Top 10 Things to Do in Watford City, ND
Located on the edge of the North Dakota Badlands, and known for its strong roots, Western heritage, and prolific oil & gas production, Watford City is one of North Dakota’s most welcoming communities. Residents of Plantation at Hunters Run have access to everything Watford City has to offer, including fantastic dining options, cultural attractions, and internationally recognized outdoor adventures. Our team at the community has put together a list of our favorite spots so that your next adventure in Watford Center is effortless.
Top 5 Restaurants in Watford City
Outsider's Bar & Grill
At Outsider’s Bar & Grill, the casual, relaxed vibe provides a fantastic setting to enjoy a wide range of classic bar food. The menu is centered around stacked burgers, crispy baskets, and a rotation of daily specials. The space feels equal parts sports bar and neighborhood hangout, complete with cold drinks and a steady buzz of energy. It’s the kind of place where you can settle in, watch a game, and lose track of time as you scarf down chicken wings and a round of beers. Residents of Plantation at Hunters Run can be there with a short, ten-minute drive.
HM's Steakhouse
Pizza Pie On The Fly
If you’re looking for a quick and easy bite in Watford City, look no further than Pizza Pie On The Fly. It lives up to its name with fast, no-frills pizza that never skimps on toppings. Fan favorites include the “Mega Meat” topped with pepperoni, Canadian bacon, Italian sausage, and crumbled bacon, the “Taco Pizza” with a creamy salsa sauce, ground beef, tortilla chips, olives, onion, jalapeño, tomato, lettuce, and cheddar cheese, and the “Chicken Alfredo” layered with mushrooms, chicken, and creamy alfredo sauce. Pizza Pie On The Fly is a local staple.
Stonehome Brewing Company
Stonehome Brewing Company blends craft brewing a creative kitchen, offering a lineup of house-made beers alongside standout pizzas and shareable plates. The space feels modern but relaxed, with the kind of energy that works for both laidback afternoons and lively evenings. Homemade brews include the “Pumpjack Porter,” the “Nessie” Scottish Ale, the “Maah Daah Hey” IPA, and the “Frostbite Fooey” dark lager. The food menu is packed with craft-your-own pizzas, signature pastas, and creative appetizers. Stonehome also serves exciting brunch options like steak & eggs, French toast, and savory bowls.
Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar
Dinner at Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar is as much about the experience as the food. From sizzling hibachi grills to neatly crafted sushi rolls, there’s a sense of showmanship that brings energy to the table. The menu covers a wide range, blending classic Japanese steakhouse fare with fresh sushi options. This includes hand rolled nigiri, bento boxes, and Japanese-style entrees. Residents of Plantation at Hunters Run are just ten minutes away from a stellar meal at Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar.
Top 5 Things To Do in Watford City, ND
Just 15 miles south of Watford
City, the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park delivers some of the
most epic scenery in the American West. Spanning more than 70,000 acres across
three units, the park protects colorful badlands carved by wind and water over
millennia. Visitors can drive the 14-mile North Unit Scenic Byway and experience
sweeping views from Oxbow Overlook, where the Little Missouri River bends
through a tree-lined valley below. The North Unit is also filled with native
wildlife like bison, elk, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs. Hikers and horseback
riders can explore roughly 100 miles of trails. The park honors the 26th
president, whose time ranching in this rugged landscape helped shape America’s conservation
ethos.
Taking its name from a Mandan phrase meaning "an area that will be around for a long time," the Maah Daah Hey Trail earns every bit of that reverence. This 144-mile non-motorized singletrack stretches from the CCC Campground south of Watford City all the way to Burning Coal Vein Campground near Medora, winding through some of the most stunning badlands terrain in North America. Hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders share the route, which climbs steep clay buttes, drops into wooded draws, and crosses the Little Missouri River multiple times. The International Mountain Biking Association has designated it an IMBA Epic, one of the top mountain biking trails in the United States, and it earned a 2022 Bicycling Travel Award as Best Hidden Gem. An unforgettable adventure for all skill levels.
Stretching across more than one million acres of western North Dakota, the Little Missouri National Grassland is the largest national grassland in the country, and one of its most spectacular. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, the grassland encompasses colorful badlands, rolling mixed-grass prairies, rugged buttes, and the Little Missouri River, which winds through the landscape offering excellent fishing, canoeing, and scenic riverbank exploration. Six non-motorized trails in the McKenzie Ranger District, headquartered in Watford City, invite hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians to explore. Sather Lake offers year-round fishing for crappie, trout, and bass. Archaeological sites, fossil deposits, and petrified wood add a layer of history to every visit.
Tucked on the south shore of Lake Sakakawea just 25 miles north of Watford City, Tobacco Gardens Resort & Marina is a beloved year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts from across the region and beyond. The resort sits on one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States, offering prime fishing for walleye, northern pike, and catfish, along with boating, swimming, and water sports. Anglers pull in northern pike topping 22 pounds. The campground offers over 100 sites, cozy log cabins, full hookups, showers, a boat ramp, bait and tackle shop, and a full-service restaurant. Just nearby, the Birnt Hills Trail, a certified Lewis & Clark site, winds through the grasslands with beautiful scenic vistas of the lake. The name Tobacco Gardens traces back to Kinnikinnick, a plant once used by Native Americans for trade.
The Rough Rider Center is western North Dakota's crown jewel of recreation and community life. This remarkable 268,000-square-foot multipurpose facility in the heart of Watford City punches well above its weight, hosting everything from statewide hockey tournaments and youth basketball championships to concerts, trade shows, conferences, and weddings. The sports complex features two NHL regulation-sized ice rinks, a six-lane competition pool with a 135-foot water slide, three basketball and volleyball courts, an indoor soccer field, a gymnastics center with a rock-climbing wall, a baseball diamond, a football field, and a roller derby arena. A coffee shop and meeting rooms round out the offerings. Owned by the City of Watford City and operated by the Watford City Park District, the center is a true community hub that welcomes visitors and locals alike throughout the year.