Julie and I recently explored North Dakota, adding a new state and national park to our places visited list. While we planned to see several key attractions, we stumbled upon a fun side adventure full of whimsical wonders on the Enchanted Highway. The unexpected discovery was so enjoyable that we are excited to share it with you so you can plan your road trip escapade.
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Listen to the Locals
Julie and I often receive insightful tips and great suggestions from locals during our travels. We are grateful to the friendly North Dakotans we met along our latest journey. While having lunch, our waitress asked, “Are you driving the Enchanted Highway?” With dumbfounded expressions, Julie and I immediately responded in unison, “What’s that?” After her explanation, we scarfed down our tasty food and hit the road within a few minutes.
What Is the Enchanted Highway, and Where Can You Find It?
The Enchanted Highway is a 32-mile scenic drive in southwestern North Dakota, beginning in Gladstone and ending in Regent. While traveling I-94 across the state, take exit 72 and head south.
Along the journey, you will encounter the world’s largest collection of scrap metal sculptures designed by Gary Greff. Each roadside attraction is easy to spot and has a parking area. Signs note the mileage to the next stop.
Although not as adored as Theodore Roosevelt, Greff’s legend quickly grows among North Dakotans. Greff was concerned about the decline of small-town America, particularly his beloved hometown of Regent. Despite his lack of art and welding experience, he created giant roadside attractions constructed from scrap metal to draw travelers to his part of the state. Now, travelers from far and wide drive the Enchanted Highway to admire his artistic sculptures.
Geese in Flight
The first sculpture on the Enchanted Highway sits at Mile 0 and is the only one visible from I-94. Unlike the other roadside attractions, Geese in Flight requires a short drive off the main road. Flying geese line the dirt road on each side. Please note it is bumpy and contains some ruts due to rain erosion.
Completed in 2001, Geese in Flight proudly boasts the world’s largest scrap metal sculpture title, according to Guinness World Records. It is 110 feet tall, over 150 feet wide, and weighs a staggering 78.8 tons. Greff constructed the masterpiece using over five miles of oil well tanks and pipes. He also used five cranes to lift and position the giant sculpture. The labor of love took six years to complete and was Grefff’s most expensive project.
Deer Crossing
At Mile 3, you will find Deer Crossing, which depicts a 70-foot-tall buck jumping a fence and a 50-foot-tall doe preparing to leap. Greff utilized an art technique called shadowing to accent the deer’s lean, muscular shape.
Many deer inhabit our hometown, so this striking roadside attraction spoke to us. We could not help but marvel at the size of the sculpture. It practically comes to life as tall blades of grass whip in the gusty North Dakota winds. The stop includes a fun maze to navigate, perfect for children.
Grasshoppers in the Field
Mile 15 houses the most controversial sculpture, Grasshoppers in the Field. Some local farmers do not like it because it reminds them of the nasty pests that can attack their crops. Rather than glorifying grasshoppers, Greff’s sculpture honors farmers, their work ethic, and their never-ending efforts to battle insect infestation.
While insects sometimes give me the heebeegeebees, the roadside attraction is impressive. The most enormous grasshopper measures 60 feet long and 40 feet tall. Shafts of wheat flap in the wind, pointing in various directions, giving the scene more detail. Upon close inspection, you can see many interconnecting parts, deepening your appreciation for Greff’s work.
Fisherman’s Dream
At Mile 19, you will see the most intricate roadside attraction on the Enchanted Highway. It is an ode to a favorite outdoor activity for many North Dakotans. Picture a man on his day off at his favorite fishing hole. He often finds nary a nibble, but today, those waters teem with giant fish. It is a dream indeed.
A 70-foot-long rainbow trout jumps out of the water to eat a dragonfly. Various 35-foot-long fish swim in the water. Aquatic plants and cattails provide depth to the sculpture. You can climb aboard a small sunken boat, perfect for pictures in the dream world.
Pheasants on the Prairie
Julie and I recently spotted pheasants in the wild for the first time during our cruise to the British Isles. While driving through England, we saw them in open fields, nestled in the tall blades of grass. So, I was excited to discover the Pheasants on the Prairie exhibit at Mile 24 on the Enchanted Highway.
The sculpture honors pheasant hunting, a popular activity in North Dakota. It comprises a 40-foot-tall rooster, a 35-foot-tall hen, and 20-foot-tall chicks. Greff constructed the giant birds with bent oil well pipes for the skeletons and gravel screening metal mesh for the feathers. After seeing the metal pheasants, we began spotting live pheasants sitting in the grass here and there along the scenic drive. It takes a keen eye, but you will occasionally find a flash of red or blue, revealing a pheasant.
Teddy Rides Again
Theodore Roosevelt, America’s 26th President and North Dakota’s most beloved legend, sits atop a rearing horse at Mile 26. Although born in New York, Roosevelt proudly stated his romance for life began in North Dakota. The sculpture, made from bent oil well pipe, towers 51 feet into the sky.
Local volunteer carpenters contributed to the scene by adding a wooden stagecoach pulled by four horses. It is an excellent photo opportunity for kids (and adults).
World’s Largest Tin Family
The World’s Largest Tin Family is the first sculpture created by Greff on the Enchanted Highway. It sits at Mile 30, the last stop before his hometown. Greff aims to capture the importance of family and its significance to the state’s heritage and culture.
You will find a 45-foot-tall father, a 43-foot-tall mother, and a 23-foot-tall son donning broad smiles. The figures are crafted with fuel, oil well, and stock tanks. Greff has stated that he hopes to give the family a daughter and pets in the future. You will find the Enchanted Castle Gift Shop two miles south from here.
Sir Albert and the Dragon
Greff’s most recent roadside attraction dominates the horizon at Mile 32.5. It depicts a knight thrusting his sword across the top of a shield planted in the ground. Sir Albert stands 41 feet high, battling a 100-foot-long menacing green dragon. Greff constructed both figures from oil well tank scraps.
Travelers can stay at the Enchanted Castle Hotel. It is adjacent to the fantasy-like sculpture, essentially part of the scene with a castle wall, drawbridge, and moat.
Plan Your Enchanted Highway Adventure
The Enchanted Highway is the perfect side adventure when visiting southwestern North Dakota. To the east, Bismarck and Mandan offer Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, boutique shopping, art, and tasty fare.
Medora, a quaint town to the west, is the gateway to the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It is full of history, offers a unique dining experience and musical, and feels like you traveled back to the Old West.
Traveling the Enchanted Highway is a fun, trippy adventure, part of a fantastic overall experience that combines natural beauty with artistic whimsical wonders.
Featured image credit: Miles with McConkey
