19 Best & Fun Things to Do in Solen, ND
Solen is a very small community, so many of the best outings nearby are spread across the Standing Rock area, Fort Yates, Lake Oahe, and the larger historic sites closer to Mandan, Bismarck, and Stanton. That makes planning the right kind of list important. Instead of padding this guide with weak suggestions, this roundup focuses on the real, verified things to do in Solen, ND and the nearby places that travelers actually use as stops, day trips, and activity anchors.
What stands out most around Solen is the mix of Indigenous history, Missouri River scenery, self-guided drives, simple trails, and practical stops for dining or lodging. You can spend part of a day learning more about the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in Fort Yates, head to Lake Oahe for views and marina access, or build a longer day around major history sites in Mandan, Bismarck, and Stanton. This area suits travelers who like meaningful places more than packed commercial attractions.
Because distances matter here, it helps to think in clusters. Fort Yates and the scenic byway offer the closest concentration of sights. Prairie Knights adds food, lodging, and recreation in one place. Farther north, several excellent state and national historic sites turn a Solen stay into a deeper regional trip. If you enjoy open landscapes and history that is tied closely to place, this area has a lot to reward a careful visit.
Things to Do in Solen, ND
1. Sitting Bull Visitor Center
This visitor center is in Fort Yates, roughly 30 miles south of Solen, and it is one of the smartest first stops in the area. The center sits on the hill behind Sitting Bull College and gives visitors a clear starting point for understanding the local landscape, community, and history. In a region where many attractions are spread out, a place that helps with orientation is genuinely useful.
You can stop here to gather information on local history, events, and places to visit on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. That makes it especially helpful for first-time visitors who do not want to drive around without context. It also pairs well with a self-guided day in Fort Yates, since several other verified stops are close by along the scenic byway corridor.
This is a good fit for travelers who want a respectful and informed visit rather than a rushed photo stop. It also works well for road trippers planning a broader North Dakota loop, especially if you also enjoy history-rich areas like Brookings, SD or Spearfish, SD on other Plains trips. Since hours can vary and visitors are encouraged to call ahead, it is wise to confirm details before building your day around it.
Address: 9299 Hwy 24, Fort Yates, ND 58538
2. Sitting Bull Burial Site (original gravesite marker)
This historic site is in Fort Yates, about 30 miles south of Solen, and it is one of the most meaningful stops in the region. The site marks the original burial ground of Hunkpapa Lakota leader Sitting Bull. Even though it is suited to a brief self-guided visit, the importance of the place gives it more weight than a typical roadside stop.
Visitors come here for reflection, historical context, and a direct connection to one of the most important figures in Plains history. North Dakota Tourism lists it as a self-guided stop, so you can visit on your own schedule rather than needing a formal tour. That flexibility makes it easy to combine with the visitor center, the stockade, and the scenic byway in the same outing.
This stop is best for travelers who value history and are willing to approach it with care. It is not a place for entertainment in the usual sense. It is a place to slow down and understand where you are. If you are building a history-focused route through the region, it can also connect well with other cultural stops farther north, much like travelers combine historic sites and scenic drives in places such as Columbia Falls, MT and Amherst, SD. Bring the listed coordinates if you want extra confidence finding the site.
Address: Sitting Bull Ave, Fort Yates, ND 58538
3. Fort Yates Stockade
This historic stop is in Fort Yates, about 30 miles south of Solen, and it is a practical addition to any self-guided day in town. Visitor materials identify it as the only original building remaining from the military Fort Yates era. That makes it a small but important piece of the town’s surviving built history.
The stockade is best approached as a quick exterior stop rather than a full attraction with long activities. You come here to see a rare surviving structure, take photos, and place Fort Yates within the military and reservation history of the region. Because it is included among the scenic byway’s featured points of interest, it also works naturally as one stop among several nearby places rather than a destination that needs a whole afternoon.
