With the later weeks of February ending, Spring Break at UND is just around the corner and countless college students are gearing themselves up for a week of rest and potentially escaping the relentless winter up here in Grand Forks.
Despite the appeal in heading over to Miami, Florida, or Tucson, Arizona, the reality is not everybody is going to be able catch a good deal on plane tickets and travel down south this year for spring break as travel accommodations can easily become pricey. All hope is not lost as there are still plenty of great getaways that are both in-state or residing within the Midwest that you and your friends can still make a trip out to this upcoming March.
The first being Theodore Roosevelt National Park that is in the Western part of the state and includes unique geologic formations known as the Badlands. In the Badlands, there are countless hiking trails and camping locations that, depending on the weather, can be spectacular to visit during this time of the year.
The Badlands consist of rock formations that were formed millions of years ago because of weathering and erosion, creating a natural landscape that is distinct from any other within the country. Devoid of vegetation and difficult terrain to travel across, the Badlands got their name from a Lakota word, “mako sica,” which directly translates to “bad lands.” This explains the limited exploitation of the land over the course of history and the preservation of its natural beauty over time devoid of human settlement.
The land is now protected under its designation as a National Park, constituting over 110 square miles of terrain with countless hiking trails and camping sites for visitors to enjoy while passing through the park. Being just over a six-hour drive from Grand Forks, it makes for the perfect road trip to embark on with friends.
Alongside the Badlands, another great road trip destination includes a ski resort, Big Sky Resort, in Montana. Being on the Western side of the state, it is a longer trip but still a tangible distance as it is just 13 hours away from Grand Forks. Located on Lone Mountain, which is a part of Montana’s Madison Range, Big Sky Resort offers breath taking views and is one of the nation’s top ski resorts offering a range of amenities for visitors and guests alike, making it the perfect spring break destination for students who are looking to hit the slopes and take part in winter activities one last time before the skiing season ends.
Ultimately, there is a wide range of local destinations within North Dakota and neighboring states alike that, depending on you and your friend’s personal budget, can make for the perfect last-minute getaway without having to worry about pricey airfares during one of the busier times of the year for domestic travel. Where you choose to go comes down to you and your friends’ personal preferences as we all prepare ourselves for a much-needed reprieve from the grueling cycle of coursework and exams this year during the spring semester.
Daniel Silva is a Dakota Student General Reporter. He can be reached at daniel.silva@und.edu.
