North Dakota Trivia Questions How Much Do You Really Know About the Peace Garden State?

How well do you really know North Dakota? Sure, you might recognize the state for its wide-open prairies and rugged Badlands, but can you name its official state bird? Do you know which famous figures hail from North Dakota or what major historical events took place here? Whether you’re a trivia enthusiast, a history buff, or just looking for a fun challenge, this collection of North Dakota trivia questions will test your knowledge in exciting ways.

From geography and wildlife to pop culture and quirky state facts, these questions cover a little bit of everything. Gather your friends, test your memory, and see who knows North Dakota best! And don’t worry if you get stumped—answers are included below. Let’s dive into the trivia fun!

Round 1 – Multiple Choice North Dakota Questions

What is the capital city of North Dakota?
- a) Bismarck
- b) Fargo
- c) Grand Forks
- d) Minot
Which river forms a portion of North Dakota’s eastern border?
- a) Missouri River
- b) Red River
- c) Mississippi River
- d) Yellowstone River
What is the highest point in North Dakota?
- a) White Butte
- b) Black Butte
- c) Blue Butte
- d) Green Butte
What industry is central to North Dakota’s economy?
- a) Entertainment
- b) Agriculture
- c) Technology
- d) Tourism
Which famous explorer visited what is now North Dakota in 1804?
- a) Christopher Columbus
- b) Lewis and Clark
- c) Ferdinand Magellan
- d) Marco Polo
North Dakota is known as the:
- a) Sunshine State
- b) Peace Garden State
- c) Garden State
- d) Land of Enchantment
Which industry experienced a boom in North Dakota due to the Bakken Formation?
- a) Oil
- b) Mining
- c) Fishing
- d) Timber
The International Peace Garden straddles the border between North Dakota and which Canadian province?
- a) Ontario
- b) Alberta
- c) Manitoba
- d) Saskatchewan
What is the state flower of North Dakota?
- a) Sunflower
- b) Rose
- c) Bluebonnet
- d) Tulip
The North Dakota State Capitol is notable for its:
- a) Gothic architecture
- b) Art Deco style
- c) Modernist design
- d) Neoclassical facade
Which of the following is NOT a county in North Dakota?
- a) Ramsey
- b) Burleigh
- c) Lincoln
- d) Adams
What is the North Dakota state bird?
- a) Bald Eagle
- b) Western Meadowlark
- c) American Robin
- d) Northern Cardinal
What is the name of the annual summer event held in Fargo, North Dakota, featuring live music, food vendors, and cultural performances?
- a) Fargo Fest
- b) Downtown Street Fair
- c) Red River Valley Fair
- d) Summerfest
Which major interstate highway runs through North Dakota from east to west?
- a) Interstate 80
- b) Interstate 90
- c) Interstate 94
- d) Interstate 70
What is the name of the large lake located in the northeastern corner of North Dakota?
- a) Lake Superior
- b) Lake Michigan
- c) Devils Lake
- d) Lake Sakakawea
In which year did North Dakota achieve statehood?
- a) 1889
- b) 1901
- c) 1867
- d) 1848
Which famous folk musician was born in Duluth, Minnesota, but raised in Hibbing, Minnesota, near the North Dakota border?
- a) Bob Dylan
- b) Woody Guthrie
- c) Pete Seeger
- d) Joan Baez

Round 1 – Answer

What is the capital city of North Dakota?
- Answer: a) Bismarck
Which river forms a portion of North Dakota’s eastern border?
- Answer: b) Red River
What is the highest point in North Dakota?
- Answer: a) White Butte
What industry is central to North Dakota’s economy?
- Answer: b) Agriculture
Which famous explorer visited what is now North Dakota in 1804?
- Answer: b) Lewis and Clark
North Dakota is known as the:
- Answer: b) Peace Garden State
Which industry experienced a boom in North Dakota due to the Bakken Formation?
- Answer: a) Oil
The International Peace Garden straddles the border between North Dakota and which Canadian province?
- Answer: c) Manitoba
What is the state flower of North Dakota?
- Answer: a) Sunflower
The North Dakota State Capitol is notable for its:
- Answer: b) Art Deco style
Which of the following is NOT a county in North Dakota?
- Answer: d) Adams
What is the North Dakota state bird?
- Answer: b) Western Meadowlark
What is the name of the annual summer event held in Fargo, North Dakota, featuring live music, food vendors, and cultural performances?
- Answer: c) Downtown Street Fair
Which major interstate highway runs through North Dakota from east to west?
- Answer: c) Interstate 94
What is the name of the large lake located in the northeastern corner of North Dakota?
- Answer: c) Devils Lake
In which year did North Dakota achieve statehood?
- Answer: a) 1889
Which famous folk musician was born in Duluth, Minnesota, but raised in Hibbing, Minnesota, near the North Dakota border?
- Answer: a) Bob Dylan

