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If you’ve ever wondered what North Dakota may have been like at the time of the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition, look no further than this 590-acre park, just an hour’s drive north of Bismark. Cross Ranch State Park is a natural area featuring rolling prairies, cottonwood glens, and marshy river bottoms, situated along some of the last free-flowing, undeveloped shoreline of the Missouri River. Visitors to Cross Ranch have plenty of opportunities to lounge under shady trees and picnic along the river, wander some of the many paths and nature trails, both in the park and the adjacent Cross Ranch Nature Preserve, or take to the river for swimming, fishing, and paddling.
Cross Ranch State Park offers 65 tent and RV sites in two camp areas. RV sites are either back-in or pull-through, provide electrical hookups, and can accommodate large vehicles/trailers; tent sites are either drive-in or walk-in. The park also offers several group sites, yurts and fully-equipped cabins, as well as a Cheyenne-style tipi. Campground facilities include flush and vault toilets, showers, picnic shelters, playgrounds, and an amphitheater. A dump station is located in the upper camp area, and a boat launch in the lower camp area. Wifi service is available. Dogs are welcome in the park, but must remain leashed. Campsite rates are $17–$25/night; tipi, yurts and cabins are $35–$125/night.
Visitors to Cross Ranch are invited to explore the area by land and water. More than 16 miles of hiking and biking trails, both in the park and the adjacent preserve, are available for exploring the area’s woods, prairies, and riverbanks, as well as observing the local birds and wildlife. You can pick up a trail map at the park’s visitor center and head out on self-guided nature walks ranging from 2 to 5.5 miles. Some trails are also open for winter snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. For a different perspective, go for a float on the Missouri River. Rent a canoe or kayak (or bring your own) and paddle around the park area, or take a shuttle (fee required) to the town of Washburn, then float 9 miles down the river, back to the park.
Located on the grassy plains near the confluence of the Missouri and Heart rivers, Fort Abraham Lincoln is North Dakota’s oldest state park. Established in 1907 to commemorate a 1700s US Army outpost, the park offers a look at America’s early years, as well as even longer ago when the Mandan peoples called this area home. The park is located about 7 miles south of the town of Mandan, and about 200 miles east of Fargo. In addition to its historical significance, the park is also noted for its diverse, high prairie landscape and exceptional views. More than 16 miles of multiuse trails are available for summer and winter roaming among the park’s prairies, woods, and shrublands.
Abraham Lincoln State Park offers more than 100 tent and RV campsites, in addition to camping cabins and Cheyenne tipis. Most sites are open and grassy, and equipped with electrical and water hookups, picnic tables and fire pits; pull-through sites can accommodate large RVs and trailers. Amenities in the campground include both flush and vault toilets, showers, water faucets, playgrounds, picnic shelters, Wifi service, and a dump station. There are also corrals available for horse campers. Additional park features include a visitor center, coffee and gift shop, and an outdoor amphitheater. Dogs must remain leashed unless in designated areas. Camping is available year-round; sites are $17–$25/night; tipis are $35/night, and cabins $60/night; reservations accepted.
There are plenty of things to do at Fort Abraham Lincoln, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, and fishing, but the main attractions are the park’s historical area and Mandan village. The historical area has replicas of Lieutenant Colonel George Custer’s home, as well as a barracks building, stables and blockhouses. Tours are available during summer months. The Mandan On-a-Slant Village—named so for the sloping ground it rests on—features several “Earthlodges” constructed in similar fashion to those used by the native peoples for homes and meeting places. A trolley runs through the park with stops at both historic locations, in addition to going to the nearby town of Mandan.
$15 - $85 / night
Primitive tent and RV sites, Five-day consecutive stay limit, 14 total days per season, camping donation welcome. Portable water hydrant access. Some electrical sites. No reservations, first come first serve.
This recreation area is part of Lake Oahe
Guide
We are on a two month long cross country road trip this summer, towing a 30ft travel trailer. We needed a place with full hook-ups as we'd been boondocking for several days and this place was perfect. Reservations were taken care of with one call, but none are needed as they also offer 24 hour first-come, first-serve spots, too. There are tent camping, no-hookup and just electric/water hookup options also available and all sites are pull through. This is a simple place but right off I-94 and very easy to access.
Guide
8 back in gravel RV spots that aren't very level but not too bad. Electric hookups only. There is a water spigot at one end of the park and dump station at the cenex in town. Park is between elevator and rail tracks. Elevator started up early but only one train a day. Can't beat $11/night though. There's a good cafe in town too.
Guide
Good stop with full hookups. Some shady sites but well protected from the wind that occurs here.
Traveler
I found this yesterday. I’ll check it out fishing spots. It says you can stay for up to 14 days in a row each month for free. They have a large parking lot for RVs as well as grass camp spots for tents.
