The state has a new program geared toward motorcyclists.
North Dakota Tourism started the North Dakota Scenic ByRider Program for motorcycilists Monday.
Bikers can get patches for traveling five of the state’s 10 scenic byways in one calendar year.
“One of the best ways to experience the sights, sounds and smells of North Dakota is to tour on two wheels,” Scooter Pursley with North Dakota Tourism said in a release.
Byways in the state include: the Native American Scenic Byway, which stretches from the north edge of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball south to Chamberlain, S.D.; Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway, which starts in Getchell Township and goes south to Lisbon; Chan SanSan Scenic Backway, which starts north of Adrian and ends near Lake LaMoure; Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge Scenic Backway, from Kenmare to Minot; Killdeer Mountain Four Bears Scenic Byway from New Town to Manning; Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway from Dickinson to Mandan; Rendezvous Region Scenic Backway from Vang to Cavalier; Sakakawea Scenic Byway, which goes from Knife River Indian Villages to Washburn; Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit Scenic Byway from south of Watford City through the park’s north unit; and Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway, from St. John to Highway 14 near Turtle Mountain Recreational Forest.
Pursley said the byways range in length from 30 miles to 100 miles. He said the tourism department may add other interesting rides to the program in in future, like the Enchanted Highway.
Pursley said the byways provide a more scenic drive on well kept roads through quaint towns like Fort Ransom.
Bikers need to take a photo of themselves holding a copy of the current North Dakota Travel Guide in front of their bike and a recognizable scenic area, attraction, accommodation or event on that byway.
Once bikers have photos taken along five different byways or backways, they can email them to Pursley at jpursley@nd.gov or mail them to North Dakota Tourism Division, 1600 E Century Ave., PO Box 2057, Bismarck ND 58502.
Pursley said the program isn’t just for residents, visitors also can qualify to get a patch.