Round 2 – Multiple Choice North Dakota Questions

What is North Dakota’s state fish?
- a) Rainbow Trout
- b) Walleye
- c) Northern Pike
- d) Bluegill
The Enchanted Highway, featuring various large metal sculptures, is located in which part of North Dakota?
- a) Eastern
- b) Western
- c) Northern
- d) Central
Which of the following is a prominent feature of North Dakota’s landscape?
- a) Deserts
- b) Mountains
- c) Prairies
- d) Rainforests
Which Native American tribe is headquartered on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota?
- a) Lakota
- b) Cherokee
- c) Chippewa
- d) Blackfoot
What is the primary purpose of the Garrison Dam on the Missouri River in North Dakota?
- a) Hydroelectric power generation
- b) Flood control
- c) Drinking water supply
- d) Irrigation
What is the state tree of North Dakota?
- a) Oak
- b) Birch
- c) Elm
- d) American Elm
Which U.S. president famously said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick,” and spent time ranching in North Dakota?
- a) Theodore Roosevelt
- b) Franklin D. Roosevelt
- c) Woodrow Wilson
- d) Calvin Coolidge
What is the name of the major university located in Fargo, North Dakota?
- a) University of North Dakota
- b) North Dakota State University
- c) Concordia College
- d) Minot State University
The town of Rugby, North Dakota, is known as the geographical center of:
- a) North America
- b) The United States
- c) The North American continent
- d) The Western Hemisphere
What is the state mammal of North Dakota?
- a) American Bison
- b) White-tailed Deer
- c) Coyote
- d) Black Bear
Which Native American tribe predominantly resides on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in North Dakota?
- a) Lakota
- b) Chippewa
- c) Apache
- d) Navajo
The Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area, known for its scenic beauty, is located in which part of North Dakota?
- a) Eastern
- b) Western
- c) Northern
- d) Southern
The Red River Valley is known for its rich:
- a) Gold deposits
- b) Oil reserves
- c) Agricultural soil
- d) Timber resources
Which famous North Dakota-born journalist became the anchor of the CBS Evening News from 1981 to 2005?
- a) Tom Brokaw
- b) Walter Cronkite
- c) Peter Jennings
- d) Dan Rather
What is the nickname for North Dakota’s basketball team, competing in the NCAA Division I?
- a) Thunderbirds
- b) Bison
- c) Fighting Sioux
- d) Fighting Hawks
The Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot, North Dakota, pays homage to the cultural heritage of immigrants from:
- a) Sweden, Norway, and Denmark
- b) Germany, Italy, and France
- c) Poland, Ukraine, and Russia
- d) Ireland, Scotland, and Wales
The Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot, North Dakota, features a replica of which famous Danish landmark?
- a) Tivoli Gardens
- b) Little Mermaid Statue
- c) Kronborg Castle
- d) Christiansborg Palace

Round 2 – Answer

What is North Dakota’s state fish?
- Answer: b) Walleye
The Enchanted Highway, featuring various large metal sculptures, is located in which part of North Dakota?
- Answer: b) Western
Which of the following is a prominent feature of North Dakota’s landscape?
- Answer: c) Prairies
Which Native American tribe is headquartered on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota?
- Answer: a) Lakota
What is the primary purpose of the Garrison Dam on the Missouri River in North Dakota?
- Answer: a) Hydroelectric power generation
What is the state tree of North Dakota?
- Answer: d) American Elm
Which U.S. president famously said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick,” and spent time ranching in North Dakota?
- Answer: a) Theodore Roosevelt
What is the name of the major university located in Fargo, North Dakota?
- Answer: b) North Dakota State University
The town of Rugby, North Dakota, is known as the geographical center of:
- Answer: c) The North American continent
What is the state mammal of North Dakota?
- Answer: a) American Bison
Which Native American tribe predominantly resides on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in North Dakota?
- Answer: b) Chippewa
The Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area, known for its scenic beauty, is located in which part of North Dakota?
- Answer: a) Eastern
The Red River Valley is known for its rich:
- Answer: c) Agricultural soil
Which famous North Dakota-born journalist became the anchor of the CBS Evening News from 1981 to 2005?
- Answer: d) Dan Rather
What is the nickname for North Dakota’s basketball team, competing in the NCAA Division I?
- Answer: d) Fighting Hawks
The Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot, North Dakota, pays homage to the cultural heritage of immigrants from:
- Answer: a) Sweden, Norway, and Denmark
The Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot, North Dakota, features a replica of which famous Danish landmark?
- Answer: b) Little Mermaid Statue

