Basic Information

Physical Address

564 County Road 37
Stanton, ND 58571

Directions

Plane: Closest Commercial Airports are Bismarck (60 miles) Minot (85 miles) Dickinson (102 miles). Hazen, ND (15 miles from site) has an airport for small planes. Car: One-half mile north of Stanton, ND on County Road 37. One hour northwest of Bismarck, ND and one and a half hours southwest of Minot, ND. Public Transportation Charter and tour bus parking available at Visitor Center parking lot.

Directions Details

Operating Hours & Seasons

All Park Hours

• Every Day:8:00 AM–4:30 PM

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.

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. High winds and sunny skies are common in winter. Snow is sporadic in the relatively dry climate, but blizzards are common.

Fees & Passes

Entrance Fee-free

This site is fee-free year-round. No entrance fee or pass is required.

Visitor Centers

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site Visitor Center

The Visitor Center is located off Highway 37 just north of the city of Stanton, ND. The Visitor Center’s entrance is in the shape of a giant eagle welcoming visitors. Once inside, visitors can view the movie, tour the exhibits or shop in our bookstore. Outside and behind the Visitor Center is a reconstructed earthlodge (furnished with replica artifacts in the summer) and the beginning of one of the three trails located at the park.

Current Hours (Winter Hours)

September 2–May 26

• Every Day:8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Winter Hours start on Labor Day and end on Memorial Day. 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Show Standard Hours

Standard Hours

• Every Day:9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Knife River Indian Villages NHS is open year-round. Park trails and grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Dogs are welcome on the trails as long they are on a leash. Summer hours are from Memorial Day to Labor Day. 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Winter hours are from Labor Day to Memorial Day. 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Closures & Seasonal Exceptions

Winter Hours

September 2–May 26

• Every Day:8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Winter Hours start on Labor Day and end on Memorial Day. 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Holidays

2025–2026

New Year's Day	January 1, 2026	Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.	January 19, 2026	8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Washington's Birthday	February 16, 2026	8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Memorial Day	May 26, 2025	8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Labor Day	September 1, 2025	8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Columbus Day	October 13, 2025	8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Veterans Day	November 11, 2025	8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Thanksgiving Day	November 27, 2025	Closed
Christmas Day	December 25, 2025	Closed
Holiday	Date	Hours

Internet & Cellular Access

Public WiFi is available.

Public WiFi is available at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site in our visitor center. Cellular service is available in most nearby communities and along some of the major highways leading to the park. However, areas with low or spotty coverage exist throughout the region. Check with your provider to verify coverage.

Internet & Cellular Access Details

 

Welcome to Knife River Indian Villages NHS

Feed your sense of adventure by exploring the park year-round. Whether you're interested in Native American history, Lewis and Clark, natural history (ornithology, entomology, botany, meteorology, or astronomy), or enjoying picturesque scenery, you can find it here. Learn about operating hours & seasons, fees & passes, and permits & reservations.

 

Park Visitor Center Entrance during summertime. Show the image of the eagle structure on front part of the Visitor Center. Shows the eagle head and talons made of smooth graycement and then brown blocks to represent feathers. Fore ground is the cement walkway to the front door and the background is blue sky with clouds and green trees.