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World's Largest Buffalo Monument, Jamestown, ND

Photo: w:User:Either way (photograph), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingFreeQuirky FunFamily Favorite

World's Largest Buffalo Monument

404 17th St SE · Jamestown, ND

Why you should go…

Dakota Thunder is a 26-foot-tall, 46-foot-long concrete bison that has stood over Jamestown since 1959. Sculptor Elmer Petersen built it from steel beams and reinforcing rods covered in sprayed cement, and it weighs about 60 tons. The statue got its name in 2010 after a contest that drew more than 3,500 entries. It anchors Frontier Village, a group of relocated historic buildings arranged like an 1800s town.

  • #roadside attraction
  • #giant statue
  • #bison
  • #frontier village
  • #photo stop

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to World's Largest Buffalo Monument, ordered by straight-line distance.

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    North American Bison Discovery Center

    Under $25

    See two small bison herds, galleries on bison history and the 26-foot World's Largest Buffalo statue next door in Jamestown.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Museums