US Entrance
Canadian Entranceexperience the gardens
year round
Attractions
For current conditions and expectations click here
Experience the Peace Garden all year by visiting these featured attractions. Some are only available in the summer.
The Conservatory, along with the Don Vitko Cacti & Succulent Collection, is closed to the public as we complete the expansion. Join us at our Mother’s Day Brunch on May 12th when the Collection will be open for all to enjoy!
9/11 Memorial
IN MEMORY OF THE ONES WE LOST
In 2010, Rotary International, North American Firefighters Union and Manitoba Infrastructure donated the 9/11 Memorial that includes iron remnants from the collapsed towers at the World Trade Center. Today local organizations host 9/11 remembrance events at the site.
BRING A PIECE OF THE PEACE GARDEN HOME
Located within The Interpretive Center is a café and gift shop. Grab a bite to eat or shop our selection of Peace Garden gifts and memorabilia as well as curated local art and collectibles.
8. Conservatory & Interpretive Center Thousands of succulents and cacti, restaurant, gift shop and horticulture library
Carillon Bell Tower
THE WESTMINSTER CHIMES
Donated by The Central United Church of Brandon, MB, the bells sound out the Westminster chimes on the quarter and mark the time of day. Only four sets of bells like these exist in the world.
The beautiful resonant tones echo from the bells of the Sifton Chime in the Veterans’ Memorial Bell Tower, erected in 1976. As a memorial to their mother, Lady Sifton’s four sons donated the chimes to the First United Church of Brandon, Manitoba in 1932. When the church reorganized in 1969, the chimes were donated to the International Peace Garden.
10. Carillon Bell Tower A 1976 Bicentennial project of the North Dakota Veteran’s Organization
TAKE TO THE WATER
We also have lakes; and while we don’t have any formal boat launch sites there are any number of access points to our lakes available to canoeists and kayak enthusiasts. And if you want a fishing experience, there are several good lakes within the provincial and state parks systems bordering the International Peace Garden.
NATURE BASED PLAY
Our brand-new Children’s Nature Play Area is also nearing completion in June! This one-of-a-kind experiential setup will engage youth and the whole family with themes of the staple animals of the Turtle Mountain region. Climbing the turtle and exploring the beaver dam and lodge are just a couple examples of the experience.
7. Children's Nature Play Area A 1976 Bicentennial project of the North Dakota Veteran’s Organization
The Conservatory & Interpretive Center
Bringing Cacti & Succulents to the North
This impressive building is directly across from the tastefully landscaped Sunken Garden and houses a restaurant, gift shop, horticulture library and most importantly, The Conservatory. The world-class Conservatory collection is here courtesy of longtime Minot resident Don Vitko. Don took a special interest in cacti and succulents, and amassed his 5,000+ species collection over 50 years. Don donated his collection to the IPG in 2010, but the IPG was unable to house the entire collection at the time. The remainder of the collection moved up to the IPG in the fall of 2011, after the Souris flood, due to Don’s greenhouse being ruined by the flood. Don’s entire collection now lives in The Conservatory, a 10,000 sq. ft. glass conservatory and greenhouse. The Conservatory is organized by geographic region and features species from around the world including a collection of hardy cacti donated by Ernest (Dr. Cacti) Brown of Winnipeg, MB in 2019.
8. Conservatory & Interpretive Center Thousands of succulents and cacti, restaurant, gift shop and horticulture library
Dedicated Cairn
SYMBOL OF HOPE
The cairn which still stands at the gate to the International Peace Garden was dedicated on July 14, 1932 – before the Nazi regime came to power in Germany. Hope prevailed. Visitors can still experience this sense of hope and peace at the International Peace Garden.
2. Dedication Cairn “Grand Opening Marker” from the July 14th, 1932 dedication
ELEGANT COLORS OF THE CLOCK
The large clock received from the Bulova Watch Company in 1966 was a duplicate of the famous Bulova Floral Clock at Berne, Switzerland. It was replaced the summer of 2005 with a new clock from St. Louis, Missouri. The Floral Clock, 18 feet in diameter, is a popular attraction at the International Peace Garden, and displays a unique floral design each year. The number of plants on the clock can range from 2,000 to 5,000, depending on the type of plant and design on the face of the clock.Typically the first week in June, 80,000 flowers are planted at the Peace Garden, and best viewed full bloom from mid-July through August. However, the park has its own distinctive beauty all year around.
