Discover Morton County: History, Trails, and River Landscapes
Accommodation in Morton County
Morton County combines impressive history with trails, river landscapes, and lakes. Anyone looking for a vacation rental or holiday home for this trip should first consider which experiences are meant to define the stay: historic sites, self-guided discoveries, walking trails, fishing spots, or a drive along the Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway. This allows the location of the accommodation to be tailored to personal travel plans without reducing the region to just one type of vacation.
Fort Abraham Lincoln and the History of the Region
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park was established in 1907 and is the oldest state park in North Dakota. The grounds feature reconstructions of the commanding officer’s quarters, the central barracks, the granary, the commissary, and the stables. Until 1874, Fort Abraham Lincoln was a command with nine companies and approximately 650 soldiers. The reconstructed Victorian Custer House is open for living-history tours.
On-a-Slant Village is a state historic site with six reconstructed earth lodges, including a large meeting lodge. A self-guided tour provides insights into the lives of the Mandan who once lived there. A trail begins at the visitor center parking lot and leads to On-a-Slant Indian Village. In the visitor center museum, you can also view exhibits and artifacts.
The military past also extends beyond individual buildings. Fort McKeen was established in June 1872 on a rise above the confluence of the Heart River and Missouri River. Fort Rice became one of the most important military posts on the Upper Missouri River. Those who enjoy combining historic sites with additional museums will find the N.D. State Railroad Museum at 3102 37th St NW and the Mandan Historical Society Museum at 3827 30th Ave NW in Mandan. The New Salem Historical Society/Custer Trail Museum complex comprises ten buildings.
Trails, Rivers, and Lakes for Active Days
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park offers different ways to combine landscape and history. The non-motorized trail network covers almost 20 miles. Scenic trails through the surrounding hills offer views of the floodplains of the Heart River and Missouri River. The Young Hawk Interpretive Trail uses numbered posts and a guide to local history, plants, and wildlife. The Roughrider OHV Trail is 22 miles long and runs between Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park and Fort Rice Campground.
Another non-motorized trail network is the 8.8-mile Scouts Trail System, which is designed for multiple types of use. A trail begins at the confluence of the Missouri River and Heart River and follows a loop along the campground beside the rivers and next to the former Northern Pacific railroad line. Fishing is possible along the banks of both rivers in the park. At Fish Creek Dam, you can fish for largemouth and smallmouth bass, rainbow and brown trout, as well as crappie.
Sweet Briar Lake offers a different landscape experience: The lake has 10.5 miles of shoreline. Walleye, northern pike, perch, bluegill, crappie, and largemouth bass can be found there. Sweet Briar Lake Recreation Area offers basic camping without permanent facilities. Graner Park has 75 campsites with electrical hookups and also provides direct access to the Missouri River. At Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, visitors can stay in cabins or campsites along the rivers.
Planning Excursions and Choosing Suitable Accommodation
For a culture-focused trip, you can include Fort Abraham Lincoln, On-a-Slant Village, and the museums individually in your daily itinerary. For a more nature-oriented trip, the trails, riverbanks, and lakes offer different areas of focus. The Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway begins at the Mandan Depot on Main Street and runs westward to Dickinson. Between Mandan and Dickinson, it passes through hilly rural terrain and small communities.
The Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sims and its adjoining parsonage are also part of the historic selection. Both were established in 1884; the church is described as the oldest Lutheran church in North Dakota west of the Missouri River. When looking for a vacation rental in Morton County, it is therefore worth determining your planned priorities first and then checking the location of the accommodation in relation to your desired destinations. For additional local orientation, you can also view Saint Anthony and Mandan.
For the overall travel overview: North Dakota.
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