This site suits travelers who enjoy local history, self-guided routes, and compact stops that add depth to a trip without taking much time. It is especially useful for people staying near Solen who want a manageable outing with several meaningful places close together. As with a lot of small historic sites in rural areas, expectations matter. This is not a museum complex. It is a simple, open-air historic-photo stop with real value because of what it represents. Use Fort Yates byway signage and local directions since no standalone street address was officially verified.
Address: In Fort Yates along the Standing Rock National Native American Scenic Byway; official visitor materials identify it as a point of interest in town.
4. Standing Rock National Native American Scenic Byway
This scenic route runs near Solen through the Fort Yates and Cannon Ball corridor, making it one of the most useful and wide-ranging activities based in the area. Instead of one attraction, it offers a self-guided way to connect many of the region’s best verified stops in a single trip. For many travelers, this drive is the backbone of a visit.
The byway follows the Missouri River along highways 1806 and 24 from the Cannonball River south to the South Dakota state line. North Dakota Tourism notes river vistas, cultural and historical points of interest, and chances to spot buffalo herds and eagles’ nests. That gives the route appeal for both history-minded travelers and people who simply want a scenic drive with regular reasons to pull over.
This is a good choice for almost anyone staying in or near Solen because it is flexible. You can make it a short outing with one or two stops, or shape it into a half-day with monuments, historic sites, and a meal at Prairie Knights. It is also open year-round and free, which makes planning easier. If you enjoy road-based travel in quieter parts of the northern Plains, this kind of route can be as memorable as more famous drives elsewhere. Bring water, allow extra time, and do not rush from point to point. The byway is best experienced slowly.
Address: Begins at the Cannonball River and continues south along highways 1806 and 24 to the South Dakota state line.
5. Prairie Knights Casino & Resort
This resort is in Fort Yates, roughly 30 miles south of Solen, and it is one of the biggest all-in-one recreation stops in the area. In a region with few large commercial attractions, Prairie Knights stands out because it combines casino gaming, lodging, dining, and event space in one location. That makes it useful even for travelers who are not focused mainly on gaming.
Visitors can come here for a meal, spend the night, or use it as a base for exploring Lake Oahe and the nearby scenic byway. North Dakota Tourism also notes that lodge guests have access to a pool with a 129-foot water slide, hot tub, small kids’ splash area, fitness room, guest laundry, and arcade. Those extra features give the property appeal for families, couples, and road trippers who want more than a simple motel stop.
This is one of the easiest places to recommend near Solen because it solves several travel needs at once. You can eat here, rest here, and branch out to trails, marina access, and historic sites nearby. It is especially handy if you prefer one reliable hub instead of moving between scattered small-town services. Since the resort is open 24/7 according to the official site, it also works well for late arrivals or flexible schedules. Even if you do not stay overnight, it is a practical anchor for a full day in the Fort Yates area.
Address: 7932 Hwy 24, Fort Yates, ND 58538
6. Prairie Knights Marina / Lake Oahe Marina
This marina is in Fort Yates, about 30 miles south of Solen, and it offers one of the best ways to access Lake Oahe. For travelers who want something more active than historic stops and scenic overlooks, this is an important change of pace. It brings boating, fishing, camping, and RV stays into the same trip planning picture.
Official details list a boat ramp, docks or slips subject to water levels, showers, restrooms, a fish-cleaning station, RV sites, and tent camping. Those facilities make the marina practical for both short visits and longer stays. You can come for a quick look at the water, launch a boat, or base a simple outdoor overnight here if that matches your plan better than staying inside the resort.
This spot suits anglers, boaters, campers, and travelers who want a direct connection to the lake. It also works well for families because the marina can be paired with nearby trail walking or meals at Prairie Knights. In a small destination area like Solen, places that combine scenery with usable facilities are especially valuable. If you are already exploring Fort Yates or driving the byway, the marina is an easy addition that broadens the day. Because the official site marks it open 24/7, access planning is simple, though lake conditions and water levels can still affect marina details.
