Turtle Lake, ND

Turtle Lake is a small McLean County community on the North Dakota prairie, situated conveniently between Bismarck and Minot. The town leans right into its name, starting with a giant turtle statue that welcomes drivers along the highway. Every summer, neighbors come together for Turtle Days, a local festival highlighted by the USA and World Championship Turtle Races. For families settling in, kids attend the Turtle Lake-Mercer School right in town.

ATTRIn memoriam afiler / CC BY-SA 2.0

Getting outside is easy here. Just down the road, Lake Brekken and Lake Holmes have boat ramps, fishing piers, campgrounds, and playgrounds for sunny weekends. Hikers can also pick up a scenic stretch of the North Country National Scenic Trail right off Highway 41. With quiet streets, familiar local spots, and the water practically in your backyard, Turtle Lake offers a relaxed small-town pace that is easy to settle into.