Discover Lamoure County: River Landscapes, History and Excursions

Lamoure County combines an impressive river landscape, water destinations and an unusually diverse range of historic places to visit. The Chan SanSan Scenic Backway runs for 35 miles through the James River Valley, from State Highway 46 in the north to the border between LaMoure County and Dickey County in the south. Anyone looking for a holiday rental or holiday home for a varied trip will find opportunities here for nature experiences, culture and excursions with different focuses.

James River Valley and Water Destinations

The Chan SanSan Scenic Backway offers views of a winding river surrounded by tallgrass prairie and wildflowers. Along the route, there are opportunities for boating, including at Heinrich-Martin Dam, in the Limesand-Seefeldt Dam Recreation Area, at LaMoure Dam and at Lake LaMoure in the Cottonwood Creek Recreation Area. This makes it possible to combine a trip through Lamoure County with a range of landscape experiences without limiting your stay to a single attraction.

LaMoure County Memorial Park is located along the bends of the James River. It offers campsites with electrical hookups, showers and restrooms. A kitchen with dining room, a cafeteria, dormitory-style cabins and an auditorium can also be rented. For visitors who like to plan their days around water, river landscapes and regional excursions, the park is a prominent part of the destination.

Anglers will also find specific destinations: Heinrich-Martin Dam has numerous largemouth bass and sunfish, as well as moderate populations of crappie, perch and pike. Lake LaMoure has moderate populations of walleye, pike, crappie, perch and sunfish; it also has a fishing pier. Twin Lakes has numerous walleye and pike, occasional perch and some larger fish.

Historic Places and Unusual Museums

The LaMoure County Museum displays artifacts and memorabilia in five buildings. These include the former LaMoure County Courthouse, a country school and a church. The museum also includes a two-story building and an annex for larger artifacts. The regular season runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend; private tours can be arranged by reservation.

The courthouse itself offers another historic connection: Buechner & Orth were commissioned to design it in 1907, and construction took place in 1909. It can be toured by making an appointment in advance through the office of the LaMoure County Auditor. The Red Wing Paddleboat was built in 1914 to transport passengers and goods on the James River. The Toy Farmer Museum is located in a converted barn dating from the early 20th century.

One of the special exhibition sites is Minuteman Missile. An exhibition there presents a deactivated Minuteman missile resembling the missiles in silos across the Northern Plains during the Cold War. At the Minuteman Missile and Red Wing Boat site, information panels explain the respective subjects. The rare Double Pony Truss Bridge has been restored; a sign at the site provides insight into early life in LaMoure County.

Plan Excursions Based on Your Travel Interests

Depending on when you travel, additional activities are available. The LaMoure County Summer Musical Theatre stages productions in July and August in the historic auditorium of LaMoure County Memorial Park. The North Dakota Farm Toy Show takes place at LaMoure Public School on the weekend of Father's Day. For a sporting addition, Memorial Park Country Club offers a nine-hole golf course along the winding James River. LaMoure City Swimming Pool is located in Sunset Park and is open seasonally from early June until the start of the school year in late August.

When searching for a holiday rental in Lamoure County, you can therefore first determine your preferred travel rhythm: Should the trip primarily follow the Chan SanSan Scenic Backway and the water destinations, or are museums, historic buildings and events the main focus? The time available and your preferred excursions will help determine the right accommodation location within your travel plans. For further orientation, you can also include Lamoure.

Other destinations for travel planning include Bowman County, Mchenry County, Bottineau County, Williams County, Mckenzie County, Dunn County and Ward.

For the broader travel overview: North Dakota.