11. Knife River Indian Villages (North Dakota)
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site in North Dakota preserves the remnants of Hidatsa and Mandan earthlodge villages that once thrived along the Missouri and Knife Rivers. Occupied for centuries, these communities were major centers of trade, agriculture, and culture. The site includes the reconstructed Awatixa Xi’e Village and the remains of Hidatsa homes, gardens, and storage pits.
It was here that Sacagawea lived before joining the Lewis and Clark expedition. The earthlodges—built with wood, earth, and grass—were durable homes suited to the Plains environment. Today, the site offers trails, museum exhibits, and insight into a vibrant Native American legacy.