Address: 7932 Hwy 24, Fort Yates, ND 58538
7. Lewis and Clark Legacy Nature Trail
This trail area is in Fort Yates at the Prairie Knights marina, roughly 30 miles south of Solen, and it is one of the best short outdoor stops near town. North Dakota Tourism describes it as three 1-mile primitive nature trails overlooking Lake Oahe. That setup gives you options without requiring a major hiking commitment.
What makes this trail especially interesting is the interpretive element. Signage identifies plant species and explains their traditional Native American uses. That means the walk is not only scenic. It also adds cultural learning to the outdoor experience, which fits the broader character of the Solen and Standing Rock area very well.
This is a strong choice for visitors who want light activity, lake views, and a quiet break from driving. It suits couples, solo travelers, and families who are comfortable with a primitive trail setting but still appreciate nearby services. Tourism materials also note restrooms, a picnic shelter, and ADA-accessible features at the marina trail area, which helps make the stop more comfortable than a remote trailhead. The trail is best combined with the marina, the resort, or a byway drive so that it becomes part of a varied day. Wear suitable shoes, take water, and expect a simple nature walk rather than a long backcountry hike.
Address: Located at Prairie Knights Casino and Resort’s marina on Lake Oahe, 7932 Hwy 24, Fort Yates, ND 58538.
8. Hunters Club
This restaurant is in Fort Yates inside Prairie Knights Casino & Resort, about 30 miles south of Solen, and it is one of the more substantial sit-down dining options near town. In a rural area where dining choices can be limited, having a verified signature restaurant nearby can shape your whole day more than you might expect.
Hunters Club serves steaks, seafood, and chef-crafted specialties in a lodge-style setting. That makes it a better fit for travelers who want a slower evening meal rather than a quick bite between stops. It can work as the dinner portion of a day spent on the scenic byway or around Lake Oahe, especially if you want to end with a proper table-service meal instead of driving farther north for more options.
This is a good choice for couples, adults on a weekend trip, and road travelers staying at Prairie Knights. It also helps visitors near Solen build a more comfortable itinerary without leaving the Fort Yates area. The hours are limited to Wednesday through Sunday evenings, so timing matters. If dinner is an important part of your plan, it makes sense to check the current schedule and reserve if needed by calling the resort. In a place where activity and dining are spread out, Hunters Club deserves mention not just as a restaurant, but as a practical part of the overall visitor experience.
Address: Inside Prairie Knights Casino & Resort, 7932 Hwy 24, Fort Yates, ND 58538
9. Feast of the Rock
This restaurant is in Fort Yates inside Prairie Knights Casino & Resort, roughly 30 miles south of Solen, and it is one of the most useful everyday meal stops in the area. Unlike a dinner-only restaurant, Feast of the Rock covers breakfast plus lunch and dinner favorites. That broad schedule makes it especially valuable for travelers with flexible or early-day plans.
If you are heading out to the scenic byway, the visitor center, or Lake Oahe, this is the kind of place where you can start the day with breakfast or stop later without needing to overplan. For families, road trippers, and anyone staying nearby, that convenience matters. The restaurant is full-service and casual, which suits the pace of travel around Solen well.
This is a particularly smart pick for visitors who want one reliable food stop close to several area attractions. The official hours are long, especially by small-town standards, and breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. That means it can support both early departures and relaxed evening returns. It may not be the reason you travel to the area, but it can make the rest of the trip easier and more comfortable. In destinations like this, practical places often become some of the most appreciated ones, because they let you spend more time enjoying the region and less time searching for basic services.
Address: Inside Prairie Knights Casino & Resort, 7932 Hwy 24, Fort Yates, ND 58538
10. Top This Pizza
This quick-bite food stop is in Fort Yates inside Prairie Knights Casino & Resort, about 30 miles south of Solen, and it is a handy option when you want something simple. In a rural travel area, easy food choices can be just as useful as larger attractions. Top This Pizza fills that role well for casual meals and late-night snacks.
