Explore Bismarck and Mandan parks for an easy walk, a picnic or time outside. Compare each park’s setting, visitor information and directions before choosing a stop.
Explore reconstructed earthlodges, military history, river views and trails south of Mandan.
Fort Abraham Lincoln brings Mandan village history and the later military post together in one state park. On-a-Slant’s reconstructed earthlodges, blockhouses and the visitor-center museum provide several ways to learn about the area. Trails climb into the surrounding hills, and the campground offers an overnight base beside the rivers.
On-a-Slant reconstructed earthlodges
Historic fort buildings and blockhouses
Hiking and biking trails
Riverfront camping
Good to know before you go
Getting there: Follow Highway 1806 south from Mandan, then the signs for Fort Lincoln Road and the state park. Use the official park map to choose the right visitor area.
Check park admission, camping and tour fees separately. Living-history tours and access to some structures are seasonal; the Commissary is listed as closed for the season at this check. Confirm the available buildings and trails before an off-season visit.
Checked 2026-10-09. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
Spend time along the river with playgrounds, picnic areas, trails and outdoor fitness spaces.
Sertoma stretches along the Missouri River with several different areas to explore. Its paved loop and Bill Mills Nature Trail offer walking options, while playgrounds, shelters and public art give families places to pause. Dakota Zoo and the amusement park have their own operators and visitor requirements.
Paved loop connected to the Riverfront Trail
Bill Mills Nature Trail
Playgrounds and picnic shelters
Outdoor fitness and public art
Good to know before you go
Getting there: Use Riverside Park Road and the official park map to select a parking area near your chosen playground, shelter or trail.
Choose a shelter or activity area on the park map before arriving: this is a large park. Shelter reservations, seasonal facilities and independently operated attractions have separate arrangements.
Checked 2026-10-09. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
Enjoy riverfront play areas, public art and the relocated Lewis and Clark keelboat replica.
Pioneer Park offers a riverfront picnic stop with a playground, volleyball courts and connections to the Riverfront Trail. Its Rising Eagle sculpture adds a public-art stop. The replica keelboat was moved here when the former Keelboat Park space was redeveloped in 2025, so this is the current park to visit for that feature.
Keelboat replica and interpretation
Rising Eagle sculpture
Playground and picnic shelter
Riverfront Trail access
Good to know before you go
Getting there: Use the River Road park entrance for the riverfront area. The overlook above it is reached separately from Burnt Boat Drive.
The lower park and Chief Looking’s Village overlook use different entrances. Check the park map for your chosen stop and current park work. The former Keelboat Park is not listed as an unchanged attraction.
Checked 2026-10-09. Source. Fees, seasons and conditions change, so confirm before you head out.
