AREA POINTS OF INTEREST

HAHN’S BAY

Located on the west side of Lake Metigoshe. It has primitive campground, water, toilets, boat ramp with dock, fishing pier, picnic shelter, bicycle trail and nature trail.

Twisted Oaks

Located on the west side edge of the Turtle Mountains on Highway 43. It has picnic tables, water, toilets and horse riding corrals.

Strawberry Lake

Located along Highway 43 or 10 miles north and 5-3/4 miles west of Bottineau. This area offers a swimming beach, primitive camping, water, fishing, hiking and mountain biking trail and canoeing.

Mystical Horizons

This 21st Century Stonehenge, dedicated in October 2005, sits at the western edge of Scenic Byway N.D. Highway 43.

The Lake House

The Lake House is a beautifully remodeled establishment located on the shores of beautiful Lake Metigoshe. The indoor/ outdoor space can accommodate 195 guests and is perfect for any event from a wedding or reunion to a casual business meetings.

Lake Metigoshe State Park

Located on Lake Metigoshe 15 miles from Bottineau. It has a public swimming beach and boat ramp, picnic areas, modern and primitive camping areas, weekly amphitheatre programs, guided nature trail hikes and canoe and kayak rental.

Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway

Begin 3 miles north of Rolla and proceed north to St. John. Then travel west on County Highway 43 until the scenic route terminates at State Highway 14. This is an all-paved surface. Total route is 53 miles.

PELICAN LAKE/SANDY LAKE

Located 10 miles north and 5-3/4 miles east of Bottineau on Highway 43. Offers boat docks, picnic tables, toilets, water, fishing and primitive camping.

J. CLARK-SALYER GAME REFUGE

Located 12 miles west and 15 miles south of Bottineau on Highway 14. It has a scenic drive, hiking trail and canoeing on Mouse River. A great variety of wildlife can be seen on this refuge.

International Peace Garden

Located 18 miles east and 13 miles north of Bottineau on the U.S./Canadian border. Home of International Music Camp. Scenic drive through the gardens, conservatory with cacti and succulents, Peace Chapel, Sunken Garden, Masonic Auditorium and 5.3 km of cross-country ski trails.

MARCH 5

Bottineau County Family

Snowmobilers Vintage Snowmobile Show & Ride @ KC’s Dockside 11am - 4pm

JULY 4 Fourth of July Children’s Parade @ Lake Metigoshe

JULY 4 The Lake House Vendor Show 8am - 2pm

MARCH 5

Lions Metigoshe Melt Sponsor Appreciation @ KC’s Dockside

MARCH 16 Marketplace for kids

MARCH 26

Spring Beer Walk Sponsored by Cowboys Bar. Proceeds to benefit Kritter Krazy Exotic Animal Rescue

JULY 16 Landolive Country Music Festival

JULY 21

Music on Main

AUGUST 5-6 Bottineau Crazy Days

AUGUST 6 Car Show & More 2022

AUGUST 6 Conroy Memorial Race @ Thunder Mountain Speedway

APRIL 16

APRIL 18

1st Annual Chamber Easter Egg Hunt

Scholastic Awards

MAY 21 Dirty Turtle Gravel Grinder

MAY 30

JUNE 4-6

Bottineau County Vets Memorial Day Parade

Citywide Rummage Sale

JUNE 9 Music on Main

JUNE 16-19 Bottineau County Fair

JULY 1 Club de Skinautique Show @ Lake Metigoshe

JULY 3 Club de Skinautiques Ski Show @ Lake Metigoshe

AUGUST 13 Club de Skinautique Show @ Lake Metigoshe

AUGUST 18 Music on Main

SEPTEMBER 10 So Stinkin’ Cool Fest

OCTOBER 28 Trunk or Treat 3:30-5:30pm

NOVEMBER 21 Countdown to Christmas begins. Every week until Christmas we will give away $500 in Bottineau Bucks to 2 lucky winners. Register at participating Chamber businesses.

NOVEMBER 22 Tree Lighting 7pm

Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway Mystical Horizons

The Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway in North Dakota begins 3 miles north of Rolla on County Hwy. 43, then goes through St. John to State Highway 14 northwest of Bottineau.

Highway 43 is one of the most picturesque areas in the state. The 53-mile stretch first ascends through the calm, serene beauty of the Turtle Mountains and then descends into the foothills, offering a spectacular view of the prairie. Many of the state’s major tourism sites are located along the highway, including Lions Park at Lake Upsilon, International Peace Garden and Lake Metigoshe State Park, as well as many other museums, parks and sites.

The “Scenic Byway” is denoted in the official North Dakota Highway Map and on the Turtle Mountain Area Map on Pages 16 and 17.

Mystical Horizons is located on the western edge of the Byway near Carbury. The stone structure is a scaled-down, 21st-century version of Stonehenge.

Site-goers can stand on one of the brass pieces while observing the summer and winter solstices (June 21 or 22 and December 21 or 22, respectively) and the fall equinox (September 21 or 22,) all the while with the sun shining directly towards them.

A sundial is also located at the site. Here, visitors can view the position of the sun’s shadow to tell the correct time of the day during Daylight Savings Time from spring through fall. Another feature is the North Star Polaris Sighting Tube, in which individuals can view Polaris, the North Star.

