Discover Halliday: History and Landscapes

Halliday brings together the history of a town relocated in 1914 and nearby nature and recreation destinations. Options range from a bay with boat ramps to a 64-mile scenic route. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Halliday, you can first consider whether to focus on local history, time on the water, or a longer drive through the landscape.

Halliday’s Local History

Halliday was established in 1914 when it moved from an earlier site two miles north of its current location. The railroad helped drive settlement; pioneers and businesses later came to the area, which developed into a thriving community. This creates a clear historical sequence: the relocation, the railroad’s role, and the town’s subsequent development. Halliday celebrated its centennial in 2014. Former residents and friends from across the United States came to visit for the occasion.

The Halliday Public Library also connects to a former use of the site: it is located where the Halliday Public School once stood. An October 2025 report noted that the library began operating and welcomed members of the community. The former school site and its current use as a library thus add a specific place to the town’s history.

Lake, Prairie, and Wetlands

Little Mo Campground is located in the Little Missouri Arm Recreation Area on Lake Sakakawea and offers year-round recreational opportunities. The Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge is also nearby. It encompasses 4,034 acres of prairie, grassland, and wetlands. Together, these destinations showcase different aspects of the landscape: the setting around a lake and the open spaces and wetlands of the refuge.

The location description for S&W Mobile Home, RV Park & Campground lists fishing, hiking, boating, and wildlife viewing at nearby Lake Sakakawea. The drive there from the campground’s location is given as about 20 minutes. This estimate refers to the trip from the S&W location; activities at the lake offer a separate way to focus your stay on the water and surrounding area.

In Halliday, S&W Mobile Home, RV Park & Campground rents RV sites by the day, week, and month, as well as long-term rental sites for full-size mobile homes. If you’re considering these options for your trip, check availability before you arrive.

Finding Your Way to Charging Eagle Bay

Nearby Charging Eagle Bay is accessible via a gravel road. From Halliday, travel 12 miles north on ND Highway 8, then 10 miles west on BIA No. 22. The bay has a fish-cleaning station, primitive camping opportunities, and trash receptacles. There is an important distinction between the boat ramps: the main concrete ramp is unusable, while the low-water boat ramp built in 2004 is usable. Check the ramp’s condition before you go.

Scenery and Culture Along the Scenic Byway

Nearby, the Killdeer Mountain Four Bears Scenic Byway is 64 miles long and runs from the Killdeer Mountains to the deeply carved Little Missouri River breaks and badlands. The byway area showcases the culture and history of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara, as well as cowboy and rodeo traditions. Scenic destinations and cultural themes are therefore presented side by side. The route’s length gives you a concrete measure when considering a scenic drive as part of your trip.

When looking for a vacation rental in Halliday, your preferred focus for the trip can be a good place to start: Would you like to learn more about Halliday’s local history, or focus more on activities at Lake Sakakawea and nearby destinations? The places and routes described offer different starting points, without requiring you to combine them into a single outing.

Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Killdeer.

Go to the main travel overview: Dunn County.