work for the experimental exhibition called Art in Isolation.
The museum offers classes and workshops on topics like paper quilling, sketchbook making, and bookbinding. Either take a self-guided tour or schedule a group tour led by one of the professional museum staff members. After a day of visiting the North Dakota Museum of Art, stop by the museum gift shop to pick up handmade note cards, books, jewelry, accessories, and kitchen items.
Our team at Rydell Cadillac of Grand Forks hopes you enjoy spending the day at one of these local spots. What do you like best about each place? Is there a special thing to do in Pembina County that you can suggest? We would love to hear from you and add your recommendation to our list.
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