Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Day Use

Open — The park is open year-round for day use. Visitor Center hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Living history tours are closed for the season. Trails, picnic areas, and outdoor facilities remain accessible.

About

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, established in 1907, is North Dakota's oldest state park and offers diverse historical and outdoor recreation opportunities. The day use area provides access to significant cultural and military heritage sites including the reconstructed On-A-Slant Mandan Indian Village, which once housed 85 earthlodges and 1,500 people, and the frontier military post where Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer commanded before his fateful 1876 expedition. Visitors can explore the park's 19-mile trail system featuring loops and connecting segments through prairie, shrublands, and woodlands. The trails accommodate hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders, offering panoramic views of the Missouri and Heart River valleys. The park's visitor center displays Mandan artifacts and frontier history, while the Commissary Store offers food, beverages, and gifts. Day use facilities include picnic shelters, a playground, kayak launch, and access to both rivers for fishing. The park's scenic overlooks provide breathtaking vistas of the surrounding river bottoms and Bismarck skyline. The park is rich in Civilian Conservation Corps history, with many structures and trails built during the 1930s depression era. Equestrian facilities include eight corrals and designated horse trails. While living history tours of the Custer House and village operate seasonally, the outdoor areas remain accessible year-round for recreation.

Directions

From Mandan, ND, take Highway 1806 south for approximately 7 miles. The park entrance will be on your right. Follow the signs to the campground area.

Nearby Campgrounds