North Dakota’s Badlands honored by National Geographic
Steve Hallstrom
Special to The Farmer
Western North Dakota was already preparing to welcome the world in 2026, but now it appears a few more chairs will be needed.
The rugged landscape of the Badlands has gotten some international attention, after being named to National Geographic’s annual “BEST OF THE WORLD” list for 2026. The prestigious designation places the region alongside some of the biggest tourism brands in the world and will position the state and the region for a potential surge in tourism and economic attention as travelers seek new and impactful experiences.
National Geographic’s yearly compilation, selected by its team of travel experts and the editorial teams of its international Nat Geo Traveller editions, is designed to encourage travelers to rethink the idea of where they travel and how they get there. The goal is to give readers something out of the ordinary when it comes to connecting with local cultures and natural experiences around the world.
This year’s selection emphasizes destinations that are celebrating special events, milestones, and cultural happenings. The Badlands drew praise as an example of America’s accessible natural assets that are celebrating historic events in 2026.
McKenzie County Tourism Director, Doug Bolken told the Farmer, “For any of us in North Dakota, and Western North Dakota, to have the Badlands be recognized on a worldwide platform such as National Geographic being in their top 25 places to go worldwide, that’s pretty, pretty impressive. And there are many different Badlands areas, in North Dakota and South Dakota, so to have this part of North Dakota be recognized is pretty special.”
The inclusion of a state often overlooked in major international travel dialogues is a telling shift in how top travel experts are viewing the globe. Nat Geo’s 2026 list, which features locales ranging from Rwandan safaris and Moroccan oases to the “snow monsters” of Japan’s Zao mountains and the ancient Silk Road city of Khiva in Uzbekistan, intentionally sought out a blend places both remote and accessible.
For the full story, visit www.watfordcitynd.com and subscribe to the McKenzie County Farmer today!