Fort Buford Ghost Walk Offers a Different Look at North Dakota History

October will be here next week, which means it is time to test your wits, question what is real and maybe see a familiar place in a whole new light.

The annual Ghost Walk returns to Fort Buford State Historic Site near Williston on Saturday, October 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

Presented by the Fort Buford Sixth Infantry Regimental Association, the Ghost Walk gives visitors a chance to explore the historic site after dark while hearing some of the lesser-known stories connected to the old fort.

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History, Mystery and a Little Eerie Atmosphere

By lantern light, visitors will hear tales drawn from documented events, frontier hardships, unexplained encounters and the people who once lived and worked at Fort Buford.

This isn't your typical haunted house experience. The event focuses on storytelling rather than jump scares, giving families an opportunity to learn more about the fort while experiencing its history in a different setting.

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Ft. Buford Ghost Walk

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Ft. Buford Ghost Walk

The boardwalks will be illuminated by solar lights, but visitors are welcome to bring a flashlight if they wish. Organizers also recommend dressing for the weather since the event takes place outdoors.

Part of the ND250 Celebration

The Ghost Walk is also part of the ND250 commemoration, celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States.

Fort Buford State Historic Site and the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center are managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

Fort Buford closes for the regular season beginning October 1, making the Ghost Walk a special opportunity to visit the site after its normal public hours have ended.

For more information about the Ghost Walk, contact Outreach Coordinator Nicholas Kusnierek at shsbuford@nd.gov or 701-572-9034.

If you're looking for something a little different this October, grab the family, dress for the weather and head out to Fort Buford. You might learn a little history, hear a few mysteries and maybe leave wondering what exactly happened there after the sun went down.