North Dakota Borders: States, Map & Complete Guide
Fact-checked • Updated January 11, 2026
North Dakota borders three U.S. states: Montana to the west, South Dakota to the south, and Minnesota to the east. The state also shares an international border with Canada to the north, touching two Canadian provinces—Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The Red River forms North Dakota's entire eastern border with Minnesota.
North Dakota Border Map
Map showing North Dakota's boundaries with three states and two Canadian provinces.
Border Details
Explore each of North Dakota's borders in detail. Click any card to learn more.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan borders North Dakota's northern edge along the 49th parallel.
Manitoba
Manitoba borders North Dakota's northeastern corner.
Montana
Montana borders North Dakota's western edge.
South Dakota
South Dakota forms North Dakota's entire southern border.
Minnesota
The Red River forms the entire border with Minnesota.
International Borders with Canada
North Dakota shares its entire northern border with Canada, touching two Canadian provinces: Saskatchewan to the northwest and Manitoba to the northeast. This international border runs for about 310 miles along the 49th parallel north.
North-West: Saskatchewan, Canada
Saskatchewan and North Dakota are separated by a border located on North Dakota's northern edge. The boundary follows the 49th parallel north latitude, creating a straight east-west line.
The North Dakota-Saskatchewan border extends for about 200 miles from Montana in the west to Manitoba in the east. North Dakota counties along this border include Burke, Divide, Williams, Mountrail, Ward, McHenry, and Pierce. The border region is characterized by prairie and agricultural land. Major crossing points include Portal and Fortuna.
- About 200 miles along 49th parallel
- Prairie and agricultural region
- North Dakota counties: Burke, Divide, Williams, Mountrail, Ward, McHenry, Pierce
North-East: Manitoba, Canada
Manitoba and North Dakota are separated by a border located on North Dakota's northeastern edge. The boundary follows the 49th parallel north latitude.
The North Dakota-Manitoba border extends for about 110 miles from Saskatchewan in the west to Minnesota in the east. North Dakota counties along this border include Towner, Cavalier, and Pembina. The border region transitions from prairie in the west to the Red River valley in the east. Major crossing points include Pembina-Emerson and Walhalla.
- About 110 miles along 49th parallel
- Prairie to Red River valley
- North Dakota counties: Towner, Cavalier, Pembina
Which States Border North Dakota?
North Dakota shares its borders with three U.S. states: Montana to the west, South Dakota to the south, and Minnesota to the east. The Red River forms North Dakota's entire eastern boundary with Minnesota.
West: Montana
Montana and North Dakota are separated by a border located on North Dakota's western edge. The boundary runs roughly north-south from Saskatchewan in the north to South Dakota in the south.
The North Dakota-Montana border extends for about 215 miles. The border follows a relatively straight survey line through the Great Plains. North Dakota counties along this border include Burke, Williams, McKenzie, Billings, Slope, and Bowman. The border region is characterized by prairie, badlands, and oil-producing areas.
- About 215 miles north-south
- Straight survey line
- North Dakota counties: Burke, Williams, McKenzie, Billings, Slope, Bowman
South: South Dakota
South Dakota and North Dakota are separated by a border located on North Dakota's southern edge. The state line runs roughly east-west from Montana in the west to Minnesota in the east.
The North Dakota-South Dakota border extends for about 360 miles. The border follows a straight line along approximately the 46th parallel north and the 7th Standard Parallel. North Dakota counties along this border include Bowman, Adams, Hettinger, Grant, Sioux, Emmons, Logan, McIntosh, Dickey, Sargent, and Richland.
- About 360 miles east-west
- Along 46th parallel/7th Standard Parallel
- Straight line across Great Plains
East: Minnesota (Red River Border)
Minnesota and North Dakota are separated entirely by the Red River along North Dakota's eastern edge. The river creates a natural boundary running roughly north-south.
The North Dakota-Minnesota border extends for about 310 miles along the Red River from Manitoba in the north to South Dakota in the south. The Red River flows northward (unusually) into Canada. North Dakota counties along this border include Pembina, Walsh, Grand Forks, Traill, Cass, and Richland. Major cities on this border include Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota, which form a single metropolitan area.
- About 310 miles along Red River
- Entire border formed by river
- Fargo-Moorhead metro area on border
Red River: North Dakota's Entire Eastern Border
The Red River of the North forms North Dakota's entire eastern border with Minnesota, running for about 310 miles from Canada to South Dakota. This river is unusual because it flows northward into Canada (Lake Winnipeg) rather than south to the Gulf of Mexico like most North American rivers. The Red River has historically been prone to flooding, with major floods occurring periodically that affect communities on both sides. The river valley, formed by ancient glacial Lake Agassiz, is exceptionally flat and fertile, making it some of the most productive agricultural land in North America. The Fargo-Moorhead area is the largest metropolitan region on the border.
The 49th Parallel: North Dakota's Northern Border
North Dakota's entire northern border follows the 49th parallel north latitude for about 310 miles, the same line that forms much of the U.S.-Canada border across the western states. This perfectly straight border was established by the Oregon Treaty of 1846 between the United States and Great Britain (Canada). The 49th parallel creates an arbitrary line that cuts through the Great Plains without regard to natural features, separating similar prairie ecosystems and communities. Several North Dakota towns sit directly on this border, with Canadian counterparts just across the line. The International Peace Garden, straddling the border, symbolizes the peaceful relationship between the two countries.
Geographic Center of North America
The geographic center of North America is located near Rugby, North Dakota, in Pierce County. A stone monument marks this spot, which is calculated as the center point of the continent. While the exact calculation can vary depending on methodology and what territories are included, Rugby has long been recognized as this symbolic center. This central location in the continent reflects North Dakota's position in the heart of the Great Plains, far from any ocean and surrounded by vast expanses of prairie and agricultural land.
Key Facts & Statistics
This table shows every border North Dakota shares, organized by direction and type.
North Dakota borders exactly three U.S. states
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Geographic features, river boundaries, and topographic data
North Dakota-Canada border details