Traveler
Very nice campground right on the Missouri River. Lots of walking/bike trails, playground for kids and places to fish on the river. Some pull through and other shared campsites share a water source so make sure to bring a water splitter as sometimes there is not one on the spigot and campground does not always have extras! Plenty of space between campers. Lots of young families RV camping here.
LegendStayed at Fort Abraham Lincoln 3 nights last June. Beautiful park on the Missouri River. Campground was clean and quiet. Nice shower house. Large, level sites. Fort Abraham Lincoln was General Custer’s headquarters before he left for the Little Big Horn. Lots of hiking and history and wildlife.
ScoutI wish I could say it was a good experience but within the first 24 hrs, proved otherwise. Right away I received a call about my dog barking. She is a new mom and very protective, so she alerts us when someone she doesn't know is near or another dog. Never after quiet hours. Her pups play like babies do, again an issue. The "select" group of campers who's dogs bark well past quiet hour or revving engines continued. I was not comfortable there feeling segregated whilst around us it was ok to break the rules. We were moved to the very end because of the barking. And accused of killing grass that was barely growing in from the winter. Cleaned up loads of dog poo when moved to the 2nd spot left there by prior renters. After the first week we just stayed inside 95% of the time. Showers were cold and in the 21 days we've been here so far only 1 time had a hot shower. I would not recommend this RV spot. Unless of course you're among the "elite"
Legend
We’re putting in long miles on our way home and start looking for a place to stay. Nobody has reviewed this campground on The Dyrt. A Google search shows some mixed comments. Then we read a recent one that says there is a new owner and it’s a great place. We’re tired and this sounds promising so we stopped by.
The owner, Tobias, drove up as we did. He hurried over and invited us in to the office. He’s a carpenter so we got to talking about my teardrop camper. He suggested we camp in one of the tent sites. It’s fully shaded and near a field for the dog to play in. He walked all the way to the site just to show us how to back our teardrop in to the tent spot - it fit perfectly! There is a light pole with a bug zapper on it. He showed us the switch and pointed out the bathhouse. Two showers and a separate place to wash dishes. Our neighbor walked over to talk and said he is staying all summer. If we had more time we would take advantage of being so close to Bismarck.
The RV spots seem close together and most didn’t have much shade. People staying in them enjoy them. There was a group that got together to hang out - they kept at it all day. Tobias was telling me how many campers are repeat customers. Some are retirees and others are in the trades and others just like it here. That speaks highly of the positive vibe I felt before I even set up camp. There are a variety of sites depending on what you are looking for. Take the time to find your perfect site. Tobias said they are working to fix things up so this place should get better and better. He even asked for suggestions on things I’ve seen that make a campground better. I’m impressed by his drive to make this a welcoming place.
This campground demonstrates that the quality as well as the feel of a place can change. This is a great place to stop on your journey or perhaps for a longer visit.
Scout
A little south of Bismarck, this relaxed, beautiful campground is part of a larger park and has large shade trees and well spaced sites. Non-electric sites are only $12! Great spot! We stayed in the tent area with a teardrop trailer.
Ranger
Like others before me said - how is this free!? We’re traveling thru North Dakota to Montana & just needed a place to rest overnight. The very few campgrounds around were all full & it was looking like we were staying at Walmart. But thanks to this nifty app, we were introduced to this very nifty spot! It’s right off the 94. Is there a little highway noise, yes. Did it bother us? Nope. We were in a huge spot right on a lake ! The view was so peaceful & it was otherwise super quiet. In fact , there are several spots all around the lake & hardly anyone at all. This place is actually better than some campgrounds we’ve paid too much for . No hook ups , of course , but that’s what a generator is for ! So glad places like this exist.
LegendThis review is from an overnight versus destination point of view. However, this could easily be a destination park if you want to stay in the area and check out Bismarck. The campground (CG) is about a mile off I-94 and easy to find. Check-in was quick and easy, and 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. As our next stop was dry camping, I asked for propane, which they gladly picked up our tanks, had them filled, and returned to our site. There’s no cable TV, but we did receive OTA channels, plus we had a good shot to the north sky for our Starlink. 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. The water pressure was good. They have a nice fenced dog area. This is one of the nicer KOAs we’ve stayed in, with a very nice tent area. We enjoyed our overnight stay.
LegendSprawling, well-appointed campground on the outskirts of Bismarck, run by the park and rec district. Lightly forested with large campsites for tents and RVs. The park has showers, bathrooms, an amphitheater, disc golf, a playground, and a group area. It is very popular with locals. It is also incredibly cheap and was an easy stop-over campground.
We visited the Natural History Museum at the capitol which was free and nearby, and had lots of fun dinosaur bones and displays.
TravelerThis campground is super close to Bismarck but far enough south of town to feel like you are in the middle of the woods. The sites are all spacious and all have small to large areas of grass. The pads are level. Very nicely kept campground
Traveler
Love the fact that this little body of water has a great beach and idle speed rule. Paddleboard and kayak rentals. Campground does have electric hookup with a few primitive sites. If you are looking for shade you wont find it here but the people and water make it worth it.
