The Bismarck area sits within the Missouri River valley, with minimal elevation changes throughout the region. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F during camping season, while spring and fall can see overnight lows in the 30s. Missouri River access provides fishing opportunities at multiple campgrounds near Bismarck, though river conditions can change rapidly depending on dam releases upstream.
What to do
River recreation access: Cross Ranch State Park Campground offers canoe and kayak rentals with shuttle service for Missouri River trips. "We rented a canoe and 2 kayaks and were transported to Washburn and floated/paddled our way to Sanger boat launch. (Approx 9 miles) It took us about 3 hours and it was so beautiful! The park ranger picked us up at Sanger boat launch and brought everything back," notes one visitor at Cross Ranch State Park Campground.
Historical exploration: Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park features reconstructed military buildings and Native American sites. "We walked the on a slant village, the forts overlooking the Missouri river and of course General Custer's house and the barracks. Such a neat parks with lots to do!" explains a camper who stayed at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground.
Disc golf course: General Sibley Park offers an on-site disc golf course along with riverside access. A camper mentions, "The park has showers, bathrooms, an amphitheater, disc golf, a playground, and a group area. It is very popular with locals."
What campers like
Well-maintained trail systems: Cross Ranch State Park Campground receives praise for its extensive trail network. "Beautiful, well-groomed, shaded hiking paths everywhere. Playgrounds. Big fields. Clean water access to the river for swimming, dogs, fishing," reports one satisfied visitor.
Spacious tent camping areas: General Sibley Park offers generous tent camping spaces. "The tent side ($12/night) is one large green grassy area with tables here and there with nice tall trees," notes a reviewer about the General Sibley Park camping experience.
Convenient location: Ball Park RV Park provides easy access to local amenities. "This is the campground for travelers coming through town. It is very nice and at the city park. It is close to the road so I'm assuming you get road noise," explains a visitor who stayed at this rv park in Bismarck, North Dakota.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most Bismarck RV parks operate seasonally. Prairie Breeze RV Park in Menoken has a specific closing date: "They're closing on November 1st so this is definitely nearing the end of their season and it was a self-check in cash or check only."
Payment methods vary: Some campgrounds have specific payment requirements. A visitor at Prairie Breeze RV Park reports: "Self-checkin with cash or check, which was fine. I think the trailer at the end on one corner is the host, but I never needed him, so I didn't ask."
Site drainage issues: After heavy rainfall, certain sites may experience water issues. "My only complaint-- #21 was underwater after an overnight rain. A pond of about 2-3 inches of water completely surrounded my rig. I looked around and I seemed to be the only one with that much water," reports a camper about Prairie Breeze RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "What a great park for families! That was my first thought. It just looks like a great place for kids to play. There's a playground, wide open spaces, easy trails, a river, and remnants of the fort and an Indian village," shares a visitor.
Educational opportunities: Families can explore local history while camping. "We visited the Natural History Museum at the capitol which was free and nearby, and had lots of fun dinosaur bones and displays," mentions a camper who stayed at General Sibley Park.
Biking options: Paved trails connect multiple locations. "There's a paved bike path that you can take from the campground all the way to Bismarck (10+ miles). Or you can ride over to the cavalry and infantry areas of the fort and to the Indian village," explains a Fort Abraham Lincoln visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: Bismarck KOA provides standard KOA accommodations with some site variations. "Most of the sites are pull throughs in trees. It appeared that big rig spots were mostly back in," notes an RVer who stayed at the KOA.
Satellite reception limitations: Tree coverage impacts satellite services at some rv parks in Bismarck, North Dakota. A camper at Bismarck KOA reports: "There are a lot of mature trees here, so that satellite could be iffy depending on the site. WiFi speed wasn't very good, but we didn't need to use it. We got 4 bars on Verizon."
Utility locations: RV hookup placement varies between parks. "We proceeded to pull through site 11 right past the check-in office, store, showers, and laundry facility. The gravel site was pretty level, with utilities placed mid-pad," explains a visitor at Bismarck KOA.