The menu includes pizza by the slice or whole pie, plus wings, bread, salads, and bottled soda. That variety helps if your group wants a fast, familiar meal before getting back on the road or settling in for the evening. It is especially practical for families, groups with different appetites, or travelers who do not want a full sit-down restaurant experience.
The official page also notes that the menu remains available while the dedicated Top This Pizza area is under construction, with orders placed at Feast of the Rock during construction. That detail matters because it tells visitors the food is still an option even if the usual setup looks different. The long hours, especially later in the week, make this stop helpful for people arriving at odd times or staying at Prairie Knights. While it is not a sightseeing attraction in the classic sense, it earns its place in a Solen-area guide because dependable services are part of what makes a trip work smoothly in a sparsely populated region.
Address: Inside Prairie Knights Casino & Resort, 7932 Hwy 24, Fort Yates, ND 58538
11. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
This state park is in Mandan, roughly 85 miles north of Solen, and it is one of the strongest full day trips from the area. If you want to add more varied activities beyond the Fort Yates corridor, this is an excellent place to do it. The park combines historic sites, a visitor center museum, trails, campground facilities, and Missouri River scenery in one large destination.
What makes the park so useful is its range. You can spend time indoors at the visitor center, walk among reconstructed historic features, and choose a trail based on your energy level. That flexibility suits mixed groups well, especially when some people want history and others want fresh air. It also makes the drive from Solen feel worthwhile because you can build several kinds of experiences into one stop.
This park is ideal for history fans, families, and travelers who like to balance learning with light outdoor time. It can also fit well into a broader regional trip with Bismarck and Mandan historic sites nearby. If you enjoy combining small-town base stays with bigger day excursions, this is the kind of outing that adds depth to a North Dakota trip, much like combining rural stops with larger attractions in Austin, MN or Albert Lea, MN. Start at the visitor center for the clearest overview and allow plenty of time, because the park offers more than one quick look can cover.
Address: 4480 Ft. Lincoln Road, Mandan, ND 58554
12. On-A-Slant Indian Village
This historic village site is in Mandan inside Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, about 85 miles north of Solen, and it is one of the most important Indigenous history stops in the wider region. The park says the site now has six reconstructed earthlodges, including a large council lodge. That helps visitors picture the scale and form of a historic Mandan community in a way that a simple marker cannot.
A self-guided walk here gives useful insight into Mandan lifeways and the deeper human history of this landscape. For travelers visiting Solen and the Standing Rock area, this stop can expand the story of the northern Plains by showing another major Indigenous cultural site in North Dakota. It is educational without needing a complicated tour structure, which makes it approachable for many types of visitors.
This stop is best for travelers who want context, not just scenery. Families with older children, history-minded adults, and anyone interested in Native history will likely find it especially worthwhile. Because self-guided tours are available during the summer season and operation dates are listed from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, seasonal timing matters. Pairing this site with the rest of Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park makes the drive from Solen more rewarding, since you can explore several major features in one day. Give yourself enough time to walk slowly and read the site carefully rather than treating it as a fast add-on.
Address: Inside Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, 4480 Ft. Lincoln Road, Mandan, ND 58554
13. Custer House at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
This reconstructed house is in Mandan inside Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, roughly 85 miles north of Solen, and it is one of North Dakota’s best-known military history attractions. The Victorian-style home of George and Libbie Custer is open for living history tours, which gives the visit a more immersive feel than a standard static display.
What makes this stop worthwhile is the way it fits into the larger fort setting. You are not only looking at one building. You are stepping into a site that helps explain the military history of the region through a reconstructed domestic space and adjacent cavalry post features. That combination can make the past feel more tangible, especially for visitors who enjoy places where interpretation is built into the setting itself.
This attraction suits history enthusiasts most of all, but it also works for families and general travelers who want one of the state’s signature heritage stops. Tours operate during the interpretive season from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, so planning ahead is important if this is a priority. The park also lists an interpretive pass for adults and students, which helps visitors know there is a separate tour component rather than casual walk-up access to everything. If you are making the drive from Solen for a history day, this is one of the best reasons to do it.
