Cabin camping near Cannon Ball, North Dakota provides rustic overnight accommodations within driving distance of the Standing Rock Reservation. Situated in the northern Great Plains region where the Cannonball River meets the Missouri, this area experiences temperature extremes with summer highs reaching 90°F and winter lows dropping below 0°F. Cabin rentals offer shelter from these conditions while providing access to historical sites, fishing opportunities, and hiking trails.
What to do
Explore historical sites: Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park features reconstructed military barracks and Native American earthlodges. "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!" notes a visitor to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground.
Hike trail networks: Multiple trail systems connect cabin areas to natural features and historical points. "Great hiking, all sorts of trails for all kinds of exploring. Lots of helpful staff and historic attractions to admire and appreciate," reports a camper at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park.
Bike paved pathways: Paved paths connect several cabin locations to nearby communities. "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 visitor to Fort Abraham Lincoln.
Wildlife observation: Prairie and riverfront settings provide wildlife viewing opportunities. A visitor at Beaver Lake State Park Campground reports, "We saw everything from prairie chickens to turkeys to deer on our walk. The lake is bigger than you think doesn't seem to have a whole lot of use."
What campers like
River access: Waterfront cabin sites provide direct access to fishing and wildlife viewing. "Very nice campground right on the Missouri River. Lots of walking/bike trails, playground for kids and places to fish on the river," explains a visitor to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight the well-maintained shower buildings and restrooms. "The bathrooms are closed so I can't see in and all of the modern camping is on the same loop but there's also group camping and tent camping and cabins," notes a visitor to Beaver Lake State Park Campground.
Shade coverage: Mature trees provide natural cooling during hot summer months. "The park is well maintained and the bathhouse was clean with great showers. Our campsite was a pull through and fairly level. Not much level yard space but nice spacing," reports a recent Beaver Lake State Park visitor.
Pool access: Some locations feature swimming pools for summer visitors. A visitor to Bismarck KOA notes, "The park was very tidy and the pool was refreshing after a long day of driving. Would definitely stop again!"
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: North Dakota weather changes dramatically throughout the year. Bismarck KOA remains open year-round but with limited services during winter. "This 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," explains a camper.
Cell service limitations: Remote cabin locations may have limited connectivity. A visitor to Beaver Lake State Park explains, "I needed to use my Tesla Rome network I don't have good enough cell reception to work from here so keep that in mind if you're a traveler who's working."
Reservation requirements: Summer weekends fill quickly at cabin locations. "We came in on a Saturday and it was packed...spots a little close together for my liking, but it was quiet overall. Lots of family enjoying family time with their kids. Once Sunday afternoon hit, everyone cleared out getting ready for the workweek," notes a Fort Abraham Lincoln visitor.
Water supply logistics: Some locations require additional equipment for water hookups. "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!" advises a camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several cabin locations feature dedicated children's play areas. "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," reports a visitor to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground.
Educational programs: Ranger-led activities provide learning opportunities. "The campgrounds have nice bath houses, plus a playground for kids and naturalist programs with an enthusiastic staff. Nice experience!" shares a Fort Abraham Lincoln visitor.
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be problematic during summer months. "Mosquitos were bad when we were here surprisingly. I was getting bit every second, so I got a gazebo shelter so we could enjoy the outdoors without getting bit to death. Had a fire our final night which also helped," advises a camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites based on shade needs and utility placement. "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," explains a visitor to Bismarck KOA.
Satellite considerations: Tree coverage may affect satellite reception. "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," reports a Bismarck KOA camper.
Overnight versus destination planning: Some locations better suit short stays versus longer visits. "This KOA campsite has all the amenities one would expect from a KOA. There are a fair amount of mature shade trees on the property. The staff is friendly the pool and the bathrooms are clean," explains a visitor.
