National Historic Site

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is a National Historic Site in North Dakota. The NPS currently lists 0 active alerts, 0 campgrounds and 1 visitor center, and no entrance fee.

North Dakota National Historic Site No entrance fee

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 9:51 AM EDT · NPS Data API

Summer view of Earthlodge — Earthlodge · Photo: NPS photo (via nps.gov)

About the park

“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.”

— National Park Service, nps.gov/knri

Active alerts

Closures

Campgrounds

Visitor centers

Current alerts and closures

The NPS listed no active alerts for this park in the Oct 28, 2026 snapshot. Conditions can change; check current conditions on nps.gov before you go.

Entrance fees and passes

This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.

Things to do

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 Awatixa Village (Sakakawea Site). There is a loop at the second village site that includes a walk along the Knife River.

15-90 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed

Hiking

Activities the NPS lists for Knife River Indian Villages.

Arts and CultureCraft DemonstrationsCultural DemonstrationsLive MusicCompass and GPSGeocachingFishingFreshwater FishingFoodPicnickingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingHands-OnCitizen ScienceArts and CraftsHikingJunior Ranger ProgramWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPark FilmMuseum ExhibitsShoppingBookstore and Park Store

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.

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

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.

Contact and directions

Phone: 7017453300
Email: [email protected]
Address: 564 County Road 37, Stanton, ND 58571
Coordinates: 47.3540, -101.3861· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

Visitor center	Standard hours	Phone	Passport stamp
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site Visitor Center	Daily: 9:00AM - 5:00PM	701-745-3300	Yes

Campgrounds

No NPS campgrounds are listed for this site. Nearby national forests or state parks may offer camping.

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More parks in North Dakota

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail North Country National Scenic Trail Theodore Roosevelt National Park All in North Dakota

Nearest other NPS sites

Sources

Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/knri/index.htm
Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.