Cross Ranch State Park
Quick Facts
Why Center & the Missouri River
Cross Ranch State Park sits along seven miles of one of the last free-flowing, undeveloped stretches of the Missouri River, with an adjacent 6,000-acre Nature Conservancy preserve home to a roaming herd of more than 200 bison. Nearly 17 miles of trails wind through mixed grass prairie and river bottom forest, tracing landscape essentially unchanged since the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through on its way to the Pacific.
This is a genuinely well-run state park along the Missouri River with real trail variety and a helpful, friendly staff reviewers name specifically — a dependable budget pick with more range (cabins, yurts, standard camping) than most North Dakota state parks.
What Makes It Special
- Location: Center, on the Missouri River
- Setting: True primitive outdoor experience, rare in the state
- Site type: Cabins, yurts, and campsites
- Amenities: Missouri River access, kayak rentals, well-maintained trails, cabins and yurts available
- Recreation: Hiking, water activities, and fishing
Pro Tips for Booking
Rent a kayak or canoe. The park offers both two-mile and nine-mile water trails down the Missouri River.
Look for the bison herd. The adjacent Cross Ranch Nature Preserve is home to more than 200 roaming bison.
Try a yurt for something different. It’s a genuine step up from tent camping without losing the outdoor feel.
What to Do Around Here
- Kayaking and canoeing the Missouri River
- Fishing for walleye, pike, and bass
- Hiking nearly 17 miles of trails through prairie and forest
- Bison viewing in the adjacent Cross Ranch Nature Preserve
- The River Peoples Visitor Center, with Lewis and Clark history
