Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Washburn, ND has a lot to offer. Washburn is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Washburn, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
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
Just 10 minutes south of the town of Garrison, ND, Fort Stevenson State Park is located at the tip of a peninsula on the north shore of Lake Sakakawea. The park takes its name from a military supply depot that operated near here in the late 1800s. Visitors can learn more about the area’s history, as well as the native flora and fauna, at the park’s Guardhouse Interpretive Center. Today, however, Fort Stevenson is more well-known as the “Walleye Capital” of North Dakota, and it the home of the annual Walleye Cup fishing derby. This is in addition to serving as a popular year-round recreation area for local and visiting campers, boaters, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts. The large campground at Fort Stevenson offers more than 180 sites for tent and RV campers. This includes 30 RV sites with full hookups, 39 primitive tent sites, and more than 20 group sites; some sites are ADA accessible. Pull-through RV sites can accommodate large vehicles/trailers. Campground amenities include drinking water, flush restrooms with showers, vault toilets, two playgrounds, an amphitheater and a dump station; all sites are equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. The park also has three cabins available for rent, as well as a concession stand, and boat, bike and winter gear rentals. Dogs are welcome, but must remain leashed. Some services may not be available during the off season. Campsite rates are $17–$35. With two marinas, several fishing piers, and a swim beach, visitors to Fort Stevenson have plenty of access to fishing and water play on Lake Sakakawea. The Garrison Bay Marina rents boats, canoes, kayaks, and SUPs. You can also purchase bait and tackle, camping gear, snacks and beverages from the park’s concession stand. The park also has 10 miles of hiking and biking trails for exploring the park’s woods, ravines, and native prairie, as well as bird and wildlife watching.
East Totten Trail Campground is located on the west banks of Lake Audubon. This is the only campground on the entire lake! This campground and day use area offers a wide variety of recreation activities, including boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, mountain biking, scuba diving, wildlife viewing, and bird watching. In the winter time the area offers excellent access for ice fishing and other outdoor recreational opportunites. For more information, please visit the Lake Sakakawea / Garrison Project website here.__
Lake Audubon offers excellent boating, swimming, and fishing opportunities. Anglers fish for walleye, sauger, northern pike, muskie, white bass, small and large mouth bass, bluegill, crappie. Chinook salmon can be found in the neighboring lake of Lake Sakakawea only a stone's throw away across the hwy from Lake Audubon. The area offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. The campground is next to the Audubon Wildlife Management Area and offers hunting opportunities. Audubon Lake, a sister lake to Lake Sakakawea, was also formed with the construction of the Garrison Dam near Riverdale, N.D. The two lakes are separated by an embankment, which carries US Highway 83. Audubon Lake makes up most of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Audubon National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge and Audubon National Wildlife Complex are named in honor of John James Audubon, a naturalist and wildlife painter during the 19th century. Audubon spent the summer of 1843 collecting bird specimens and painting pictures of northern plains wildlife in the area.
Lake Audubon offers excellent boating, swimming, and fishing opportunities. Anglers fish for walleye, sauger, northern pike, muskie, white bass, small and large mouth bass, bluegill, crappie. Chinook salmon can be found in the neighboring lake of Lake Sakakawea only a stone's throw away across the hwy from Lake Audubon. The area offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. The campground is next to the Audubon Wildlife Management Area and offers hunting opportunities. Audubon Lake, a sister lake to Lake Sakakawea, was also formed with the construction of the Garrison Dam near Riverdale, N.D. The two lakes are separated by an embankment, which carries US Highway 83. Audubon Lake makes up most of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Audubon National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge and Audubon National Wildlife Complex are named in honor of John James Audubon, a naturalist and wildlife painter during the 19th century. Audubon spent the summer of 1843 collecting bird specimens and painting pictures of northern plains wildlife in the area.
The campground is situated in a nice grassy area with some trees with the beautiful lake view from almost every campsite.__
For facility specific information, please call (701) 654-7411.
The Audubon National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is located just 3 miles away on the south shore of Lake Audubon off Hwy. 83 The visitor center offers a variety of guided tours and environmental education programs. The Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery is just a few minutes from the Campground near Riverdale, ND and is open to the public. It has a Visitor Center, complete with five 400-gallon aquariums, provides great opportunities to view the fish of North Dakota in their environment. The Garrison Dam Power Plant does offer walking tours during the months of June, July, and the first part of August on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 2pm.
Reservation changes and cancellations can be made on Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.____ For more information on rules and policies regarding reservation cancellations and changes, please visit: https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies.______
$22 - $26 / night
This recreation area is part of Sakakawea Lake
$23 - $100 / night
The park offers an array of camping from primitive sites to full cabins.
Cross Ranch State Park is located along some of the last free-flowing and undeveloped stretches of the Missouri River. While exploring Cross Ranch State Park, visitors may find themselves traveling back in time, catching a glimpse of the landscape as it appeared to Native Americans inhabiting the area hundreds of years ago, or hearing the echoes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition making its way to the Pacific coast along the Missouri River.
Cross Ranch has nearly 17 miles of trails that cater to the adventurer all year long. This extensive trail system can be explored either on foot or cross-country skis during the winter months. The trail system allows access to a 5,000-acre nature preserve with mixed prairie grass, river bottom forests, woody draws, and roaming bison.
Cabins and yurts are all available for overnight lodging along with two different campgrounds. A boat ramp is available for those wishing to explore this scenic segment of the river. Anglers will find walleye, trout, catfish, salmon, pike and bass in its waters.
$17 - $125 / night
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Washburn, ND?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Washburn, ND is Cross Ranch State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Washburn, ND?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 glamping camping locations near Washburn, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.
