Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Back in 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt gave the land that is now Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park to the state of North Dakota, making it the state's very first official state park. The original Fort Lincoln played a critical role in the 1876 to 1877 Great Sioux War and in the critical Battle of the Little Bighorn. Today, the fort preserves that history with a museum, historical buildings, and exhibits honoring the local indigenous peoples and settlers. The park sits along the Missouri River and the Heart River, making it an excellent spot to enjoy the great outdoors and learn more about history. Nearby Cities • Mandan, ND • Bismarck, ND • Arnold, ND • Lincoln, ND
Spring 17 - 39 F
Summer 53 - 75 F
Fall 47 - 72 F
Winter 7 - 20 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground • Water hookup: Yes • Electrical hookup: Yes • Sewer hookup: No • Wi-Fi: No • Pet-friendly: Yes • Max RV length: 39 feet • Other amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, water, dump station, restrooms, showers
General Sibley Park and Campground
Located over the Missouri River and just a 27-minute drive from the state park isGeneral Sibley Park and Campground. The park includes camping sites for tents and campers with electrical hook-ups, with daily rates ranging from $12 - $25. The campground also hosts a number of free events for guests each year.
Water hookup: no
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: no
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: restrooms, picnic shelters, playgrounds, 24-hole disc golf course, water and dump stations, a boat ramp, amphitheatre.
Bismarck KOA Journey
Bismarck KOA Journey is just a 25-minute drive from the state park and is one of the highest-rated RV parks within the region. Like most KOA’s, this one offers a wide range of unique amenities and recreational activities, including banana bikes, a dog park, ice cream socials, and so much more.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: swimming pool, dog park, snack bar, pavilion, bike rentals, propane and firewood for sale, playgrounds, sports fields, portable fire pits for request.
Hillcrest Acres Campground
Also located under a half-hour’s drive from the state park is theHillcrest Acres Campground. It’s far enough out of the way to provide you with a peaceful and relaxing stay, yet close enough to many of the area’s most popular attractions for when you wish to go exploring.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: laundry facilities, showers, dump station, restrooms, boat storage.
What to Do at
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
Take time to stop by the Mandan On-A-Slant Indian Village to learn about the cultural history of the area and to view the unique earth lodge buildings. Along with the other reconstructed military buildings at the park, be sure you see the famous Custer House, where Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer lived with his wife until he died in battle in 1876. During your tour of the Custer House, you'll love interacting with the guides, who dress in period costumes. Stop by the store and the coffee shop if you need some refreshments during your visit.
Inside Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park might be very popular for camping, but people also love visiting here because of the wide range of fun outdoor activities on offer. Whether you’re hoping to enjoy hiking, historic sites, fishing, or more – there’s certainly something for every type of traveler at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park.
Trails : The park’s non-motorized trail system covers approximately 6.75 miles in a series of loops and several connecting segment trails and is available to hikers, horse riders, and cyclists. Most of the trail system surface is either grass, dirt or hard-packed single-track. Popular trails include the Young Hawk Interpretive Trail, Bloody Knife Trail, and Little Soldier Loop Trail.
Historic sites : The state park is particularly popular due to its historic sites, with the most famous of these including the On-A-Slant Indian Village, Cluster House, historic military cemetery, and Museum Center. Tours run daily.
Fishing : There are some great fishing opportunities along the Heart and Missouri Rivers, both of which are accessible from the state park. Anglers can expect to catch species such as catfish, Northern Pike, and Walleye, plus there’s a fish cleaning station on-site.
Winter activities : The state park is open year-round, offering visitors with a very different experience during the winter months. Snowfall allows you to partake in fun activities such as ice fishing, as well as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on the trails.
Fishing
The fishing is excellent along both the Missouri and the Heart Rivers. Head out on the Mato-Tope Trail to access the shoreline and then bait your line for trout, Northern Pike, salmon, catfish, and Walleye. Afterward, you can use the fish cleaning station to prepare your catch for grilling at your campsite.
Geocaching
There's a geocache to be found within the park, and the North Dakota state park's system also encourages visitors to contribute by leaving their own. Once you find a cache, you can take a prize and sign the logbook. However, remember to bring a family-friendly item to leave for the next treasure hunter.
Nature Watching
One particularly great view of the surrounding prairies and woodlands can be had from the deck of the blockhouse. Head there to gaze out over the Missouri River. You can even see as far as the city of Bismarck.
Stargazing
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is an excellent place to relax and admire the heavens on a clear night. The park hosts regularly scheduled star parties during the summer. Or, you can bring a blanket to a meadow or set up a telescope at a picnic table to enjoy a fascinating evening of gazing at the heavens.
Flora and Fauna
To learn more about the local flora and fauna, take a hike along the Young Hawk Interpretive Trail, which has information about the wildlife and native plants in the area. Traverse your way through prairie grasses, buffaloberry and snowberry shrublands, and woodlands. Many migratory birds pass through the area, making the park a haven for bird-watching enthusiasts. During your visit, you may also spot red foxes or white-tailed deer.
Hiking
Hikers will find plenty of trails to choose from at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. The Mato-tope Trail is one of the more popular trails, as it follows along the old Northern Pacific Railroad line. If you want to see the cemetery, follow the Bob Tailed Pass Trail. Other popular routes include the Little Soldier and Bloody Knife Trails.
Biking
Nearly all of the park's 19 miles of trails are open to hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders alike. The Scouts Trail System is particularly popular among mountain bikers.
How to Get to
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
From Bismarck, get on I-94BL and travel west for about three and a half miles. From there, turn left onto 3rd St SE, and then after about a mile, turn left again onto ND-1806. Continue to follow ND-1806 for about six and a half miles, then turn left onto Fort Lincoln Rd to enter the park.
Entering Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
There is parking available at the entrance.
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Admission : $7.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
Hikers and bikers will enjoy the mild weather in spring and fall. During the winter, many people enjoy snowshoeing the trails in the park.
Some of the most commonly seen animals in the park include deer, foxes, and pheasants. Bird watchers can keep an eye out for ducks, pelicans, and Canada geese. While exploring, you may also spot bison or mountain lions and smaller mammals such as beavers, prairie dogs, and ferrets.
There are over 100 campsites at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, and RVs are welcome at all of them. Note that some of these campsites have electricity and water hookups, while some have water only.
Reservations can be made up to 95 days in advance on the park's website or by telephone. The price for overnight camping varies, depending on which type of campsite you choose. Some are priced at $17 per night, while sites with electricity and water are priced at $25 per night.
Yes, your pets are welcome at the park. Dogs must be kept on a leash, and you are expected to clean up after your furry family members. There's a doggie water station near the Visitor Center.
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