Hit the Trails

Horse Trails

Pleasure riding in the Turtle Mountains is very popular. Several areas with designated horse trails are Wakopa WMA, Strawberry Lake, Twisted Oaks, and Adam Lake, MB. Organized trail riding is available at Cross Roads Range, St. John, ND, and at the Legion Camp at the International Peace Garden.

Trail riders venturing into the Turtle Mountains will find many areas to explore. Winding trails through the wood offer a relaxing, scenic ride. For the adventurous, it is advisable to bring a compass to keep your bearings in the thick woods. Relax and enjoy the peace and quiet in your country retreat by listening to the gentle sounds of nature. Bring along a light snack, coffee or a big feed. Cap off your day with evening campfire at one of the area campgrounds.

BIKING, HIKING & NATURE TRAILS

The most extensive trail system in the Turtle Mountains is the hiking and nature trail. Walking for pleasure and other trail related activities are among the favorite outdoor recreation activities of visitors. Many of the trails provide interpretive sessions, while others offer the beauty and serenity that only nature can provide. There are also extensive unmarked areas which can be hiked or backpacked.

To experience hiking through a tree laden corridor, and smell the clean air of the Turtle Mountains is to become more aware of your environment, and your heritage.

Three of the Turtle Mountains’ most popular trails are Disappearing Lakes, Turtle’s Back (Canada side), and the Old Oak Trail (US side) at Metigoshe State Park.

The Turtle Mountain tracks include Turtle Mountain Trail (35 miles), Strawberry Lake (4 miles), Twisted Oaks (2 miles), Dalen (10 miles), Pelican Lake (4 miles), Hartley Boundary Lake (5 miles) and 20 miles of unmarked trails. Contact North Dakota Forest Service, Bottineau, ND at 701-2282278 for more information on these trails.

The hilly terrain and heavy woodland cover provide a unique landscape in North Dakota. The Turtle Mountain off-highway vehicle (OHV) area is open to motorized vehicles such as dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles and side by sides as well as non- motorized trail users and sportsmen. This area has over 12 miles of trails. The OHV area trail head, youth trail and parking area is located about 6 miles NE of Bottineau and provides enough parking for trucks with large trailers.

Old Oak Trail

Located at Metigoshe State Park, this is North Dakota’s first National Recreation Trail. The trail is approximately three miles long. It will take about 2 hours to hike. If a shorter walk is desired, leave the trail at the halfway point near the east side of the Maid O’Moonshine Campground.

Disappearing Lakes

A lake disappearing before your very eyes... hard to believe? Visit a lake that is vanishing from the landscape by following the Disappearing Lakes self-guiding trail. Winding its way through dense broad-leaf forests, this trail is an easy one-hour walk appropriate for all ages.

ANNIE’S HOUSE HIKING TRAILS

With the support of the ND Outdoor Heritage Fund, Bottineau Winter Park has established over 3 miles of fully accessible hiking trails with Trac wheel chairs and snowshoes available on site. Contact Bottineau Winter Park at 701-263-4556 or go online at skibwp.com for more information.

Biking, Hiking and Horse Riding Trails

Turtle Mountain State Forest

There is no better place to observe the forest resource than on North Dakota’s two State Forests found in the Turtle Mountains. The Turtle Mountain State Forest and Homen State Forest comprise 11,978 acres of public land managed by the North Dakota Forest Service for your enjoyment.

Primitive camping is available at Strawberry Lake, Hahns Bay, Twisted Oaks and Pelican Lake. All campgrounds provide tables, grills, and centrally-located drinking water and vault toilets. During the season campgrounds are patrolled and an overnight camping fee is charged. The campgrounds provide excellent access to over 20 miles of maintained trails. The trails provide opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, snowmobiling, and crosscountry skiing. From the trails you can get a close up look at the forest from the prairie edge to the Canada border.

The varied plant communities found on the State Forests support a variety of wildlife common to North Dakota. Hunting, birding, photography, canoeing, fishing and berry picking are additional activities people enjoy in the State Forests.

For further information contact the North Dakota Forest Service at 701-228-3700.

Peace Garden Trail

Adjoining Trail Highway

Snowmobiling

Paved Road

Gravel Road & Trail County Boundary

The Turtle Mountains is a paradise for snowmobilers, providing spectacular scenery over hundreds of miles of varying terrain and groomed trails, you are destined to have an excellent ride.

All the grandeur of the winter season can be viewed along countless miles of snowmobile trails within the area. Many of the wooded trails are groomed daily, adding comfort to the natural beauty of the wilderness. Witness the splendor of nature while sliding across the crispy snow. Heavy snowfalls in early winter usually ensure long seasons for the snowmobiler as well as the downhill or cross country skier. Winter usually hits the Turtle Mountains two to three weeks earlier and lasts two to three weeks longer because of the higher altitude.

State snowmobile trails open December 1, provided there is at least 4 inches of snow on the trail. The season closes April 1. The Lake Metigoshe/Peace Garden Trail opens December 15 to avoid conflicts with the moose hunting season.

There are approximately 400 miles of groomed trails, mostly in the Lake Metigoshe and Provincial Park area that are groomed regularly throughout the snow season. One of the newer trails leads all the way from Bottineau to the Peace Garden and promises