CAMPING NEAR BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA: GENERAL SIBLEY PARK & FORT ABRAHAM LINCOLN
By Rebecca Sabot, Real Estate Agent
Copyright © 2026 Rebecca Sabot. All rights reserved.
If you want camping near Bismarck, ND that’s easy, scenic, and doesn’t require a five-hour drive and a survival documentary, you’re in luck. Two local favorites—General Sibley Park & Campground in Bismarck and Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park near Mandan—give you classic North Dakota camping vibes with real bathrooms, great trails, and plenty to do between s’mores.
WHY CAMP CLOSE TO BISMARCK
Camping around Bismarck is the sweet spot: you can still feel “away,” but you’re close enough to town for ice, firewood, and that one missing tent stake you swore you packed. It’s also perfect for:
Weekend getaways
Family camping trips
“Let’s try camping” beginners (with a safe escape route back to civilization)
GENERAL SIBLEY PARK & CAMPGROUND (BISMARCK)
General Sibley is one of the best answers to “where can I camp in Bismarck, North Dakota?” because it mixes shaded campground comfort with legit park amenities.
LOCATION
5001 S. Washington St., Bismarck, ND
WHAT IT’S LIKE
Think: big trees, roomy sites, and a classic “campground energy” that feels family-friendly (but still chill). It’s especially popular for RV camping near Bismarck because of the number of electric sites.
CAMPGROUND FEATURES
RV sites with electrical hook-ups + showers + potable water and a dump station
Separate tent camping area with picnic tables and firepits
Helpful extras around the park: boat ramp (small boats/canoes/kayaks), playgrounds, amphitheater, trails, and an 18-hole disc golf course
SEASON + FEES (CHECK BEFORE YOU GO)
The campground is seasonal, with dates and reservation timing posted by Bismarck Parks & Rec (and yes—popular weekends go fast).
Fees shown by the park recently included $27/night for RV sites with electricity and $14/night per tent.
FORT ABRAHAM LINCOLN STATE PARK (NEAR MANDAN)
If you want North Dakota camping with history, river views, and trails that make you feel like you’re in a postcard, Fort Abraham Lincoln delivers.
LOCATION
4480 Fort Lincoln Road, Mandan, ND 58554
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
You can camp and time-travel. This is North Dakota’s oldest state park (established in 1907), and it’s packed with experiences you can’t replicate with a backyard fire pit.
CAMPING OPTIONS
Multiple campsite types (modern, primitive, group sites, and even primitive horse sites) with posted price ranges
Seasonal camping cabins (with A/C, heat, and a small fridge) if you want “camping” but also your dignity
Reservations are handled through ND State Parks (bookable in advance; online or by phone).
TOP THINGS TO DO (BEYOND EATING CHIPS BY THE FIRE)
On-A-Slant Indian Village: reconstructed earthlodges and Mandan history
Historic fort sites including Custer-era history and living history tours in season
Trails for hiking/biking with big views of the Missouri and Heart River bottoms (about 19 miles total in the system)
Park amenities like showers/flush toilets, playground, kayak launch, and more
A SIMPLE 2-NIGHT LOCAL CAMPING ITINERARY
NIGHT 1: GENERAL SIBLEY (BISMARCK)
Set up camp early, then hit the disc golf course or the nature trail
Sunset walk, easy camp dinner, and a low-stress first night
DAY 2 + NIGHT 2: FORT ABRAHAM LINCOLN (MANDAN)
Morning: pack up, short drive, check in
Afternoon: tour the earthlodges or historic sites
Evening: trail walk for river views + campfire under big-sky stars
WHAT TO PACK FOR NORTH DAKOTA CAMPING
North Dakota weather has range. Sometimes all in the same day. Plan for:
Layers (wind is a personality trait here)
Bug spray + after-bite
A warmer sleeping bag than you think you need
Headlamp, extra stakes, and something to keep food secure
Rain gear (because forecasts are suggestions)
LOCAL NOTE FROM ME
I’m a full time realtor here in the Bismarck–Mandan area, and I love how often lifestyle questions (like “where do we spend weekends?”) connect back to choosing the right neighborhood. Camping minutes from town is a real quality-of-life flex in North Dakota.
