Tucked into the rolling Pembina County countryside along the Tongue River, Icelandic State Park honors the Icelandic immigrants who settled this corner of North Dakota in the 1870s. The park’s 930 acres blend prairie grasslands, wooded river bottomlands, and one of the state’s finest stands of old-growth forest in the adjacent Gunlogson Nature Preserve — a rare remnant of the hardwood forests that once lined the region’s waterways.

The Gunlogson Homestead, preserved within the park, offers a window into pioneer life on the northern plains. Walking through the original farmstead buildings, you get a tangible sense of the isolation and resilience these settlers carried with them from Iceland. The Pioneer Heritage Center nearby houses artifacts and exhibits that deepen the story.

Hikers will find several miles of trails winding through the nature preserve, where towering oaks and ash trees create a canopy that feels worlds away from the open prairie just beyond the tree line. Birdwatching is particularly rewarding here — warblers, woodpeckers, and owls frequent the old-growth timber. In winter, the trails open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

The park’s campground sits near Lake Renwick, a small reservoir popular for fishing (northern pike, perch) and non-motorized boating. Sites accommodate both tents and RVs.

Summer and early fall are the best times to visit — the Tongue River valley turns vivid in autumn, and mosquito pressure eases by late August. If you’re driving Highway 5 through the northeast corner of the state, this park is well worth the detour.

Explore Nearby

• Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in North Dakota
• Native American Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in North Dakota
• Schnell Ranch Recreation Area — Public Land in North Dakota