Overview
New Town is a city in Western North Dakota. It is situated on the shore of Lake Sakakawea and on the north end of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. It is a popular destination for tourists, mostly from within the state, who visit for fishing, boating, and gambling. The city became well known after the oil boom around 2006. As a result, many people came to the town for work, and there was a rapid development of trailers and vinyl houses. The town is a common jumping-off point for hunting and fishing.
4 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about New Town
Four Bears Casino and Lodge
Casino, hotel, RV Park, restaurant. Also hosts live music events.
Edgewater Country Club
9-hole golf course. There is a clubhouse.
Three Affiliated Tribes Museum
Tells the history of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Native American tribes.
MHA Interpretive Center
Museum hosting exhibits of history of the region. Also has cultural events and guided tours.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 4°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Minot)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MOT Minot International Airport, Minot — 59 mi away. Directions
- XWA Williston Basin International Airport, Williston — 62 mi away. Directions
The most common way to enter is to take the 23 highway from east or west. There's also the 1804 if you are coming from the north. There is no airport.
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 Four Bears Casino and Lodge, Three Affiliated Tribes Museum
- Lunch Better B Café
- Afternoon MHA Interpretive Center, Edgewater Country Club
- Dinner Dakota Check Cashing & Service
- Evening American Legion Post 290
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
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
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The town got its name after the Missouri river was dammed. The resulting flood created Lake Sakakawea and flooded the town of Van Hook. The residents of the community needed a new place to live, and founded New Town as a new town. The town is predominantly Native American, mostly of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara tribes, called MHA or Three Affiliated Tribes. Since the oil boom, the town had a resurgence and has changed drastically, with many people flocking for work in the oil fields.
Get in
The most common way to enter is to take the 23 highway from east or west. There's also the 1804 if you are coming from the north. There is no airport.
Get around
There is no public transportation. A car, truck, or side-by-side is necessary. You can try ridesharing apps but these may be undependable.
See
- There are tanks on display and a park on Central Ave and 1st St N.
Do
- See a missile silo. There are quite a few around the area, you can identify them by their fenced square area with a number and letter. Do not try to enter the silo.
- Go hunting. There are a lot of areas around New Town that are teeming with wildlife. Follow the laws when hunting.
- Go fishing. There's good walleye in Lake Sakakawea. You can also swim in it at your own risk (it's cold and there may be a current).
Buy
Eat
Eat Dakota Check Cashing & Service
Serves Mexican food, not that bad. Jarritos can be found here. Also has other services and sells smoking paraphernalia such as pipes, vapes, soda, candy, bottled water, money transfer, ATM, hats, cigarettes, lighters, and more. Quite a variety store. No refunds.
Eat Ranchman's 23 Saloon and Steakhouse
Steakhouse which also serves hamburgers and other bar food. A friendly atmosphere.
Eat Better B Café
Café serving breakfast foods, coffee, and more.
Drink
Drink American Legion Post 290
An American Legion location. Bar and grill type food with a pretty good atmosphere and other things you'd expect from a bar, like blackjack, pool, darts, etc.
Sleep
Nearby
Stanley
City / town · 4 listings · 23 mi away
Tioga
City / town · 4 listings · 35 mi away
Watford City
City / town · 15 listings · 39 mi away
Douglas
City / town · 6 listings · 46 mi away
Kenmare
City / town · 11 listings · 51 mi away
Burlington
City / town · 5 listings · 53 mi away
Williston
City / town · 31 listings · 54 mi away
Alexander
City / town · 5 listings · 54 mi away
My experience
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