The phrase ‘back-to-school’ is often synonymous with the end of summer. But that does not mean all outdoor activity has to end. Specifically, in Jamestown and Stutsman County, ND, fall is an excellent season for outdoor recreation.

North Dakota has a high Quality of Life, evidenced by the ranking Wallethub offered in 2021, citing it as the #5 Happiest State in the country. Jamestown and Stutsman County are known throughout the state as an excellent reflection of that standard of living. Opportunities for getting outside in the area are abundant and are a significant part of what makes people happy.

Water

Outdoor recreation around Jamestown often begins with fun on the water. The Jamestown Reservoir covers 2,492 acres of water, with seven boat launches, seven picnic shelters, two swimming beaches and three miles of hard-surfaced walking and biking trails. The Pipestem Reservoir offers 820 acres of water and over 14 miles of shoreline for fishing, hunting, camping, and recreation.

Parks

Jamestown has ten parks and several facilities that are beautiful locales to enjoy the great North Dakota fall weather. Highlights include The Jamestown Sensory Garden at Solien-Denault Park is a wonderful amenity accessible by all and devoted to experiences for all five senses: sight, touch, smell, hearing and even taste. The handicapped accessible trail has braille signs and is connected to an existing walkway. Elevated planting beds allow visitors to access some of the plants. Funding for the garden was provided by the Jamestown Community Foundation, Jamestown Tourism and Jamestown Parks and Recreation.

Golf

Fall still has plenty of sunlight left to get in several rounds of golf. The Jamestown Country Club, in the scenic James River Valley, is a private country club that allows limited outside play. The beautiful 19-hole course’s grounds are among the best-kept in North Dakota. The Carrington CrossRoads Golf Club is less than an hour’s drive north of Jamestown. Since opening in 2003, Golf Digest has named the club one of the top 450 courses in the country and given it a Four Star Award for nine consecutive years. The Hillcrest Golf Course is a beautiful and challenging 18-hole course with a driving range operated by the Jamestown Parks and Recreation Department.

Jamestown has two fantastic disc golf courses for those with a different approach to golf. The Island Disc Golf Course is perhaps the most challenging in the state. The 24-hole course is played across a Jamestown Reservoir segment as designed by Darrell Nodland. Klaus Park has an 18-hole disc golf course alongside the James and Pipestem Rivers. The course is nearly 4,700- feet long but relatively flat with abundant trees and water hazards.

Trails

Jamestown has more than 40 miles of trails in and around the city. Jamestown is a community that values bicycling, evidenced by the presence of the Jamestown Community Bike Fleet. The Fleet is a collection of bicycles for community use, including 30 adjustable hybrid unisex bicycles in both adult and youth sizes, an adult tricycle and 30 helmets. The bikes are free of charge, housed in an enclosed trailer with a repair station and kept at the Two Rivers Activity Center.

Hunt

While various hunting opportunities exist in Stutsman County year-round, fall may be the crown jewel. Peak seasons for waterfowl, upland birds and deer all occur in the fall. And public hunting lands are abundant and easily accessible, especially around Pipestem Lake, Jamestown Reservoir and the Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge. The best resource for understanding regulations and public land access is the North Dakota Game & Fish Department.

The days may be getting shorter and a chill in the air lingering longer, but getting outdoors is just as fun and beneficial as ever this fall. Please contact the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation for more information on our great outdoors!