Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground sits along the banks of the Missouri River just 7 miles south of Mandan, North Dakota. This 1,006-acre park combines historical significance with outdoor recreation at an elevation of approximately 1,700 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below -20°F while summer days typically reach the 80s with occasional thunderstorms, making spring and fall popular camping seasons.
What to do
River exploration: Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground connects directly to the Missouri River with multiple access points for cooling off. "The park includes riverfront access where fishing was good and of course water travel. The staff was friendly and Informative," writes Shelly S. in her review of Cross Ranch State Park Campground.
History tours: Visit the reconstructed military buildings and Mandan Indian Village to learn about General Custer's 7th Cavalry. "Great park close to Mandan ND. We enjoyed all the surrounding community and the bike/hiking trails the most," says Noel N. of Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. At Cross Ranch State Park Campground, "A scenic walk along the River where Lewis and Clark traveled. Cool stuff. Up the road was an extremely interesting National Historic Site we visited."
Paddling: Rent canoes or kayaks for a day on the water. "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!" reports Afton L. about their experience at Cross Ranch.
What campers like
Value for money: Primitive sites at Sweet Briar Lake offer economical options for budget-conscious travelers. "Stopped over for a day on the way to glacier. Large, open, well spaced campgrounds with fire pits and picnic tables. Beautiful lake and scenery and absolutely free," says jordan S.
Privacy between sites: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Mandan feature well-spaced sites. "Very private! When I go camping I love having trees and the water near and this spot has both!" writes Allison H. about Cross Ranch State Park. Another camper noted: "The campgrounds have nice bath houses, plus a playground for kids and naturalist programs with an enthusiastic staff."
Seasonal flexibility: Bismarck KOA remains open year-round with winter accommodations. "Nice campground. Bathhouse was nice and updated and clean. Site was mostly level. Near by restaurants on the same main road that the campground is on," according to Veronica S.
What you should know
Reservation systems: Most campgrounds require advance booking during peak summer months. "We are traveling cross country, and needed a place to stop in Bismarck. 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," shares Amanda S. about Hillcrest Acres Campground.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds near Mandan have ambient interstate noise. At Sweet Briar Lake, "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 and it was otherwise super quiet," explains PJ F.
Limited shade: Certain campgrounds offer minimal tree cover. "The campground is close to town in case you need anything. The camping rigs/RV area gets pretty crowded, especially on weekends. It has a sand beach and swimming area," notes GoWhereYouAreDraw N. about Harmon Lake Rec Area.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Mandan feature play areas for children. "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," says Mary S. about Fort Abraham Lincoln.
Educational activities: Ranger-led programs teach kids about local history and nature. "We had a whole bunch of fun learning about the camp and General Custard. There is a bunch of history and many happy faces in this area. Everything you would need here is only a stone throw away," reports Amurican L. at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park.
Beach options: Graner Park offers swimming access along the Missouri River. "This campground is nice if you can get one of the few electric sites on the water. They have a water fill station and the playground is located in the middle of the loop so it's easily accessible to every site on the north loop," shares Josh D.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer comprehensive RV services. "This is a simple place but right off I-94 and very easy to access. There are tent camping, no-hookup and just electric/water hookup options also available and all sites are pull through," explains Lisa C. about her stay at Bismarck KOA.
Campsite spacing: Some parks provide more separation between RV sites than others. "Very nice campground right on the Missouri River. Lots of walking/bike trails, playground for kids and places to fish on the river. Plenty of space between campers. Lots of young families RV camping here," notes Kyle O. about Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park.
Dump station access: Plan ahead for waste disposal needs. "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," advises Mev W. about Bismarck KOA.