3. Floral Clock 18 feet high, design changes annually
AN ENCHANTED WALK
With more than 80,000 flowering annuals and perennials, the formal garden is home to a variety of installations including a pollinator garden, a kitchen garden growing fresh produce used in our café, and an All-American Selection Garden that serves as just one of three testing sites for new seeds. Terraces, fountains and sculptures delight visitors and make our Formal Gardens a favorite destination. Don’t miss the iconic floral clock, sunken garden and floral flags.
1-12. Formal Garden
Originally conceived as a “Circle of Friendship” displaying rocks from all over the world, the Friendship Rock represents international cooperation and partnership, much like the Garden itself. The Friendship Rock is a “bluestone” that originated from the Preseli Mountains in the United Kingdom and is the similar to the type of rock that can be found at the center of Stonehenge.
After a long journey through time and significant places in the United Kingdom, the Friendship Rock arrived at the International Peace Garden where it sits on the 49th parallel. As this rock has traveled from place to place, and rested along its journey, it has been touched by thousands of individuals and become part of a story of deep connection dating back to the 1800’s.
TAKE A GUIDED TOUR THROUGH THE GARDENS
We offer walking or bus tours through our gardens to give you a chance to learn and explore with us. We will take you on a 45-60min guided tour where you will learn about what lives and grows in our gardens as well as a chance to ask a professional the inner workings of our gardens.
Hiking & Biking Trails
PRISTINE PRAIRIE & WILDERNESS
A vast network of hiking and biking trails connect 2,400 acres of pristine prairie and wilderness, dotted with natural features including lakes and ponds. Stop for a break from hiking or pedaling and one of our many scenic picnic areas, overlooking picturesque lakes and the natural beauty of the turtle mountain region.
The Peace Garden’s hiking and biking trails are suitable for visitors of all skill levels. Please contact us if you have questions about a specific trail or need assistance planning your route.
VISIT THE HISTORIC LODGE
Built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the oldest building in the International Peace Garden is a magnificent display of natural architecture and a reflection of human tenacity in hard times.
26. Historic Lodge Oldest building on site, built by the CCC in the 1930’s
Peace Chapel
A PLACE OF PEACE & WORSHIP
The Peace Chapel anchors the west end of the Formal Garden and offers memorable quotes by world leaders on peace and on its fragility. It is a place for more formal gatherings, but welcomes everyone to come in, to sit and to contemplate a world at peace.
12. Peace Chapel Sponsored by the General Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. Tyndall Stone walls are embedded with marine fossils and inscribed with quotes
Picnic Areas
GRAB A SANDWICH & GO ON A PICNIC
A variety of picnic areas offer opportunities to relax and enjoy a meal.
Sunken Garden
GET LOST IN THE GARDENS
The Sunken Garden, located in the Formal Garden, displays a focal octagonal pond with two adjoining reflecting pools. The North Dakota Homemakers and the Manitoba Women’s Institute support the two reflecting pools. The three have active water features. Octagonal walkways and plantings of trees, shrubs and flowers repeatedly encompass the pond. On the north and south walkways, two stone garden houses, financed by the North Dakota and U.S. National Homemakers’ Clubs, marks the Avenues of America and Canada.
With its thousands of perennials and ornamental shrubs it could be considered the heart of the Turtle Mountains. Perennials have been planted to help highlight the progression through the season with new varieties coming into bloom throughout the season. From one week to the next, different flowers and different colours present themselves to the observant visitor.
9. Sunken Garden Area Fountain pool, landscaped with thousands of plants
Winter Activities
While
Please note cabin rentals are only available from October-May.
How to get here
map of our park
What Else to Do
The Turtle Mountain region of North Dakota and Manitoba offers a variety of sightseeing destinations and seasonal events. From state and provincial parks to county fairs and history museums there’s even more reasons to spend some time at the Peace Garden and visit our neighbors to the north, south, east and west.
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