By L. Lee Scott, Contributing writer

The North Dakota landscape has rivers and lakes, forests, prairie, badlands and valleys, and beautiful scenery down almost every road. Whether you're looking for outdoor activities, historic places, adventures or just relaxing, you'll find it in the Peace Garden State.

Walhalla sits on the Rendezvous Region Backway, a scenic drive along the Pembina River in northeastern North Dakota. Hike or cross-country ski through the Tetrault Woods State Forest or downhill ski and snowboard at Frost Fire. Camp out or stay in motels or hunting lodges in and around Walhalla while you visit area historic sites such as the first structures built by Euro-Americans in the state.

Bottineau is your gateway to woods and water fun in the Turtle Mountains. Bottineau Winter Park provides cross-country and downhill skiing and snowboarding. Visit Lake Metigoshe State Park in summer for camping, hiking, boating and angling, or in winter for Nordic skiing, snowmobiling or ice fishing. The Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway is a drive through a forest filled with wildlife, clear blue lakes and wild flowers.

Valley City is on Interstate 94 in the Sheyenne River Valley and on the Sheyenne River Scenic Byway, a 63 mile drive through the wooded valley. The Sheyenne River is perfect for canoeing and fishing, with a hiking and biking trail along most of its length. Downhill and cross-country skiing, along with snowmobiling and ice fishing, provide winter fun. While in Valley City, visit the 30 acre Medicine Wheel Park to see a medicine wheel and Native American burial mounds.

Williston sits at the north end of Lake Sakakawea, where the Yellowstone River joins the Missouri. Lakota (Sioux) Chief Sitting Bull surrendered to the army at Fort Buford State Historic Site in 1881. Some original fort buildings house museum exhibits, while the earliest fur trading post of the American Fur Co. in the area is at Fort Union National Historic Site. The rivers and Lake Sakakawea provide boating and fishing, and the Confluence Canoe Trail is a nine mile trip on the only remaining piece of free-flowing river in the contiguous states. Cross-country ski and snowmobile trails surround the Williston area.

Killdeer truly is a hidden spot in the rugged country of the Little Missouri Badlands and Killdeer Mountains. The Killdeer area provides some of the best fall hunting, including prairie game birds, elk, deer and bighorn sheep. Killdeer has history, too. On July 28, 1864, a great battle was fought between the Lakota (Sioux) and the army, led by Gen. Alfred Sully. Legend says the women and children escaped into the Medicine Hole in the Killdeer Mountains, one of the few true caves in North Dakota. Those wanting a taste of badlands cowboy life can join trail rides at Badlands Trail Rides 18 miles north of Killdeer, rent horses with guide service available in the Little Missouri State Park, or visit the annual Killdeer Mountain Rodeo Roundup.