Barnes County: Bridges, River Landscape and Culture

River Landscape, Bridges and Special Places

Barnes County combines the landscape of the Sheyenne River with a remarkable collection of bridges, historic sites and cultural attractions. A good starting point for planning your trip is Valley City: The city is located on Interstate 94 between Fargo and Jamestown. Fargo is less than an hour away, while Jamestown is 30 minutes away. This location makes traveling there easier and leaves room to tailor your stay around nature, history or regional excursions.

The Sheyenne River also shapes the range of experiences available. The Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway begins in Barnes County north of Valley City and continues to Lisbon. In the broader surrounding region, the Sheyenne River valley can be up to 330 feet deep and one mile wide. It was formed by meltwater from the Wisconsin Glacier about 13,000 years ago and is the largest meltwater channel in eastern North Dakota. This makes it an appealing landscape for a road trip, with its character particularly easy to appreciate along the route.

Nature Experiences at the Lake and on the Trails

Clausen Springs Recreation Area contains a 545-acre Wildlife Management Area and multipurpose recreation area surrounding Clausen Springs Lake. The North Country National Scenic Trail runs along the park’s northern boundary, and a 2-mile loop trail circles the lake. A fishing pier and a swimming area add to the options for a day by the water.

Little Yellowstone Park is a 27-acre recreation area on the Sheyenne River. A small spring-fed stream flows through the park, and hiking trails cross small bridges. Those who prefer longer distances will find a different perspective on the North Country Trail: It runs through the center of Valley City and leads north to Lake Ashtabula and south to Kathryn.

Lake Ashtabula is 15 miles north of Valley City and has three designated swimming areas. In spring and fall, the lake also offers views of migrating waterfowl. The Sheyenne River Water Trail covers 199 continuous river miles from the northern end of Lake Ashtabula to the eastern end of the Sheyenne National Grassland and is suitable for kayakers and canoeists. Sheyenne RiverFest in August combines paddling trips with an arts, crafts and sales exhibition at Chautauqua Park.

History and Culture in Valley City

Valley City can also be explored through its architecture and historical themes. The VCSU Footbridge is a three-span, 150-foot suspension bridge built in 1901 and unique in North Dakota. The West City Park Bridge dates from 1929 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. The Rainbow Bridge was built in 1925–1926, is supported by concrete arches and was also added to the register in 1997. The Highline Bridge is 3,860 feet long and stands 162 feet above the bed of the Sheyenne River.

For the self-guided City of Bridges Tour, the Rosebud Visitor Center offers a History Bridges Guide. Other cultural attractions include Medicine Wheel Park, with a 30-acre park, a loop trail and a viewpoint. The large circle measures 213 feet in circumference; its 28 spokes represent the number of days in the lunar cycle. The park includes twelve Native American burial sites, whose mounds correspond to the type of cemeteries used by the Plains Woodland Indians 500 to 2,000 years ago.

The Barnes County Historical Society and Museum devotes 18,000 square feet to the county’s history and displays “Gundy the Triceratops,” a Cretaceous fossil estimated to be about 65 million years old. Valley City is also designated as North Dakota’s only “WWII Heritage City”; information panels explain the role of Valley City and Barnes County in the war efforts of World War II. Murals on local history, culture and community, including a tribute to Peggy Lee, the City Park mural and an interactive community mural on Central Avenue, provide further highlights. Freshly brewed beer is available at the local Brockopp Brewery.

Which Accommodation Fits Your Travel Plans?

When searching for a vacation rental or vacation home in Barnes County, it helps to define your priorities clearly. Travelers who want to explore the bridges, museums, murals and history of Valley City will plan differently from those focused on waterways, swimming areas, birdwatching or hiking routes. For a road-trip itinerary, the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway is a focus in its own right; for active days, options include the North Country Trail, the loop trail at Clausen Springs Lake or the Sheyenne River Water Trail.

More destinations at a glance: Cass, Dunn County, Mountrail County, Williams County, Stutsman, Traill County and Bottineau County.

For the higher-level travel overview: North Dakota.