Address: Inside Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, 4480 Ft. Lincoln Road, Mandan, ND 58554
14. Mato-Tope Trail
This trail is in Mandan inside Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, about 85 miles north of Solen, and it is one of the easiest nature walks available on a day trip from the area. The route is 1.4 miles and loops the campground along the rivers and near the old Northern Pacific Railroad line. That gives it both scenic and historical character without making it demanding.
For visitors who want a break from museum spaces or reconstructed buildings, this trail adds movement and open-air time to the park visit. It is open for hiking, snowshoeing, and mountain biking, so it remains useful across seasons and for different travel styles. The moderate length also makes it easy to fit into a busier day without cutting out other park highlights.
This trail is a good fit for casual walkers, families, and travelers who prefer shorter routes with clear practical value. You do not need to be a serious hiker to enjoy it. Instead, it works best as a simple way to experience the landscape around the Missouri and Heart Rivers. If your Solen-area trip includes both scenic drives and history sites, a walk like this keeps the itinerary from feeling too car-heavy. Wear appropriate shoes, allow a little extra time for stops, and consider pairing it with one of the nearby historic sites in the park so the outing feels balanced rather than rushed.
Address: Trail within Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, beginning near the confluence of the Missouri and Heart Rivers at 4480 Ft. Lincoln Road, Mandan, ND 58554
15. Little Sioux Trail
This trail is in Mandan inside Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, roughly 85 miles north of Solen, and it is a good short route for visitors who want a simple outdoor taste of the park. The trail is a 1-mile loop through native prairie, buffaloberry and snowberry shrublands, and green ash woodlands. That variety helps it feel richer than its short length might suggest.
Because it is brief and clearly defined, this trail is a strong option for people who do not want a long hike but still want to see the landscape up close. It is open to hiking, snowshoeing, horseback riding, and mountain biking, which adds flexibility for different kinds of visitors and different times of year. For many travelers, that makes it easier to commit to than a longer route.
This stop suits casual walkers, families, and anyone building a mixed day at Fort Abraham Lincoln rather than a hiking-only outing. It can also be useful for travelers who have driven up from Solen and want to stretch their legs without using too much of the day. Short scenic trails often become some of the most satisfying stops on a road trip because they are easy to enjoy even when energy is low. If you like small but meaningful outdoor breaks while visiting historic sites, this loop is a very practical addition to the park portion of your trip.
Address: Trail within Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, 4480 Ft. Lincoln Road, Mandan, ND 58554
16. Bloody Knife Trail
This trail is in Mandan inside Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, about 85 miles north of Solen, and it gives active visitors another distinct option on the same day trip. The scenic loop is roughly 1.9 miles and runs near the reconstructed cavalry post. That means it combines a modest workout with historical atmosphere and bird-watching potential.
Compared with the park’s shortest routes, Bloody Knife Trail asks for a bit more time but still remains very manageable for most visitors. It is open to hiking, snowshoeing, horseback riding, and mountain biking, though bikes are not allowed within Cavalry Square. That note matters for planning, especially if you are choosing between walking and riding activities at the park.
This trail is a good fit for travelers who like to break up historical touring with a scenic walk. It also works for repeat visitors to Fort Abraham Lincoln who want to see a different side of the property beyond the best-known structures. If your Solen trip includes several driving-heavy days, adding a trail like this can make the overall experience feel more balanced. The route is still short enough to pair with village and fort attractions without overloading the day. Bring water, keep an eye on the weather, and give yourself time for bird-watching if that interests you, since the trail is noted as a scenic wildlife-friendly option.
Address: Trail within Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, starting just south of the Post Cemetery at 4480 Ft. Lincoln Road, Mandan, ND 58554
17. Camp Hancock State Historic Site
This historic site is in Bismarck, roughly 80 miles north of Solen, and it is a useful stop for travelers interested in military, railroad, and early town history. Camp Hancock preserves part of the 1870s military installation established to protect Northern Pacific Railroad work crews. That gives the site a clear role in the story of settlement and transportation in the region.
