Way 2 Goodlife

The family that plays together - stay together

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Family Life
    • Family Activities
    • Family Table
    • Family Health
    • New Baby
    • Mama Tech
    • Special Child
    • Mama
  • Family Travel
  • Family Money
    • Money Smart Parent
    • Money Smart Kid
  • Kids Corner
  • Videos
You are here: Home / Featured / Driving Through North Dakota: Mandan Indian Village and Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

Driving Through North Dakota: Mandan Indian Village and Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

Sharing is caring!

307 shares
  • Share303
  • Tweet

Travel North Dakota invited us to visit Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

Anytime we leave the house for a week-long trip I take a ramp onto the highway thinking of how many explorations lay ahead of us. Coincidentally, every time I am almost disappointed. There was so much more to explore! Our first North Dakota stop took us to Bismarck. Bismarck is known for many things – history, art, food. In addition, Lewis and Clark’s expedition crossed this path in 1804-05 .

We had a little over 24 hours to spend in the Bismarck area. However, I only have a few things to say about the capital of North Dakota.

  1. EverSpring Inn & Suites greeted us with the largest beds covered with ice white and bedsheets. A green mint sat next to the “Sweet Dreams” card.
Boy sleeps on bed in hotel

Next Morning breakfast was as relaxing as my dreams. For a change, kids knew what they wanted and the food options left even my pickiest child happy.

Chalk board at the hotel in front of dining room

2. Krolls’ diner is a fantastic place. This unique to North Dakota casual and family-friendly diner serves excellent German food in its four locations across the state. In addition, there some great menu kids’ options too!

Kroll's Diner box

3. Go for a FREE tour of the State Capital Building or walk one of the capital ground routes. We missed the tour, but we did walk around the building.

Bismark state building

But we spent most of our time visiting Mandan area and Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, southwest of Bismarck, ND.

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Pin

The History of Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

Located in the Mandan area, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park owes its popularity to its rich history. Established in 1907, today it is the oldest park in North Dakota. There is a lot to do here! For instance, you can tour reconstructed military buildings of the 1870s AND visit the ancient village of the Mandan Indians. Therefore, we took our time exploring unique Earthlodge homes American Indians inhabited for centuries.

Abraham Lincoln State Park Sign

If you are looking for a one of a kind experience, set your tent alongside the Missouri River. Explore the area through the scenic hiking trails. Spend the night in a camping cabin or glampout 18′ Heart & Missouri Tipis.

On-A-Slant Indian Village at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

For about two centuries Mandan, North American Indians lived in the villages along the Missouri River. Mandan followed the sedentary lifestyle living in the dome-shaped earth lodges.

Mandan Native American village earth lodges

These villages remained stationary. Villagers sustained themselves farming, hunting, and trading with other tribes. Mandan culture was known for its most vibrant culture and often welcomed American and European travelers.

While visiting these restored huts, we learned the story of the tribe and its tradition.

Boy inside of earth lodge in Mandan Native American village at Abraham Lincoln State Park

Large lodges were constructed for gatherings and entertaining with large wooden benches. Families occupied smaller houses and an average village consisted of 12 to 100 or more earth lodges. This particular village contained 85 Earthlodges and had about 1500 people living here.

At the end of the XVII century though, nine Mandan villages decreased to two. That happened due to a number epidemics of smallpox, whooping coughs, etc.

Look out of earthlodge in Mandan Native American village at Abraham Lincoln State Park

By 1837 there were only 100 Mandan survivors left. They eventually went onto settling near Fort Berthold. That’s where they joined the Three Affiliated Tribes by the mid-XIX century. By the time Lewis and Clark discovered On-A-Slant Village in late 1804, it was already long abandoned and in the advanced stay of decay.

Military Fort at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

A century after Mandan occupied the On-a-Sant Village US military established a post in the park. Their effort was to prepare for the Northern Pacific Railroad to expand west of the Missouri River. With a total of 650 men, this Fort had great importance during the railroad era of the XIX century. However, when the railroad work completed the Fort was no longer needed, and was decommissioned in 1891.

Inside of barrack of military fort of 1890 at Abraham Lincoln State Park

This site is now open for tours and you can take your time and walk around reconstructed Central Barracks, Granary, Commissary, and Stables. Tour the Victorian-style home of a United States Army officer and cavalry commander.

Army officer Victorian Style house at Abraham Lincoln State Park

CCC Statue

The first development of the Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park took place in the 1930s. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) organized men to support families during the depression. For instance, they mapped the cornerstone markers where the buildings once stood, built park’s campground roads, and reconstructed blockhouse. Likewise, they established the visitor Center and also rebuilt five Earthlodges on the On-a-Slant village site.

CCC statue at Abraham Lincoln State Park

The “CCC Worker Statue” is a token of admiration for the hard work this group did in the North Dakota State Parks and. You can find it next to the visitors center.

Commissary Store

The Commissary store in Cavalry Square is a great way to relax and enjoy your visit to the park. In addition, the store offers adorable souvenirs, a historical bookstore, and other exceptional items. My older kids and the husband spent some quality time browsing the shelves.

Commissary store  at Abraham Lincoln State Park

Meanwhile, my favorite part was hanging out in the dandelion field with my 4-year-old. We didn’t worry about time as we chased butterflies! At that particular point, our most important project was to blow puffy white heads off dandelion bouquets.

Mom and boy on parking lot  at Abraham Lincoln State Park

“WOW!”

He laughed every time we set the little paratroopers up into the air. Similarly to the slow-motion movie, they landed one by one as my sone tried catching them.

“Again! Again!“

My eyes followed my son who was busy chasing the last dandelion seed slowly descending into the wild grass.

road by Commissary store at Abraham Lincoln State Park

I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about how absolutely perfect this day went. How unique the history of the Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is! Above all, educational insights are priceless! I could only hope that my kids will remember a thing or two about the Indian Village or the Military Fort. Meanwhile, we continued chasing butterflies.

4 THINGS ABOUT Duluth, MN

Drive or Fly?

Drive. It's a short distance away from Bismarck, ND

How Long to Stay Here

A day to explore the park comfortably.

Will you need a car to get around?

Yes, absolutely!

Family Activities.

Older kids will love the historical landmarks. Younger kids will enjoy the Mandan village and a lot of open space to run around

« My Child Doesn’t Do Well in School. What Should I do?
15 FunPicky Eater School Lunch Ideas Anyone Can Use »

videos

Meet Us

Our family is just like yours and every day here is a play day! Join us for a movie, a good book or a game. Fix a quick dinner or find an incredible way to clean your house. And have you seen our awesome videos? Because everyone knows, a family that plays together - stays together! Read More…

Our Favorite Articles

101 TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH KIDS
30-DAY CLEANING CHALLENGE
BIG BICYCLE SAFETY BOOK
COLD REMEDIES FOR INFANTS CHEAT SHEET
SUMMER CAMP SAVINGS TRACKER
HALLOWEEN COSTUMES IN 10 MINUTES OR LESS

Contact us at

way2goodlife@gmail.com

Money Smart Kid

Teen girl with hadphones working on computer

View more from money smart kid...

Chicago

Kalahari - There is something stunning about the changing seasons in the Midwest. Between fall, winter, spring and summer it's hard to choose which our favorite is. That is why taking a trip to the Midwest is a must. #Midwest #Way2GoodLife #FamilyTravel #travel

View more from Chicago

Copyright © 2025 · Foodie Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

307 shares