Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

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Summer view of Earthlodge
Summer view of Earthlodge
Interior View of Earthlodge
Interior View of Earthlodge
Winter Earthlodge
Winter Earthlodge
Garden
Garden
Sakakawea Village
Sakakawea Village
Photos: National Park Service

About Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

Earthlodge people hunted bison and other game, but were in essence farmers living in villages along the Missouri and its tributaries. The site was a major Native American trade center for hundreds of years prior to becoming an important market place for fur traders after 1750.

Quick Facts

State North Dakota
Designation National Historic Site
State Code ND
Weather Summers are warm and sunny with temperatures occasionally reaching 100 degrees F and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Winters are invigorating, with extremely cold temperatures as low as -35 degrees F. High…

Location & Map

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is located in North Dakota.

Operating Hours

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is open from sunrise to sunset, every day of the year. Even when visitor center is closed, the park itself remains open.

Wednesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Monday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Sunday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Activities

Arts and Culture Craft Demonstrations Cultural Demonstrations Live Music Compass and GPS Geocaching Fishing Freshwater Fishing Food Picnicking Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Hands-On Citizen Science Arts and Crafts Hiking Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store

Getting There

Plane: Closest Commercial Airports are Bismarck (60 miles) Minot (85 miles) Dickinson (102 miles). Hazen, ND (15 miles from site) has an airport for small planes. Car: One-half mile north of Stanton, ND on County Road 37. One hour northwest of Bismarck, ND and one and a half hours southwest of Minot, ND. Public Transportation Charter and tour bus parking available at Visitor Center parking lot.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 564 County Road 37, Stanton, ND, 58571
Phone 7017453300
Email KNRI_Information@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Architecture and Building Archeology Arts Explorers and Expeditions Military Indigenous and Native Warrior Native American Heritage Schools and Education Women's History Animals Grasslands Prairies Scenic Views Thickets and Shrublands Trails

Things To Do

Walk the Village Trail

Walk the Village Trail

Walk down the Village Trail (1.3 mi/2.1km) and see the remains of the Awatixa Xi'e Village (Lower Hidatsa Site) and…

Visitor Centers

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site Visitor Center

The Visitor Center is located off Highway 37 just north of the city of Stanton, ND. The Visitor Center’s entrance is in the shape of…

Hours: Knife River Indian Villages NHS is open year-round. Park trails and grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Dogs are welcome on the trails as long they are on a leash. Summer hours are from Memorial Day to Labor Day. 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Winter hours are from Labor Day to Memorial Day. 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

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