• Aerial photograph of Big Hidatsa National Historic Landmark, located within Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site.

    Knife River Indian Villages

    National Historic Site North Dakota

Natural Features & Ecosystems

Craig Hansen Sunrise

Sunrise lights the sky over the earthlodge.

NPS Photo by Craig Hansen

Extreme weather conditions are the norm in North Dakota. Although most people have heard about the extreme winter weather in North Dakota, most people are unfamiliar with the hot and humid temperatures along the Missouri river valley. These extreme temperatures along with the open prairie create a wonderful canvas for mother nature to paint her impressions on. Beautiful sunrises often spread across both the winter and summer skies spraying the park with a array of colors rarely seen.

Did You Know?

Bow and Quiver

That Plains Indian boys were expected to learn to ride horse as early as four to five years of age and were given a bow and arrow as soon as they were able to walk?