Riding North Dakota
North Dakota motorcycle rides: Badlands, byways and big sky
North Dakota motorcycle rides are quieter than the Black Hills to the south, but they're real: Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Badlands near Medora, the Enchanted Highway's giant sculptures, the Killdeer Mountains and river valley byways in the east. Ride May through September, respect the wind and know that lane splitting isn't legal. Here's the guide.
- Main season
- May to September
- Helmet law
- Some riders
- Lane splitting
- Not legal
- Rippin' price
- Free
Why ride North Dakota
Why North Dakota motorcycle rides surprise people
North Dakota has a reputation for flat. The east is flat. The west is not. The Little Missouri Badlands carve deep, colorful country around Medora, and the roads there are empty and beautiful.
The west (Medora, Dickinson, Watford City, Williston) holds Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the Killdeer Mountains and Lake Sakakawea. It is also the Bakken oil country, with heavy truck traffic.
Central North Dakota (Bismarck and Mandan) sits on the Missouri River. The north has the Turtle Mountains near the Canadian border. The east (Fargo, Grand Forks, Valley City) is the Red River Valley, with the wooded Sheyenne River valley a welcome break from the farmland.
Best roads
The best motorcycle roads in North Dakota
Well-known paved routes. Theodore Roosevelt National Park charges an entry fee and has had long road closures for repairs, so check the park before you go.
- South Unit Scenic Loop Drive (Theodore Roosevelt National Park)From Medora into the Badlands with bison, wild horses and prairie dog towns. Sections have been closed for long road repairs in recent years, so check the park's road status before planning the full loop. Watch for bison in the road.
- North Unit Scenic Drive (Theodore Roosevelt National Park)South of Watford City, an out-and-back drive to the Oxbow Overlook above the Little Missouri River. Quieter than the South Unit. Watch for bison on the road.
- Enchanted HighwayFrom the I-94 exit at Gladstone south to Regent, past a series of giant metal sculptures along the road. Easy riding and a one-of-a-kind stop. Watch for cars stopping suddenly at the sculptures.
- Killdeer Mountain Four Bears Scenic Byway (ND 22, ND 23)Killdeer north through the badlands to New Town and the Four Bears Bridge over Lake Sakakawea. Big views. Watch for oilfield trucks.
- Old Red Old Ten Scenic BywayBetween Dickinson and Mandan along the old Red Trail and old US 10, through small towns like Richardton and New Salem. A relaxed alternative to I-94. Watch for farm equipment.
- Native American Scenic Byway (ND 1806)South from Mandan along the Missouri River past Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park and into Standing Rock. River bluffs and history. Watch for deer and few services.
- Sheyenne River Valley Scenic BywayAround Valley City, Lake Ashtabula and south toward Fort Ransom through a wooded river valley. Some of the few real curves in eastern North Dakota. Watch for gravel on rural roads and farm traffic.
- Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway (ND 43)Through the Turtle Mountains near Bottineau, with lakes and forest, and close to the International Peace Garden on the Canadian border. Watch for deer and slow traffic in summer.
When to ride
When is motorcycle season in North Dakota?
May through September is the season. June brings green Badlands and long days. July and August are warm, with thunderstorms and hail. September is crisp and calm, with fall color in the river valleys.
Winters are long and severe, so most bikes are stored from late fall to spring. Early spring roads can carry sand and frost damage.
Harvest season in late summer and fall puts wide farm equipment on rural roads. Slow down over hill crests where a combine could be on the other side.
Laws
North Dakota motorcycle laws: helmets and lane splitting
Helmets. North Dakota requires helmets for some riders, mainly younger riders; the age and conditions are set in state law. See the IIHS helmet law overview for the current rule. Whatever the law says for you, wear one.
Lane splitting and filtering. As of 2026, North Dakota law doesn't allow lane splitting or filtering. Several states are changing their laws, so check before you ride.
This is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Laws change, so check the North Dakota statute or the state DMV before you ride.
Events
North Dakota motorcycle events and the riding calendar
The biggest rally in the region is the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota every August, about a day's ride from Bismarck. Many North Dakota riders go, and many riders headed to Sturgis pass through Medora and the Badlands. Check the organizer for dates. The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride runs in cities around the world in May.
Most weeks, the riding calendar is bike nights, meets, charity rides and toy runs. Rippin' puts them on one events map covering the whole US, so you can find what's near you and RSVP. Riders can post their own meets, and shops and clubs can host recurring meets and official events with Organizer Pro. See motorcycle events in Rippin'.
Live from the app
North Dakota on Rippin' right now.
0 upcoming events and 0 rider-added roads in North Dakota on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
No North Dakota events are on the Rippin' map yet. Know a bike night, rally or charity ride? Post it in the app under Meets, or have the organizer add it, and it shows up here and on the map for every rider nearby.
No North Dakota roads are in the app yet. Add the one you love from Segments and a person on our team checks it before it goes live. How roads get added.
Local knowledge
North Dakota riding tips
- Wind is constantOpen prairie means strong crosswinds. Stay loose on the bars and expect gusts when you pass trucks or clear a hill.
- Oilfield trafficAround Watford City, Williston and the Bakken, heavy trucks fill the roads. Expect dust, gravel on the shoulder and big vehicles turning.
- Deer at duskDeer are common in the river valleys and along tree lines. Slow down near dusk and dawn.
- Bison and wild horsesIn Theodore Roosevelt National Park, bison and wild horses stand on the road. Give them space and never approach.
- Long gaps between townsServices are spread out in the west. Fill up before heading into the park or the Killdeer Mountains.
Rippin' in North Dakota
The free motorcycle app for North Dakota riders
Rippin' is free on iPhone and Android. Tap Record Ride once, pocket the phone and ride. You get route, miles, moving time, elevation and speed, then a Ride Wrapped recap.
Turf. Close a loop and the land inside becomes your turf on the live map. North Dakota's grid of rural roads makes loops easy, and almost the whole state is unclaimed. Empty land is free to claim. See Turf Wars.
Passport, poker stops and roads. The passport and badges stamp every town you ride through, and North Dakota has a lot of small towns. Riders collect poker cards at real stops, and North Dakota cafes, bars and shops can join through partners. Riders can add a road for the team to check.
Squads and events. Bring your crew with squads and find meets on the events map.
Honest note: Rippin' started in Southern California and North Dakota has very few riders and roads in the app so far. The map is open for whoever shows up first.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in North Dakota?
The roads through Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Badlands near Medora are the highlight. The Enchanted Highway and the Killdeer Mountain Four Bears Scenic Byway are close behind.
When is motorcycle season in North Dakota?
May through September. June and September are the best months for weather and scenery.
Is lane splitting legal in North Dakota?
As of 2026, North Dakota law doesn't allow lane splitting or filtering. Several states are changing their laws, so check before you ride.
Do you have to wear a helmet in North Dakota?
North Dakota requires helmets for some riders, mainly younger riders; the age and conditions are set in state law. Wear one anyway.
Is there a free motorcycle app for North Dakota riders?
Yes. Rippin' is free on iPhone and Android with ride recording, turf, poker runs, passport stamps, events and squads.
Where are motorcycle events in North Dakota?
Bike nights and meets are on the Rippin' events map, where riders and shops post them. Many riders also head to Sturgis in South Dakota in August.
Be first on the North Dakota map.
Download Rippin' free, record a Badlands loop and claim turf nobody owns yet.