Camping options near Mandan, North Dakota range from state parks with historical attractions to private rv parks with modern amenities. Located in the Missouri River Valley at approximately 1,647 feet elevation, the area experiences warm summers and cold winters with most campgrounds operating seasonally. Winter camping is limited to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, which remains accessible year-round despite North Dakota's average January temperature of 10°F.
What to do
Historic exploration: Visit Cross Ranch State Park Campground for hiking along the Missouri River where Lewis and Clark traveled. "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," notes one visitor who found the campground despite it being crowded.
Water recreation: Enjoy paddling opportunities on the Missouri River. "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 a family who visited Cross Ranch State Park.
Disc golf: Play a round at General Sibley Park, which offers an on-site course. "Day use areas available with shelters and playgrounds. Disc golf course," mentions one camper who called this park a "Hidden Gem."
What campers like
River proximity: Campsites along the Missouri River provide water access and views. At Graner Park, "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."
Reasonable pricing: Many campgrounds offer affordable rates. General Sibley Park impresses budget-conscious campers: "For a tent site, it was $12 cash in the drop box because I got there after hours." Another visitor confirmed, "The tent camping loop is a road through a large field with some picnic tables and trees. You can pull off and pitch your tent anywhere you like."
Swimming opportunities: Some campgrounds permit water access for cooling off. At Cross Ranch State Park Campground, one visitor appreciated the "Clean water access to the river for swimming, dogs, fishing. Good sized sights, well sheltered by trees."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Summer weekends fill quickly at popular parks. Bismarck KOA provides reliable availability with "Clean park. Quiet and off the highway. Clean water and power," making it suitable for overnight stays.
Tent camping areas: Layouts vary significantly between parks. General Sibley Park features "a large green grassy area with tables here and there with nice tall trees. There's a gross pit toilet on the tent side, or if you walk on a pathway just a little bit you'll make it to the nicer bathroom on the RV side that has showers and flush toilets."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate April through October. At Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select sites near recreational facilities. At Graner Park, "the playground is located in the middle of the loop so it's easily accessible to every site on the north loop."
Ranger programs: Participate in educational activities at Raleigh Reservoir, a free campground with basic amenities. "This is actually a campground with vault toilets, picnic tables, and trash receptacles. There is a beautiful lake (no swimming)."
Historical learning: Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground provides educational opportunities. "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."
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: Most rv parks Mandan, North Dakota and surrounding areas feature varying levels of privacy. At A Prairie Breeze RV Park, "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."
Utility considerations: Check hookup locations and types before arrival. Bismarck KOA provides reliable amenities: "Clean park. Quiet and off the highway. Clean water and power. T-mobile has good signal."
Self-check-in procedures: Many rv parks near Mandan use self-service systems. At A Prairie Breeze RV Park, expect "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."
