10 Easy Out-of-County Road Trips From West Fargo, ND
If you live in
West Fargo, North Dakota and you’re itching to get out of town for a few hours, you’re in luck. You don’t have to drive across the state to find fun. There are plenty of
short road trips near West Fargo that take you into nearby counties and across the river into Minnesota.
All of the ideas below are
outside Cass County. So if you’re trying to explore a little farther than the usual spots, this list is for you.
1. Historic Downtown Valley City & the High Line Bridge (Barnes County, ND)
Valley City is about an hour west of West Fargo on I‑94, and it’s a classic small North Dakota road trip.
Stroll around
historic downtown Valley City, then head out to see the famous
High Line Bridge, one of the longest and tallest railroad bridges in the country. Standing near it, you really feel how big those steel trestles are. Trains roll across it like tiny toys.
While you’re there, check out:
- Medicine Wheel Park – walking paths, great views, and neat rock formations that line up with the sun on certain days.
- Scenic Byway overlooks – the Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway has pull-offs with pretty views, especially in fall.
It’s an easy day trip: drive out in the morning, wander the town, grab lunch, and be home by dinner.
2. Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway Drive (Barnes & Ransom Counties, ND)
If you like a relaxed Sunday drive, the
Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway is made for you. Parts of it run through Barnes and Ransom Counties, south and west of Cass.
You’ll wind along the Sheyenne River on curvy roads, pass farms, small towns, and rolling hills that might surprise you if you think North Dakota is totally flat.
On this route you can:
- Stop at Fort Ransom State Park (Ransom County) for short hikes and river views.
- Take photos at old churches, barns, and pioneer cemeteries.
- Pack a picnic and relax at one of the riverside parks.
If you’ve ever said, “There’s nothing to see around here,” this drive will probably change your mind.
3. Fort Ransom State Park & Tiny-Town Exploring (Ransom County, ND)
About 75–90 minutes southwest of West Fargo,
Fort Ransom State Park is tucked into the hills of the Sheyenne River Valley. It feels like a hidden pocket of green.
You can:
- Hike short trails with bluff-top views.
- Rent a canoe or kayak in season and paddle the Sheyenne.
- Bring bikes and ride quiet park roads.
On the way, swing through the village of
Fort Ransom. It’s tiny, but that’s part of the charm. Grab a snack, stretch your legs, and enjoy that “middle-of-nowhere” peace that’s actually not that far from home.
4. Wahpeton & Breckenridge: Twin River Towns (Richland County, ND & Wilkin County, MN)
Head about 50–60 minutes south of West Fargo and you’ll reach
Wahpeton, ND and its sister city
Breckenridge, MN, sitting on the
very start of the Red River.
This is a fun family-friendly road trip near West Fargo. On the Wahpeton side (Richland County), locals love:
- Chahinkapa Park – nice for walking and picnics.
- The famous “Wahpper” catfish statue – a must for a goofy photo.
Cross the bridge into Breckenridge to find the spot where the Otter Tail and Bois de Sioux Rivers join to form the Red River. It’s neat to stand there and realize the river that runs past West Fargo starts right here.
This trip is perfect when you want something different but not too far.
5. Red River Fishing & Backroad Drives (Richland County, ND)
If you’re into fishing or just like river scenery, head south from West Fargo along backroads that follow the
Red River into
Richland County.
You’ll find:
- Small-town parks with easy river access.
- Quiet spots to cast a line for catfish or walleye.
- Open farmland and big skies that make for peaceful drives.
Bring a cooler, camp chairs, and maybe a book. Sometimes the best road trip near West Fargo isn’t about “seeing” a lot—it’s about slowing down and doing almost nothing by the river.
6. Borup & Rural Norman County Backroads (Norman County, MN)
Cross the river into Minnesota and head north on Highway 75 or country roads to reach
Norman County. Little towns like
Borup,
Halstad, and
Perley offer that small-town Minnesota feel just a short drive from West Fargo.
What’s the draw? Honestly, it’s the
simplicity:
- Grab coffee or pie at a local café.
- Walk the main street and check out old buildings and grain elevators.
- Drive farm roads and watch for deer, hawks, and big flocks of geese in spring and fall.
This kind of trip is great if you like photography. Old barns, open fields, and tiny town signs make surprisingly cool photos.
7. Moorhead’s GN Auto Shop & Small-Town Side Trips (Clay County, MN)
You probably know about the big attractions in Moorhead, but Clay County has more to it than just the bigger city areas. One quirky stop for car fans is
GN Auto Shop in Moorhead (Clay County, MN).
It’s a local auto shop, but if you’re into cars, it can be fun to:
- Check out what’s in the lot—sometimes you’ll see classic cars or interesting projects.
- Talk to the folks there (when they’re not swamped) about local car culture.
- Use it as a jumping-off point for a laid-back Clay County backroads cruise.
From Moorhead, wander the county roads toward places like
Glyndon or
Sabin. Roll the windows down, put on some music, and just drive. Not every road trip has to be about a huge attraction; sometimes it’s just about the ride.
8. Hillsboro & the Goose River Area (Traill County, ND)
About 45–60 minutes north of West Fargo,
Hillsboro in
Traill County makes a simple, low-stress day trip.
You can:
- Walk the small downtown and peek into local shops.
- Head toward the Goose River for a quiet riverside break.
- Drive country roads and watch the sun sink over the fields.
If you’re chasing fall colors, the river areas and shelterbelts around Hillsboro can be surprisingly pretty. It’s an easy way to get out of the West Fargo–Fargo–Moorhead bubble for a few hours.
9. Steele County Countryside & Small-Town Stops (Steele County, ND)
Steele County sits northwest of Cass and offers classic North Dakota prairie scenes. Think wide-open roads, old farmsteads, and friendly tiny towns.
On a Steele County loop, you might:
- Stop in a small town café for lunch.
- Explore old churches, cemeteries, and schoolhouses along gravel roads.
- Take sunset photos with endless horizon lines.
If you’ve ever wanted that “middle-of-the-prairie” photo where it looks like the road goes forever, this is where you’ll find it.
10. Barnes County Lakes & Country Churches (Barnes County, ND)
Beyond Valley City,
Barnes County has scattered lakes, rolling hills, and beautiful rural churches that make for an easy day of exploring.
Consider:
- Driving to small lakes for a picnic or quick shore walk.
- Hunting for picturesque country churches to photograph.
- Building a custom loop: West Fargo → Valley City → backroads through Barnes County → home.
If you like to plan your own route, just open a map, pick a few dots (small towns or lakes), and connect them into a big loop. It’s a fun way to turn a free Saturday into a mini-adventure.
Tips for Enjoying These Short Road Trips From West Fargo
To make these
out-of-county day trips from West Fargo more enjoyable:
- Start with a full tank of gas – some rural areas don’t have many stations.
- Pack snacks and water – especially if you’re exploring backroads.
- Download maps – cell service can be spotty in some places.
- Bring a camera – even your phone works great for capturing big skies and small towns.
And maybe most important: keep your plans flexible. The best part of these trips is discovering something you weren’t expecting.
Share Your Favorite Road Trips From West Fargo
Do you have a favorite
short road trip near West Fargo that takes you into Barnes, Ransom, Richland, Steele, Traill, Clay, or Norman County?
- Which of these 10 would you try first?
- Did I miss a hidden gem that locals love?
I’d love to hear your ideas. Drop your suggestions and stories in the comments, and feel free to
share this post with friends or family who are always saying, “There’s nothing to do around here.” You might just inspire someone’s next mini adventure.
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