Recreation

Recreational activities abound in Bismarck-Mandan. From theater, ballet and symphony performances to golf, boating, fishing and hunting, Bismarck-Mandan has something to entertain you. In fact, excellent programming and facilities provided by the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District (BRPD) put Bismarck at the head of the class and earned Bismarck the title of Sports Illustrated Sportstown for North Dakota. 

ARTS . . . A vibrant arts community provides opportunities for participants, students, and spectators alike. The Symphony Orchestra, Northern Plains Ballet, Shade Tree Players, Dakota Stage Unlimited, Sleepy Hollow Theater, Bismarck Downtown Art Cooperative ... concerts, recitals, arts and crafts shows, lectures, galleries, museums, ... the list goes on.

GOLF . . . .Excellent golf courses - seven of them - await you in Bismarck-Mandan. Hawktree Golf Club is on Golf Digest's list of the top 100 public courses in the U.S., placed second on the magazine's list of top new courses in the country when it opened, and is on Golfweek's list of Best Modern Golf Courses in the United States. And Riverwood Golf Course has been one of Golf Digest's "Best Public Places to Play" each year since 2009.

HISTORY . . . . A $57.1 million expansion to the Heritage Center on the State Capitol Grounds offers a state-of-the art museum that rivals any across the country.  It’s a destination you don’t want to miss.

Frontier history is alive and well in Bismarck-Mandan and throughout the region. Fort Abraham Lincoln, where Lt. Col George Armstrong Custer and the 7th Calvary rode out on their ill-fated expedition to Little Big Horn, and the On-A-Slant Indian Village’s reconstructed earthlodges offer visitors a trip back in time.

PARKS & REC . . . .Bismarck-Mandan boasts over 50 miles of paved trails for walking, running, biking, or roller blading.  Bismarck and Mandan’s Parks and Recreation Departments provide a wealth of activities to choose from year round for all ages, and maintain a top-notch park system throughout the cities. Bismarck’s park system accounts for 17.5%of the total city area.

SHOPPING & DINING . . . From one-of-a-kind boutiques to national retailers, Bismarck-Mandan retail choices keep growing.  New developments in both cities are in the works for even more selection.  Tired from shopping and looking for a placed to dine?  Take our pick of all types and sizes of dining options.   

WATER . . . . The Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea provide every opportunity for water sports. . . boating, sailing, fishing, water skiing . . . you’re limited only by your imagination. There are 35 recreation areas located on Lake Sakakawea. They include highly developed campgrounds and day use areas, moderately developed areas, and primitive areas. Recreation opportunities at the lake include camping, picnicking, fishing, hunting, boating, water skiing, swimming, bird watching, hiking, biking, and photography.

Bismarck offers three outdoor public swimming pools for summer enjoyment . . . the Hillside pool, the Wachter wave pool, and the Elks aquatic center. Ragin' Rivers Waterpark in Mandan serves up four slides, a "lazy river" to enjoy in an inner tube, and a children's water play area.

ZOO . . . . The Dakota Zoo in Bismarck is North Dakota’s largest zoo, a 90-acre facility housing 600 animals, birds, reptiles and fish representing 125 species and visited by more thatn 150,000 people each year. 

SPORTS . . . . Bismarck-Mandan is home to the AWHL’s Bismarck Bobcats hockey team, as well as the full gamut of high school and college sports. The newly-renovated Community Bowl offers the best seat in the house for football, soccer, and track, while the Bismarck Aquatic Center hosts swimming and diving events. The excitement of the rodeo and the tranquility of a trail ride at sundown can both be experienced in Bismarck-Mandan. Take your pick . . . or take both!