Beulah Bay Campground

RV rentals in Mercer County are the easiest way to guarantee you'll find the RV rental unit that is perfect for your vacation. Once you've chosen one, focus your sights on Audubon National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This important habitat is comprised of planted grasslands, native prairie, and wetlands, all of them home to an extensive array of bird species, mammals, reptiles, and fish. It's a popular area for birders, and if you enjoy this activity, you'll have an opportunity to observe waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and shorebirds, among other species. You can go hiking on the gravel nature trail that winds through the different ecosystems or use the on-site bird blind while you're waiting to catch a glimpse. There is an autoroute tour you can take, but the road is gravel; you should ask about the road conditions before taking your RV along this path.

Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939 by an executive order from then-president Franklin D. Roosevelt after the lake had been created from the construction of a dam. It's a multi-use park, but the main emphasis is on providing a breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. You can enjoy the picnic areas which are fitted with tables, charcoal grills, trash cans, and restrooms. There's a fishing pier and a boat ramp so you can fish for northern pike, perch, and bluegill, and a nature trail allowing you access to hiking, nature observation, and photography. The trail has interpretive signs and benches as it follows the lakeshore. Park your camper rental near the refuge, and you can take your catch straight from the water to the fridge, or even use it as a bird and wildlife blind while enjoying a hot drink.

Little Missouri State Park is a breathtaking journey through the North Dakota badlands with tens of miles of trails for you to enjoy. The park is open from May to October and allows camping in both modern and primitive campsites, and hiking and horseback riding on the trails. Conditions in the park and on the trails can vary significantly according to the weather, so you should contact the park staff and ask about the conditions before you head out.

Now that you've had a taste of the natural environment, it's time to enjoy what the urban areas have to offer. Stanton is a small, friendly town where you'll find the Fort Clark State Historic Site, an archaeological site where you can take a leisurely walk on a dedicated path and read the kiosks that explain the history of the area, including the smallpox and cholera epidemics. There is a small stone hut near the end of the trail. You'll also find Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site just north of Stanton; this site was an important Native American trading site for centuries and where the villagers farmed and hunted bison. If you're starting to feel hungry (and you should be by now), there are a number of restaurants just a stone's throw from Stanton. One of them is a steakhouse with a relaxed, casual atmosphere and good service; it specializes in smoked meats (steaks and hamburgers) and has specials on certain nights.

Golden Valley and the surrounding area is another good location to stop for a meal. It has both locally owned and operated restaurants alongside commercial chain venues, so there is something for everyone. One of the pub-style restaurants has a casual atmosphere with tunes playing on a jukebox and friendly staff and is open from lunch to late in the evening. The menu consists mostly of steaks and seafood, with sandwiches, hamburgers, and appetizers, plus a salad bar on weekends.

Peace and quiet, with access to nature, urban attractions, and friendly atmospheres are what you'll find in Mercer County, North Dakota, and Beulah Bay Campground is where you can base your journey.