New Town, ND Road Trips

The town got its name after the Missouri river was dammed. The resulting flood created Lake Sakakawea and flooded the town of Van Hook. The residents of the community needed a new place to live, and founded New Town as a new town. The town is predominantly Native American, mostly of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara tribes, called MHA or Three Affiliated Tribes. Since the oil boom, the town had a resurgence and has changed drastically, with many people flocking for work in the oil fields.

There are tanks on display and a park on Central Ave and 1st St N.

1 Four Bears Casino and Lodge, 202 Frontage Rd (4 miles west of town, across the river), toll-free: +1-800-294-5454. Casino, hotel, RV Park, restaurant. Also hosts live music events. (updated Feb 2025) 2 Edgewater Country Club, 9151 Highway 23B (from town, drive west down the 23, then turn right at the first stoplight; it'll be on the left), ☏ +1 701 627-9407. 9-hole golf course. There is a clubhouse. (updated Feb 2025) See a missile silo. There are quite a few around the area, you can identify them by their fenced square area with a number and letter. Do not try to enter the silo. Go hunting. There are a lot of areas around New Town that are teeming with wildlife. Follow the laws when hunting. Go fishing. There's good walleye in Lake Sakakawea. You can also swim in it at your own risk (it's cold and there may be a current). 3 Three Affiliated Tribes Museum, 302 Frontage Rd (across the river, off of 3rd Ave on the left, going west), ☏ +1 701 627-4477. M-F 9AM-4PM. Tells the history of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Native American tribes. (updated Feb 2025) 4 MHA Interpretive Center, 9386 ND-23, ☏ +1 701 627 2238. 9AM-4:30PM. Closed Sa Su. Museum hosting exhibits of history of the region. Also has cultural events and guided tours. (updated Apr 2025)

1 Dakota Check Cashing & Service, 314 Main St (down Main St. next to Satermo Hardware, before Park Pl.), ☏ +1 701 627-4457. M-Sa 6AM-10PM, Su 9AM-8PM. Serves Mexican food, not that bad. Jarritos can be found here. Also has other services and sells smoking paraphernalia such as pipes, vapes, soda, candy, bottled water, money transfer, ATM, hats, cigarettes, lighters, and more. Quite a variety store. No refunds. (updated Feb 2025) 2 Ranchman's 23 Saloon and Steakhouse, 8210 39th St NW, ☏ +1 701-627-3949. 10AM-10PM daily. Steakhouse which also serves hamburgers and other bar food. A friendly atmosphere. (updated Apr 2025) 3 Better B Café, 204 Main Street, ☏ +1 701 627 3888. M-F 6AM-8PM Sa 6AM-3PM (closed Su). Café serving breakfast foods, coffee, and more. (updated Apr 2025)

1 American Legion Post 290, 352 Main St (on main street between Market Pl and Soo Pl N), ☏ +1 701 627-4409. M-F 11:30AM-2AM, Sa Su noon-2AM. An American Legion location. Bar and grill type food with a pretty good atmosphere and other things you'd expect from a bar, like blackjack, pool, darts, etc. (updated Feb 2025)

1 Teddy's Residential Suites, 951 Eagle Dr (take College Dr off of 19th street; It's a tall building, you can't miss it), ☏ +1 701 627-2420. 3-star hotel on the edge of town. Similar to many chain hotels such as Marriott. There's also a bar and restaurant inside. Clean place to stay. (updated Feb 2025) 2 Van Hook Territorial Inn, 8226 39th St NW, ☏ +1 701 627 2500. Check-in: 3:00PM, check-out: 11:00AM. Modest motel slightly outside of town. Accommodates especially to fisherman. (updated Apr 2025) 3 Little Missouri Inn & Suites New Town, 950 Eagle Dr, ☏ +1 701 627 4488, [email protected]. Check-in: 3:00PM, check-out: 11:00AM. Hotel on the east end of town. Has a large seating lobby. (updated Apr 2025)

The most common way to enter is to take the 23 highway from east or west. There's also the 1804 if you are coming from the north. There is no airport.

There is no public transportation. A car, truck, or side-by-side is necessary. You can try ridesharing apps but these may be undependable.