The site includes outdoor interpretive signs, a museum in the officers quarters, the oldest church in Bismarck, and a 1909 locomotive. That mix means visitors can see several different kinds of historic features in one compact place. It works well for people who like a site with visual variety rather than one marker and a short walk.
This attraction suits history-minded travelers, families doing a Bismarck day trip, and road trippers who want an easy stop with free admission. Since the grounds and outdoor signs are open year round, it also offers flexibility for people visiting outside the main summer season. The buildings are open for events, school tours, rentals, and by appointment, so indoor access may require more planning. If you are already heading north from Solen for a history-focused day, Camp Hancock pairs naturally with other Bismarck and Mandan sites. It is a straightforward, informative stop that helps connect local history with the wider northern Plains story.
Address: 101 East Main Ave., Bismarck, ND 58501
18. Double Ditch Indian Village State Historic Site
This historic site is near Bismarck, roughly 85 miles north of Solen, and it is one of the region’s strongest blufftop archaeology stops. The site preserves the remains of a large Mandan earthlodge village occupied for centuries. For visitors interested in deep regional history, that long span of occupation gives the place unusual importance.
At Double Ditch, visitors can walk paths with interpretive signage and see visible archaeological traces including village ditches and lodge areas. That makes it easier to understand the scale of the former settlement without needing reconstructed buildings. The blufftop setting also adds scenic value, which can make the visit appealing even to people who are only partly focused on archaeology.
This site is best for travelers who appreciate self-guided outdoor history and do not need many facilities to enjoy a stop. It is open year round and free, though the State Historical Society notes there are no facilities. That means it is wise to arrive prepared and to combine it with fuller-service stops in Bismarck or Mandan. If your Solen trip is built around learning about Indigenous history in different parts of North Dakota, Double Ditch is an excellent complement to the Standing Rock and Fort Abraham Lincoln sites. The place rewards slow walking, careful reading, and a willingness to imagine the scale of what once stood here.
Address: ND 1804, Bismarck, ND; located seven and one-half miles north of Bismarck.
19. Fort Rice State Historic Site
This historic site is near Mandan, roughly 95 miles north of Solen, and it is a good detour for travelers with a specific interest in frontier and military history. Fort Rice was one of the most important military posts on the Upper Missouri. Today, visitors can see depressions, foundation lines, WPA corner markers, and a site marker with map and history.
What makes Fort Rice distinct is that it asks you to read the ground carefully. This is not a reconstructed fort packed with buildings. Instead, it is a site where traces and layout carry the story. For visitors who enjoy imagining the original scale of a place from what remains, that can be very rewarding. For others, it may feel more specialized, which is why it works best as a purposeful stop rather than a casual one.
This site is most suitable for dedicated history travelers and people already exploring the south-of-Mandan area. It is free to visit, and parking is available, but there are no visitor services, so practical preparation matters. If you are the kind of traveler who likes sites where interpretation and landscape do the work, Fort Rice can add a thoughtful final layer to a regional history trip from Solen. It may be quieter and less developed than some nearby attractions, but that simplicity is part of its value.
Address: Located approximately 30 miles south of Mandan, ND.
Final Thoughts
Solen is not the kind of place with a dense downtown attraction list, and that is exactly why careful planning matters here. The best trips use Solen as a base for meaningful regional exploring. Fort Yates offers the closest concentration of history, lake access, and practical services. The Standing Rock scenic byway ties several of those stops together in a natural way. Farther north, Mandan, Bismarck, and nearby historic sites add strong day-trip options if you want a broader look at North Dakota history and landscapes.
The strongest approach is to group your outings by area instead of trying to see everything at once. One day can focus on Fort Yates, Prairie Knights, and Lake Oahe. Another can focus on Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park and nearby archaeology sites. If you enjoy quiet scenery, self-guided learning, and places with strong ties to the land, the Solen area can be more rewarding than it first appears.