No Suitcase Needed: The Best Staycation Spots in Williston ND

Basketball is winding down, and so is winter. It has been a long season for both. Several of my friends have been saying it will be nice to have a quiet weekend at home...maybe even do a staycation.

Williston offers some neat things when it comes to a staycation.

Williston Area Recreation Center

If you're looking to put some fun into your staycation, the Williston ARC is the place to Start. This place has everything! A waterpark with Flow Rider, lazy river, lap swimming, tennis courts, Indoor Mondo Turf, 200 Meter Competition Track, 4 Basketball Courts, golf simulator, Racquetball Courts, walking track, cardio floor, Free Weight Room, indoor Playground and more.

Fort Union Trading Post

Fort Union, was the most significant fur trade post in the region between 1828 and 1867. It served as a major hub where the Assiniboine and six other Northern Plains Indian Tribes traded buffalo robes and smaller furs for cloth, guns, blankets, and beads from around the world. According to the state's tourism website, the post handled over 25,000 buffalo robes annually and saw commerce exceeding $100,000 in merchandise.

Today, you can explore the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, which features a reconstructed fort, outdoor exhibits, a museum, and a park store offering Native American-made items, reproduction fur trade-era goods, and a nice selection of books and merchandise. Admission and parking are free, making it an accessible destination for a staycation. With the seasons changing, just double-check to make sure they're open before heading out.

Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center

One-half mile east of Fort Buford State Historic Site, the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center offers the same amazing view Lewis and Clark Expedition members admired when they visited in 1805 and 1806, and tells the story of the junction of these two great rivers. Three beautiful murals with excerpts from the Lewis and Clark Journals and paintings of the Missouri River scenery by Colonel Philippe Régis de Trobriand, commanding officer of Fort Stevenson in present-day Garrison, N.D., occupy the rotunda area.

Lewis and Clark State Park

Lewis and Clark State Park sits on Lake Sakakawea's upper bay. The park's shoreline features rolling hills and lofty buttes in a rocky landscape. Their marina has boat ramps and slip rents for all those boats in the area. Northern pike, sauger, and walleye fishing are great too. It has large native mixed-grass grasslands and some unique geological formations. In warmer weather, you can swim and enjoy the day-use beach on the campground's east side near the cabins. Snowshoes, fat tire bikes, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes are available for rent.

These Williston staycation ideas offer action, leisure, or both. There's something for everyone, from the thrills of the Williston ARC to Fort Union's rich history and Lewis and Clark State Park's beauty. If you want a getaway without traveling, explore our backyard gems. The finest trips don't always involve luggage!