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MSP destination photo
DIK destination photo

MSPDIK

Our Recommendation
7.8

Right Side of the Plane

The right side of the aircraft offers superior lighting conditions for photography on this westbound route and captures the most impressive views of the Missouri River reservoirs and the rugged transition into the North Dakota Badlands.

Right Side Highlights
7.8
🏙️

Bismarck-Mandan

View North Dakota's capital city and its iconic Art Deco skyscraper-style capitol building as you cross the Missouri River.

💧

Lake Sakakawea

The third-largest reservoir in the U.S. creates a massive blue horizon to the north, especially visible near Garrison Dam.

🏜️

North Unit Terrain

As you descend into Dickinson, the northern reaches of the Badlands offer dramatic shadows and deep canyon views.

🛣️

The Enchanted Highway

If the flight path is southerly, you may spot the world's largest scrap metal sculptures dotting the landscape south of I-94.

The right side is the 'cool' side for most of the day, avoiding direct sunlight and providing softer light for photos. Watch the landscape transform from the flat Red River Valley area into the undulating Missouri Plateau. During the autumn, the Missouri River valley floor turns a brilliant gold, providing a stark contrast to the surrounding prairie.

Left Side Highlights
7.2
🏙️

Minnesota River Valley

Immediately after takeoff, view the lush confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers near the Mall of America.

🌾

Glacial Potholes

Scan the landscape of western Minnesota and eastern South Dakota for thousands of tiny, circular glacial lakes.

🌊

Lake Oahe

The southern stretch of the massive Missouri River reservoir system appearing as a wide blue ribbon amidst the brown plains.

⛰️

South Unit Badlands

Rugged, multi-colored buttes and eroded canyons that define the southern section of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Sit on the left side if you are flying during a winter morning to catch the sunrise reflecting off the snowy plains. Be aware that on afternoon flights, the sun will be directly in your window, which can cause significant glare and cabin heat. Look for the geometric patterns of center-pivot irrigation systems across the Dakotas.

Top Activities in Dickinson
Route Information

Distance: 772 km (480 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 17 min

Departure: MSP (44.882, -93.221802)

Arrival: DIK (46.7974014282, -102.802001953)

Route Type: Domestic

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