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. 

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

This recreation area is part of Lake Oahe

General Sibley Park

Hillcrest Acres Campground

Bismarck KOA

Harmon Lake Rec Area

A Prairie Breeze RV Park

Sweet Briar Lake

## Overview

**Hazelton Recreation Area** is located on the east bank of the Missouri River on Lake Oahe just south of Bismarck, North Dakota. The lake is formed by the Oahe Dam in South Dakota, which was built during the Flood Control Act of 1944, commonly called the Pick-Sloan Plan. The lake and dam are named for the Oahe Indian Mission established in 1874 among the Lakota Sioux Indians.   
  
Over 50 recreation areas are scattered around Lake Oahe, where camping, fishing, boating and hunting are popular activities. For more information, please visit the Oahe Dam & Lake [website](https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dam-and-Lake-Projects/Missouri-River-Dams/Oahe/) .

## Recreation

Visitors enjoy coming to Lake Oahe for its great boating, water skiing, swimming and fishing opportunities. Many species of fish inhabit the lake, including walleye, northern pike and yellow perch.  
  
Many acres of land around the lake are open to public hunting. A wide variety of small and large game animals inhabit the area, including deer, pronghorn, grouse, dove, pheasant, partridge, squirrel, rabbit and waterfowl.

## Facilities

The campground offers 18 primitive sites and 12 sites with 50-amp electrical hookups. Picnic tables and campfire rings are provided.   
  
Amenities include vault toilets and a playground. A boat ramp is located on-site and has a large paved parking lot, adjacent picnic tables, a fish cleaning station and additional vault toilets.

## Natural Features

Lake Oahe extends from Oahe Dam near Pierre, South Dakota to Bismarck, North Dakota and is 231 miles long. Its 2,250 miles of shoreline are made up of mixed grass prairie dotted with trees that grow down to the shore in occasional steep draws.

## Nearby Attractions

  * [Lake Oahe](https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dam-and-Lake-Projects/Missouri-River-Dams/Oahe/)



## contact_info

For facility specific information, please call (701) 255-0015.

## Charges & Cancellations

A $10 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. 

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>.

Hazelton Recreation Area

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.  


Cross Ranch State Park

Beaver Creek - Lake Oahe

## Overview

**Beaver Creek Recreation Area** is located on the north side of Beaver Bay on **Lake Oahe** , 16 miles west of Linton, ND off Highway 1804. The lake and dam are named for the Oahe Indian Mission established in 1874 among the Lakota Sioux Native Americans.   
  
Over 50 recreation areas are scattered around Lake Oahe, where camping, fishing, boating and hunting are popular activities. For more information, visit the [Lake Oahe Project Website](https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dam-and-Lake-Projects/Missouri-River-Dams/Oahe/). 

## Recreation

Visitors enjoy coming to Lake Oahe for its great boating, water skiing, swimming and fishing opportunities. Many species of fish inhabit the lake, including walleye, northern pike and yellow perch. Many acres of land around the lake are open to public hunting. A wide variety of small and large game animals inhabits the area, including deer, pronghorn, grouse, dove, pheasant, partridge, squirrel, rabbit and waterfowl.

## Facilities

Beaver Creek offers a picnic shelter and 61 reservable campsites, 45 of which have 30-amp electric hookups. 

The group day-use picnic shelter has electric hookups as well.   
  
Amenities include seasonal flush toilets, vault toilets and drinking water (peak season). A three-lane boat ramp and two docks are on-site with another single lane ramp and dock on the southeast side of the bay. 

There is a fish cleaning station with water (peak season) and electricity near the boat ramp as well. Younger campers love the park's playgrounds and nature trail.

## Natural Features

**Lake Oahe** , the fourth largest reservoir by overall water volume in the United States and an area of 370,000 surface acres extends from Pierre, South Dakota to Bismarck, North Dakota and is 231 miles long. Located in the Missouri River Valley, Lake Oahe's 2,250 miles of shoreline are made up of mixed grass prairie dotted with trees that grow down to the shore in occasional steep draws.

## Nearby Attractions

  * [Lake Oahe](https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dam-and-Lake-Projects/Missouri-River-Dams/Oahe/)



## contact_info

For facility specific information, please call (701) 255-0015.

## Charges & Cancellations

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>.

Beaver Creek

State Park

We were pleased to find a nice, clean, quiet campground here. 

Great spot!

We were last minute and got the last spot for the weekend in the South Loop.  Looks like the North Loop may be more popular because it has views of the river.

Our site was a double pull through and because of the way it is set up our fire ring and table were opposite of our front door! The other half was the other way.  Not all sites are like this though.

We caught sight of a bald eagle sitting in a tree over the river!

We were able to build a fire because fire restrictions were lifted.

There are teepees to rent  and camp close to the river!  Beautiful spots!

Bicycle trails were fun and lead to all the historic sites and one even leads out of the park and into the town of Mandan.

Lots of space 

The camp around this area is very plain. And when I’m mean plain I mean the GREAAAT Plains! 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. We enjoyed all the surround community and the bike/hiking trails the most. 

If I were to do one thing over, I would have stayed here for more than 4 days. Much to do and see. 

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

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