📷 Unknown author, Public domainKnife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
Stanton, ND
Circular depressions of earth lodges from Hidatsa villages on the Knife River, where Lewis and Clark met Sakakawea. A reconstructed earth lodge stands by the visitor center; trails lead to the village sites.
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is an archaeological site in central North Dakota, about half a mile (800 m) north of Stanton, where the Knife River joins the Missouri. Three Hidatsa villages stood here: Awatixa Xi’e, Awatixa and Big Hidatsa; Big Hidatsa was founded around 1600. The site has been a National Historic Site since 26 October 1974.
Large, circular depressions remain where the earth lodges stood; the lodges were up to about 40 ft (12 m) wide and 14 ft (4 m) high and covered with roughly 4 inches of earth. The National Park Service built a replica earth lodge that visitors can enter. Sakakawea (Sacagawea), who met Lewis and Clark in 1804 and became important to the expedition, lived in one of the villages. The grounds cover about 1,758 acres (711 ha); riverside trails fill roughly half a day.
According to the NPS, admission is free and camping is not allowed on site. Please check opening hours and current notices with the National Park Service beforehand.
- Nearest town
- Stanton, ND
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 47.3317, -101.3864
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Downstream CampgroundCampsite10 mi from Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site · 111 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking water
- Lewis & Clark RV ParkMotorhome stopover12 mi from Knife River Indian Villages National Historic SiteMotorhomesWi-Fi
- Hazen Bay Rec Area CampgroundCampsite16 mi from Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site · 109 pitchesShowers
- Washburn RV ParkMotorhome stopover17 mi from Knife River Indian Villages National Historic SiteMotorhomes
- Douglas Creek - COECampsite19 mi from Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site · 17 pitchesDrinking water
- Totten TrailMotorhome stopover21 mi from Knife River Indian Villages National Historic SiteMotorhomes
All campsites in North Dakota · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site?
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is in Stanton, ND, at GPS 47.3317, -101.3864. It is about 11 mi from Garrison Dam.
Can you camp near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Sakawea Stanton Park, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 11 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site?
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: North Dakota on I-94: from Fargo to the badlands.
What is there to see near Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site?
Places worth a stop nearby: Fort Mandan (12 mi), Salem Sue, the World's Largest Holstein Cow (34 mi), North Dakota State Capitol (45 mi) and Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park (47 mi).
When is the best time to visit Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)