Outdoors
With wide-open prairies, rolling hills, endless lakes and rivers, and a variety of parks – there’s no shortage of breathtaking scenery to explore. Hike lakeside trails for panoramic views, cast a line and reel in a walleye, or paddle your way down the river. Visit Little Egypt or Lewis and Clark State Park to camp along the beautiful shores of Lake Sakakawea or tee off at some of the state’s top-rated golf courses – including The Links of North Dakota, one of Golf Digest’s “Top 100 Courses You Can Play.”
For those who prefer a bit more horsepower, hit the trails on an ATV or take a scenic drive on one of our many backroads. But that's not all - our wildlife is just as exciting as our landscapes. Keep an eye out for pronghorn sheep, elk, and mule deer – especially if venturing into the nearby North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. And don't forget about our feathered friends - Williams County is a birdwatcher's paradise!
Don't have your own gear quite yet? Check out Arnie's Powersports & Cycle, Lund's Landing, and Lewis and Clark State Park for rentals of boats, kayaks, ATVs, snowshoes and more!
Images: Fishing on Lake Sakakawea (cr. Williston CVB), camping at Blacktail Dam (cr. Williams County), ice fishing fun at Kota Ray Dam (cr. Williams County)
The Basics
Love to hunt, fish, or explore, but don't know where to get started? The links below provide great information about first steps to getting to know the outdoors in Williams County. Need to stock up on supplies? Check out a list of local spots here.
Parks
Big parks, little parks, and parks of all sizes in between - we've got a little of something for everyone. For day use, city and county parks are free to enter, but you'll want to remember your pocketbook for Lewis and Clark State Park and the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Gardening
Our growing season may not be as long as others around the country (Zones 3b - 4a in case you are wondering), but our community is chock-full of green thumbs with home-grown vegetable gardens and blooming flower beds. The NDSU Extension - Williams County often hosts workshops in the spring and summer as does Handy Andy's, a locally-owned nursery in Williston. The NDSU Extension also runs the Master Gardner program if you are looking to cultivate your North Dakota-gardening skills.
Golf
Williams County is home to SIX golf courses. Sure, you can only play a few months out of the year, but the course is a great way to spend a summer day!