Round 3 – Multiple Choice North Dakota Questions

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is divided into three units. Which one is located in the South Unit?
- a) Painted Canyon
- b) Elkhorn Ranch
- c) Wind Canyon
- d) Buck Hill
What is the largest industry in the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota?
- a) Agriculture
- b) Technology
- c) Healthcare
- d) Education
The Fargo Theatre, an iconic historic venue, is known for its:
- a) Broadway productions
- b) Classical music concerts
- c) Independent film screenings
- d) Stand-up comedy shows
In which North Dakota county is the Maah Daah Hey Trail, a popular hiking and biking trail?
- a) McKenzie County
- b) Stark County
- c) Ward County
- d) Billings County
What is the name of the largest Native American reservation in North Dakota?
- a) Fort Berthold Indian Reservation
- b) Standing Rock Indian Reservation
- c) Spirit Lake Reservation
- d) Turtle Mountain Reservation
The Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot, North Dakota, features a replica of which famous Norwegian landmark?
- a) Oslo Opera House
- b) Holmenkollen Ski Jump
- c) Viking Ship Museum
- d) Gol Stave Church
What is the state fossil of North Dakota?
- a) Tyrannosaurus rex
- b) Triceratops
- c) Pteranodon
- d) Teredo petrified wood
The Medora Musical, a popular outdoor musical production, is held in which scenic area of North Dakota?
- a) Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- b) International Peace Garden
- c) Sheyenne National Grassland
- d) Lewis and Clark State Park
Which North Dakota city is known for its annual Potato Bowl football game?
- a) Grand Forks
- b) Fargo
- c) Bismarck
- d) Minot
The Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as:
- a) Skiing and snowboarding
- b) Rock climbing and rappelling
- c) Hiking and mountain biking
- d) Surfing and sailing
What is the name of the historic military fort established in 1872 along the Missouri River in present-day North Dakota?
- a) Fort Union
- b) Fort Abraham Lincoln
- c) Fort Buford
- d) Fort Totten
North Dakota is one of the few U.S. states without what natural geographical feature?
- a) Mountains
- b) Lakes
- c) Rivers
- d) Forests
Which river flows through the Rile River Valley, a scenic area in eastern North Dakota?
- a) Missouri River
- b) Red River
- c) Sheyenne River
- d) James River
What is the state insect of North Dakota?
- a) Monarch Butterfly
- b) Honeybee
- c) Ladybug
- d) Western Meadowlark
The Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot features a replica of which famous Swedish structure?
- a) Drottningholm Palace
- b) Vasa Museum
- c) Stockholm City Hall
- d) Lund Cathedral
Which Native American tribe predominantly resides on the Spirit Lake Reservation?
- a) Lakota
- b) Dakota
- c) Chippewa
- d) Mandan

Round 3 – Answer

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is divided into three units. Which one is located in the South Unit?
- Answer: a) Painted Canyon
What is the largest industry in the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota?
- Answer: b) Technology
The Fargo Theatre, an iconic historic venue, is known for its:
- Answer: c) Independent film screenings
In which North Dakota county is the Maah Daah Hey Trail, a popular hiking and biking trail?
- Answer: a) McKenzie County
What is the name of the largest Native American reservation in North Dakota?
- Answer: a) Fort Berthold Indian Reservation
The Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot, North Dakota, features a replica of which famous Norwegian landmark?
- Answer: d) Gol Stave Church
What is the state fossil of North Dakota?
- Answer: d) Teredo petrified wood
The Medora Musical, a popular outdoor musical production, is held in which scenic area of North Dakota?
- Answer: a) Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Which North Dakota city is known for its annual Potato Bowl football game?
- Answer: a) Grand Forks
The Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as:
- Answer: c) Hiking and mountain biking
What is the name of the historic military fort established in 1872 along the Missouri River in present-day North Dakota?
- Answer: b) Fort Abraham Lincoln
North Dakota is one of the few U.S. states without what natural geographical feature?
- Answer: a) Mountains
Which river flows through the Riel River Valley, a scenic area in eastern North Dakota?
- Answer: c) Sheyenne River
What is the state insect of North Dakota?
- Answer: b) Honeybee
The Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot features a replica of which famous Swedish structure?
- Answer: c) Stockholm City Hall
Which Native American tribe predominantly resides on the Spirit Lake Reservation?
- Answer: b) Dakota