TravelerThis was our maiden voyage in our first camper! South loop Campsite 36 was easy to park. Our electrical and water hookups were close. Dump station was easy. We were right next to comfort station which was well maintained. Kid Park was new and close to our site. There was lots of bike and walking trails. Since you are a state park expect fees but I think it helped keep the park quiet. It is right along the river and in walking distance to the forts, museum, historic Indian village, train ride and trails. Great for families of all ages!
TravelerThe campground isn't a resort, but it's well-kept and the FHU site worked for me. The sites are laid out so the poles are shared in the middle, which makes for a bit of a tight fit for big rigs. No one on either side during our stay (with no slide outs), so had plenty of room. It's about 15 minutes to Bismarck, so a good place for restocking. Nothing at the exit -- you have to go 10 minutes or so down the highway for gas and groceries. Laundry was small, but just $1.25/$1.00 for wash and dry. 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. 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. Luckily I had seen the forecast and had hitched up the night before. But that's something the owners need to address.
LegendWhat 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. 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.
There is a separate $7/day entrance fee in addition to the camping fee. We chose a primitive site (no water, no electric) because those sites are along the river, and the fee was $17. Sites with electricity and water are $25. There are also a couple tipis for $35 and two cabins for $60. There is a clean shower facility plus other restrooms. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, and there's a dump station. We have camped at so many Forest Service sites that all these amenities make it feel like glamping!
My only complaint is that there is no path from the primitive sites to a restroom other than the road. It would have been nice if there were a few paths between sites. No one wants to take a long route to a restroom in the middle of the night. And cutting through an occupied site is poor camping etiquette.
ScoutPlanning a hike to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park in North Dakota motivated me to learn more about the diverse landscapes and natural wonders of the U.S. national parks. It is remarkable to see the diversity of environments protected in these parks, from rugged mountains to vast deserts and dense forests. As I prepare for my outdoor adventure at Fort Abraham Lincoln, I am inspired to consider future trips to explore the beauty and biodiversity preserved in the US National Park system, which I learned more about by reading https://www.agmglobalvision.com/u-s-national-parks. Each visit promises an unforgettable experience of immersing yourself in the splendor of nature.
TravelerNice tent area and plenty of camper pads. Day use areas available with shelters and playgrounds. Disc golf course. Vault toilets. Close to Bismarck and all it has to offer.
TravelerClean Campground. Tent area and multiple camper pads. Vault toilets available. Ranger programs available. Right in the heart of Ft. Abraham Lincoln. Lots to do--visit the Block houses, Gen. Custer's home, commissary, etc. Close to Mandan and Bismarck (State Capitol)
LegendThis affordable park was just south of Bismarck, had good cell service, and was also a short walk to the Missouri River.
There was a playground, disc golf course, boat launch, and other amenities in the park.
Open tent area only had four other campers there during my stay!
Ranger
Gets kinda loud on the weekend but still lots of open spots. Affordable with hookups, decent showers. Grass is well taken care of and the lake is pretty.
ScoutAll the standard KOA amenities, but next to the highway. It’s like a trick stop with a pool. Locking bathrooms at a paid campground was a big turnoff. Decent pool and dog park tho.
GuideThis site feels like a big parking lot with hookups. Check yourself in, park yourself, and no camp host. People tend to avoid conversation here also. No attractions close by and not much of a view. I’d use it for a quick overnight stay
GuideWhy is this free?! Perfect overnight on our road trip. Spacious, easy and the cleanest pit toilet I’ve ever used!
Edit: Drove 10 mins towards town and got a flat tire. Can’t tell how or why. Probably not anything we picked up by the lake but worth mentioning.
GuideStayed 3 days, due to not wanting to drive in the storm the last day. First 2 days were lovely and just the right amount of shade from the trees. Only 2 vault toilets, 1 in each of the RV and Tent areas. Could have done with a regular clean, but there were only 2 sites taken when we stayed. An extra 2 toilets and shower block by the boat ramp. Also a playground. (Note: Drinking water and showers are seasonal, so check the website if you need these to be operational) Each of the RV sites had their own grill and picnic table. Looked like the tent sites may share these facilities. Lots of locals visit to fish, and seemed to be quite lucky as well with Catfish and Walleye. Lovely place to visit for a few days. Also note, if you have an annual parks pass, you may get up to a 50% discount when booking.
TravelerWe are traveling cross country, and needed a place to stop in Bismarck, there was only on review on this app so far, but it was a good one, so we went ahead and called. The woman I spoke to was kind and professional, and even texted directions to my phone, and told us to pull on in and get set up before checking in. We got here and she was there to greet us and showed me around. Got all registered and she reminded me that if we needed anything to just let her know. The campground is very full, but quiet and a nice place.
Bismarck, North Dakota, offers a variety of RV camping options that cater to different needs and preferences, making it a great destination for travelers.
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