Learn about the history of the Shoshone translator who aided Lewis and Clark, see Knife River Indian Villages and National Historic Site, and great scenery.
The Sakakawea Trail is 115 miles, beginning in Washburn and finishing in Grassy Butte. Majority of the drive is on Route 200A and Route 200. The journey starts just south of the 178-mile-long Lake Sakakawea. Start this momentous drive by taking a brief side trip and drive west from Washburn on Route 17 to Fort Mandan, where the explorers Clark and Lewis wintered. It was during the winter of 1804-1805, while residing at Fort Mandan, that the explorers added Toussaint Charbonneau and his wife to their group as translators. Charbonneau’s wife, a young Shoshone christened Sakakawea, provided priceless assistance as a translator to Clark and Lewis for several years. As you tour this part of the country, you can find many places named after the Shoshone translator, as well as Lake Sakakawea. Read more . . .
Killdeer to New Town on Route 22 is about 95 miles and takes 2 hours, that is, if you don’t stop. Starting in Killdeer, head north on Route 22 to the Killdeer Battlefield State Historic Site. In 1864 (July 28) , it was at this location that a battle was fought between troops commanded by General Alfred Sully and the Sioux Indians. General Sully’s 2,200 troops, with the help of artillery batteries, destroyed the Sioux Indian village with a reported 6,000 warriors. Sully lost 5 soldiers with Sioux losses totaling between 100-150 Native Americans; there is a symbol on the location. 
Are you hungry for some history and a relaxing brief drive? The Kathryn Road drive from Valley City to Fort Ransom State Park is a short 42-mile trip, which is filled with history of the early settlers to the place. The starting point, Valley City, is fifty miles west of Fargo.