Tourism Dept

The Missouri River's winding trail through Bismarck affords the people of the area an excellent source of aquatic sports fun. The river is known as an excellent fishing destination, but it also attracts fans of swimming, water skiing, and of course, sun bathing!

Get a stunning picture of the incredible art scene when you buy a picture---or several of them–at Bismark's highly popular Five Nations Art Depot. This historic Burlington Northern Railroad Depot has been converted into an eye-popping collection of several different varieties of Native American arts and crafts. The works of more than 200 North Dakota American Indian artists are on display and available for sale, so the chances are better than good that you'll find something you'll want to bring home with you!

If you think that the concept of the cowboy was invented by John Wayne-types, Bismarck's North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame will challenge everything you think you know about cattle rustlers from the past. This attraction is an interpretive center for the history of Native Americans, and you will see the dramatic link between their culture to various “western” traditions like the rodeo, ranching, and the rustic “cowboy” lifestyle that owes much to the tribes that first inhabited the land.

Link history with nature in a truly unforgettable way when you spend some time outdoors at the Camp Hancock State Historic Site. This camping area was originally founded in 1872 as Camp Grely, which was a military settlement established to provide protection for the men working on the Northern Pacific Railroad. The natural setting of the area is breathtaking, and an old log headquarters building, the last original structure, is one of the many highlights. The site is rightfully listed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places.