Round 4 – Multiple Choice North Dakota Questions

Which national wildlife refuge in North Dakota is known for its large population of migratory birds, especially waterfowl?
- a) Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- b) Audubon National Wildlife Refuge
- c) J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge
- d) Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge
Which North Dakota town is home to the world’s largest buffalo monument?
- a) Jamestown
- b) Mandan
- c) Valley City
- d) Rugby
What is the traditional food product made from durum wheat that is strongly associated with North Dakota?
- a) Cornbread
- b) Pasta
- c) Tortillas
- d) Sourdough bread
Which North Dakota city hosts the annual “German Days” celebration?
- a) Bismarck
- b) Fargo
- c) Mandan
- d) Dickinson
The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, honoring the state’s ranching heritage, is located in which city?
- a) Bismarck
- b) Fargo
- c) Medora
- d) Minot
The International Peace Garden was established to commemorate peace between which two countries?
- a) United States and Canada
- b) United States and Mexico
- c) Canada and Mexico
- d) United States and Russia
The Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area straddles the border between North Dakota and which neighboring state?
- a) Minnesota
- b) Montana
- c) South Dakota
- d) Wyoming
Which Native American tribe predominantly resides on the Fort Totten Indian Reservation in North Dakota?
- a) Sioux
- b) Apache
- c) Mandan
- d) Arikara
The North Dakota State Capitol features a statue of which prominent political figure, known as “The Fighting Liberal”?
- a) Thomas Jefferson
- b) Abraham Lincoln
- c) William Jennings Bryan
- d) William Lemke
Which U.S. highway runs diagonally across North Dakota from southeast to northwest?
- a) U.S. Route 2
- b) U.S. Route 12
- c) U.S. Route 52
- d) U.S. Route 83
What is the state drink of North Dakota, often enjoyed during celebrations and social gatherings?
- a) Beer
- b) Wine
- c) Milk
- d) Knoephla soup
What is the name of the lake formed by the Garrison Dam on the Missouri River?
- a) Lake Oahe
- b) Lake Sakakawea
- c) Lake Traverse
- d) Lake Tschida
Which North Dakota county is known for its unique geological features, including the Painted Canyon?
- a) McKenzie County
- b) Stark County
- c) Billings County
- d) Bottineau County
What is the name of the annual winter celebration held in Fargo, North Dakota, featuring ice sculptures, snow sculpting competitions, and more?
- a) Frost Fest
- b) Snowfest
- c) Winterfest
- d) Frostival
Which Native American tribe predominantly resides on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota?
- a) Lakota
- b) Dakota
- c) Mandan
- d) Arikara
Which North Dakota city is home to the International Peace Garden?
- a) Grand Forks
- b) Bottineau
- c) Williston
- d) Wahpeton
What is the name of the geological formation located in western North Dakota that contains substantial deposits of oil and natural gas?
- a) Williston Basin
- b) Bismarck Formation
- c) Badlands Formation
- d) Bakken Formation

Round 4 – Answer

Which national wildlife refuge in North Dakota is known for its large population of migratory birds, especially waterfowl?
- Answer: c) J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge
Which North Dakota town is home to the world’s largest buffalo monument?
- Answer: a) Jamestown
What is the traditional food product made from durum wheat that is strongly associated with North Dakota?
- Answer: b) Pasta
Which North Dakota city hosts the annual “German Days” celebration?
- Answer: c) Mandan
The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, honoring the state’s ranching heritage, is located in which city?
- Answer: c) Medora
The International Peace Garden was established to commemorate peace between which two countries?
- Answer: a) United States and Canada
The Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area straddles the border between North Dakota and which neighboring state?
- Answer: a) Minnesota
Which Native American tribe predominantly resides on the Fort Totten Indian Reservation in North Dakota?
- Answer: a) Sioux
The North Dakota State Capitol features a statue of which prominent political figure, known as “The Fighting Liberal”?
- Answer: d) William Lemke
Which U.S. highway runs diagonally across North Dakota from southeast to northwest?
- Answer: c) U.S. Route 52
What is the state drink of North Dakota, often enjoyed during celebrations and social gatherings?
- Answer: b) Little Mermaid Statue
What is the name of the lake formed by the Garrison Dam on the Missouri River?
- Answer: b) Lake Sakakawea
Which North Dakota county is known for its unique geological features, including the Painted Canyon?
- Answer: c) Billings County
What is the name of the annual winter celebration held in Fargo, North Dakota, featuring ice sculptures, snow sculpting competitions, and more?
- Answer: d) Frostival
Which Native American tribe predominantly resides on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota?
- Answer: d) Arikara
Which North Dakota city is home to the International Peace Garden?
- Answer: b) Bottineau
What is the name of the geological formation located in western North Dakota that contains substantial deposits of oil and natural gas?
- Answer: d) Bakken Formation