Overview
Cartwright is a small town in the Badlands area of North Dakota. It sits near the banks of the Yellowstone River, and just east of the Montana border.
2 sights · 1 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Cartwright
Fairview Lift Bridge and Cartwright Tunnel
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge stretches 1,320 feet across the Yellowstone River, and at one time carried both vehicle and rail traffic. The Cartwright Tunnel, 1,458 feet long, is the only…
Horse Creek School
Effectively a modern one-room schoolhouse with a single teacher, this rural elementary (K-8) school served ten Cartwright area students at its peak a decade ago. Enrolment is declining; as of the 2013-2014 school year, t…
Wilderness Outfitters X-Stream Adventures
Hunt whitetail and mule deer where Lewis and Clark once hunted, where the Yellowstone River joins the Missouri River. You can also see coyotes, pheasants, wild turkeys and beaver. Bring a camera.
Plan your trip
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SDY Sidney - Richland Regional Airport, Sidney — 16 mi away. Directions
- XWA Williston Basin International Airport, Williston — 29 mi away. Directions
From Williston, take US highway 2 west for 3 miles, then US highway 85 south for 19 miles to state highway 200. Cartwright is approximately 14 miles to the west on highway 200.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Fairview Lift Bridge and Cartwright Tunnel, Horse Creek School
- Afternoon Wilderness Outfitters X-Stream Adventures
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
There are no public accommodations in Cartwright. The nearest are 11 miles to the southwest in Sidney (Montana).
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Understand
Ranching is the primary economic activity in Cartwright.
Get in
By car
From Williston, take US highway 2 west for 3 miles, then US highway 85 south for 19 miles to state highway 200. Cartwright is approximately 14 miles to the west on highway 200.
See
See Fairview Lift Bridge and Cartwright Tunnel
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge stretches 1,320 feet across the Yellowstone River, and at one time carried both vehicle and rail traffic. The Cartwright Tunnel, 1,458 feet long, is the only tunnel in North Dakota. It was dug by hand in 1912-13 Still structurally sound, the bridge is open as a walking trail.
Do
Do Wilderness Outfitters X-Stream Adventures
Hunt whitetail and mule deer where Lewis and Clark once hunted, where the Yellowstone River joins the Missouri River. You can also see coyotes, pheasants, wild turkeys and beaver. Bring a camera.
Eat
There are no public accommodations in Cartwright. The nearest are 11 miles to the southwest in Sidney (Montana).
Nearby
Alexander
City / town · 5 listings · 13 mi away
Sidney
City / town · 13 listings · 15 mi away
Williston
City / town · 31 listings · 25 mi away
Watford City
City / town · 15 listings · 30 mi away
Little Missouri National Grasslands
Park · 1 listings · 56 mi away
Tioga
City / town · 4 listings · 59 mi away
Glendive
City / town · 22 listings · 64 mi away
Beach
City / town · 11 listings · 65 mi away
My experience
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