Visiting the International Peace Garden

It is July 3, and I am driving to Seattle from Milwaukee, towing my Airstream trailer and camping along the way. This is my second night out and one which I was concerned about finding a camping spot due to the holiday. My plan was to stay at the International Peace Garden found along the Canadian, US border in North Dakota, or Manitoba if you are coming from the north. I had made the correct choice not only was there room in the campground I stayed an extra day.

I was greeted by a friendly, enthusiastic attendant at the entrance who gave me a calendar of the weekend's events. I immediately decided to stay an additional night. There was a concert at the International Music Camp plus the promise of fireworks.

The International Peace Garden covers more than 2300 acres with no border fencing between Canada and the United States. At the entrance there is a cairn inscribed with these words: "To God in his glory. We two nations dedicate this garden and pledge ourselves that as long as man shall live; we will not take up arms against each other." That's my kind of marker and I wish it could be reproduced throughout the world and placed at every border between every nation.

There is an International Music Camp at the gardens. This camp brings together students and teachers from around the world. The students study music and the arts in addition to experiencing cultures different from their own. Tonight there was a concert by a large wind ensemble. It was a wonderful experience as the Americans joined in singing O Canada and the Canadians joined in singing the Star-Spangled Banner to open the concert.

The next morning I went off to explore the gardens. Just beyond the entrance is a grouping of formal gardens. There is also a gift shop and interpretive center. This morning there was a large family of Mennonites also enjoying the gardens. Later that afternoon I watched part of a wedding at the same spot, both the bride and groom were in the military as well as the bridal party. All were dressed in full military uniforms. I could not help but think of the symbolism and the dichotomy of peace represented in those two groups in this one place.

The formal gardens overlook the Peace Tower and there are two paths which take you to the other end. I chose to walk in the middle. Here was a field of mown grass with no markings to tell me which country I was in. As I walked down this field, I stopped at the 9-11 monument and the Bell Tower.

At the Peace Tower I met a family from China who were also staying in the campground, they had rented one of the cabins. We took pictures in the Peace Chapel of their grandfather and me signing the guest book together. By the time I made it back to my campsite and had dinner, I realized I was too tired to stay awake for the 11:00 P.M. fireworks. This had been a wonderful day.

You will find the International Peace Garden on state highway 281 about 40 miles north of U.S. Highway 2. If you are coming south from Canada, you will take highway 10 south from Brandon off of Canada 1. When entering the gardens you will technically be leaving the U.S. or Canada so to re-enter you will need to provide whatever documentation is required to cross an international border.

There are limited motel rooms available around the gardens. However, you will find some B&Bs in the towns west along state highway 5. There are also cabins for rent on the grounds. The best accommodation is their campground. Each site is well kept with a picnic table, fire ring, free fire wood and abundant scenery. Electric and water sites are available with a dump station located in the campground.

The Turtle Mountain area of North Dakota and Manitoba is surprisingly scenic and affords many other tourist opportunities besides the Peace Gardens. I was very happy with my decision to stay two days and only wished I had more time to explore this area. The International Peace Garden will be on my list of places to which I want to return.