Explore pet-friendly Indian villages on the Knife River! Learn how people have lived, worked and socialized here for over 11,000 years.
The History of the Indian Villages on the River Knife
This quiet location along the river Knife, surrounded by farmland as far as you can see, has not always been so quiet. At one point, nearly 400 people called this place home. And archaeologists believe the area has been occupied for over 11,000 years!
Long before Europeans reached the Americas, the Upper Missouri River and its tributaries functioned as a highway connecting the natives. The riverbanks also provide berries, nuts, and cover for the game. The earliest people to visit here were nomads, who crossed as they hunted.
Eventually, the hunter-gatherers followed. And the rich land they found allowed them to adopt agriculture and build permanent villages. They harvest the bounty provided by the river as it cuts through the grasslands.
Then there is Hidatsa and Mandan. They had lived along the Knife River for more than 200 years when the first French merchants arrived in their village in 1738.
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During the summer, the tribes live on the natural terraces near the river in large earthen lodges. With a diameter of 30 to 60 feet, the women of the village are responsible for building the house.
Each motel is home to large families from 5 to 15 people. Women also take care of the gardens, which provide much of the food for the family.
The men mainly focused on hunting and raiding. Bison, deer, elk, mini-games and fish add to their diet. These animals also provided raw hides and bones for the tools. Raiding is a way to collect horses and other loot.
Lewis and Clark meet Sakakawea
In 1804, Captains William Clark and Meriwether Lewis sailed from St. Louis on a mission to explore the Missouri River. They are looking for a passage to the Pacific Ocean.
After traveling 1,600 miles, they reached what is now the Indian Village on the Knife River. And as winter approached, they built a fortress and planned to continue their journey in the spring. Lewis and Clark named their post Fort Mandan, in honor of their neighbors. During the winter, the tourists visited and shared information with the tribe.
Finally, Louis and Clark meet Toussaint Charbonneau, a French-Canadian merchant. He lived among Hidatsa with his wife, Sakakawea (Sacagewea). Lewis and Clark realized that Sakakawea’s translations of tribal languages could be invaluable in their journey. So they hired Charbonneau and he, Sakakawea, and their son, Jean Baptiste, to join the expedition.
Although the group made it to the Pacific Ocean, they discovered no land waterways. By August 1806, the expedition had returned to the River Knife. Charbonneau, Sakakawea, and their son returned to live with their Hidatsa relatives.
Abandon the villages
Over time, Westerners have been exposed to natives to diseases to which they have no natural immunity. In 1837, a smallpox epidemic devastated much of India.
By 1845, the Mandan and Hidatsa tribes had abandoned their villages along the Knife River for a more remote location. Now, all that remains of the visible evidence of these great villages are hollows in the ground where earthen houses once stood.
Pets at Knife River Indian Village
Tied up pets are free to stroll the trails and explore the grounds at Indian Village on the River Knife site with you. They are not allowed inside the visitor center or the reconstructed earth lodge.
The Village Trail can be accessed from the visitor center. The North Forest Trail and the Two Rivers Trail are accessible from the parking areas on Hwy 18. Maps are available at the visitor center.
Pet rules in Indian villages on the Knife . River
- A leash is required and pet waste must be cleaned up and disposed of properly
- Pets are welcome on all trails and on the grounds
- Pets are not allowed inside the rebuilt earthen buildings or motels
The Village Trail offers the best views of the village’s former sites. It’s a beautiful walk to the quiet River Knife.
The rangers at this entertainment venue are also very friendly and informative. They’ll be happy to give you a tour of the rebuilt motel behind the visitor center, so be sure to ask.
One particularly amazing fact: it took about 9 months to complete the rebuilt motel with modern equipment. On the contrary, after the materials are collected, the women of the village build a new guesthouse within 7 to 10 days!
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When you’re in the area, be sure to visit Lake Sakakawea State Park. And if you’re going West, watch Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Medora.
We hope this post will make your trip to North Dakota more enjoyable!
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