Earthlodge people hunted bison and other game, but were in essence farmers living in villages along the Missouri and its tributaries. The site was a major Native American trade center for hundreds of years prior to becoming an important market place for fur traders after 1750.
Free — you won’t need your pass here.
Free entry — there is no entrance fee here, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
- Fee type No fee — No fee is charged here.
- HoursKnife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is open from sunrise to sunset, every day of the year. Even when visitor center is closed, the park itself remains open.
- Source National Park Service ↗
- Last verifiedJuly 6, 2026 · Confirmed
- Official pagewww.nps.gov ↗
- Contact 7017453300 · KNRI_Information@nps.gov
Plane: Closest Commercial Airports are Bismarck (60 miles) Minot (85 miles) Dickinson (102 miles). Hazen, ND (15 miles from site) has an airport for small planes. Car: One-half mile north of Stanton, ND on County Road 37. One hour northwest of Bismarck, ND and one and a half hours southwest of Minot
Common questions
Quick Yes / No / Depends answers for Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site — always confirm with the managing site before you go.
No Is there a fee at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site?
No — it’s free to enter, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
Yes Can you fish at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site?
Yes — fishing is one of the listed activities here. You’ll need a valid state fishing license.
Yes Can you kayak, paddle, or boat here?
Yes — there’s water for boating and paddling at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site. Hand-launched craft usually need no permit; motorized boats may need registration or a launch fee.
Yes Are there hiking trails?
Yes — trails here include Hidatsa Trail, North Forest Trail, Sakakawea Trail, and more. Check length and difficulty before you go.
Depends Can you bring a dog?
Usually only leashed and in developed areas, campgrounds, and paved paths — not on most trails or in buildings. Pet rules vary by park, so check first.
No Are drones allowed?
No — launching, landing, or operating drones is prohibited on National Park Service land.
Depends What are the hours?
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is open from sunrise to sunset, every day of the year. Even when visitor center is closed, the park itself remains open.
Nearby sites
MatthewUND / CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sakakawea Lake
CheckArmy Corps site — the pass gives 50% off day-use fees only and never covers camping. Confirm at the gate.
Audubon National Wildlife Refuge
CheckThis U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service site may charge a fee your pass covers — confirm before you go.