Tourist Attractions

Don't miss out on these world-class cultural and heritage tourism attractions, museums, national historic site and state parks.

For a tourist information packet, please call the Washburn Convention
& Visitors Bureau at 888-462-8530.

Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan
Missouri River
Sakakawea Scenic Byway
McLean Co. Historical Society Museums and Lewis & Clark Mural
Downtown Washburn: Sioux Ferry and Joe Taylor Cabin
Cross Ranch State Park
Fort Clark State Historical Site
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
Lake Sakakawea State Park
Garrison Dam
Audubon Wildlife Refuge

Request More Information

Audubon Wildlife Refuge

The Audubon National Wildlife Refuge is a haven for area wildlife and
also migratory birds. The refuge has an eight-mile auto tour along Lake Audubon and a one-mile interpretive walking trail, accessible to wheelchairs. Special events are offered from spring through fall; include bird watching classes, tours to nesting islands on Lake Audubon, banding Canada geese, youth hunting education day and nest box workshops. The refuge also offers an observation blind for viewing or photographing sharp-tailed grouse during their courtship rituals each spring. There is ice fishing during winter through March 31, but no summer fishing. For more information, call 701-442-5474.

Cross Ranch State Park

Cross Ranch State Park is located 11 miles south of Washburn. The park is a primitive example of ND's natural beauty. Visit the River People's Visitor Center to learn more about the Missouri River or take advantage of the boat ramp for excellent fishing opportunities. There is also, an extensive trail system that can be explored either on foot or on cross country skis during the winter months. Camp sites are available at the park for both RVs and tents. Canoe rentals available. The park hosts the Missouri River Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival each year. For more information about entrance and camping fees call, 701-794-3731.

Fort Clark

Fort Clark was one of three major fur trading posts on the upper Missouri River. Today the Fort Clark Historic Site, located between Washburn and Stanton on Highway 200A offers a self-guided tour package. Visitors can pick up guide cards at the stone visitor building. These guide cards explain eight locations at the site.

Garrison Dam

The Garrison Dam is located 30 miles north of Washburn between the communities of Pick City and Riverdale, ND. It is the fifth largest dam in the United States and holds back the Missouri River. Garrison Dam offers free, guided tours that are held daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. For more information, call 701-654-7441.

The Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery is the largest walleye and northern pike producing facility in the world and is located at the base of the Garrison Dam. Each year the fish hatchery stocks about 15 million fish of 16 different species. Volunteer guides are available from May through Labor Day. There is also a visitor's center with a self-guided tour available. For more information, call 701-654-7451.

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

Located about 20 minutes from Washburn, near Stanton, ND, the Knife River Indian Villages offer visitors a view into early Native American life. A full-scale, fully furnished earthlodge exhibit is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Visitors can actually enter the round Hidatsa-style earthlodge replica that once dotted the river landscape less than 200 years ago. The Northern Plains Indian Culture Fest is held at Knife River annually in July with a wide variety of activities. A visitor center is open year round and visitors are welcome to a self-guided tour. For more information, call 701-745-3309.

Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan

The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is a commemoration of the heroic adventure of Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark through the great Northwest. Their expedition wintered in 1804 and 1805 near where the Center is located. Within the Interpretive Center you can learn about the entire Lewis and Clark journey, plus take part in interactive exhibits that help you understand what life was like in the early 1800s. The Fort Clark wing adds to your experience; see how the fur trade boomed on the upper Missouri, along with steamboats and smallpox. Take home memorabilia of Lewis and Clark, purchase books written by world-renown authors and view the world-famous artwork of Karl Bodmer, who chronicled Plains Indian life and landscape along the Missouri River.

Fort Mandan greets you with a brand-new visitor center, walking trails, picnic shelters and the fully-furnished reconstructed Fort. There is daily interpretation about fort life and activities from 200 years ago.

The Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan offer many exhibits and events throughout the year.

The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is located at the intersections of U.S. Highway 83 and North Dakota Highway 200A at Washburn. It is open year round with varying hours. Memorial Day through Labor Day, the center is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the remainder of the year it is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $7.50 for adults and $5 for students, kindergarten through college. Members are free! For further information you can call the center at 877-462-8535 or check out the website at www.fortmandan.com.

Lake Sakakawea State Park

Lake Sakakwea is one of the three largest man-made reservoirs in the nation and Lake Sakakawea State Park is located on the south shore of the lake. The park offers a wide variety of recreational activities and facilities. Camp sites, picnic shelters, and hiking trails are also located in the park. A lake festival is held at the park in July, and numerous fishing and sailing derbies are held throughout the summer. For more information, call 701-487-3315.

Mclean County Historical Society Museums and Lewis & Clark Mural

The McLean County Historical Society was organized in 1967 to preserve history and share it with the public. There are two museums operated by the society which contain a variety of exhibits including:

Geology, including various fossils
Wildlife
Lewis & Clark history
Riverboat display
Doctor's office & instruments
Barber and beauty shops
Bedroom
Dining room and kitchen
Laundry room
Farm tools
Military memorabilia and uniforms
Replicas of historic buildings
Native American artifacts
Coal industry history
Many photos, paintings, and scrapbook

The museums are open Memorial Day to Labor Day, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 2 to 5 pm. They are both located on Main Avenue in Washburn. Admission is free but donations are encouraged. For more information, call 701-462-3660.

Local Washburn artist, Bill Reynolds, created a mural of Lewis & Clark's stay at Fort Mandan. Located on Main Street, adjacent to the two McLean County Historical Museums, the mural is colorful and detailed and is located in the heart of downtown Washburn.

Missouri River

It would be impossible to take in the full beauty of Washburn and central North Dakota without experiencing it from the Missouri River. Washburn provides easy access for fishing and boating on the river at the Washburn boat dock. If you want to experience an even bigger adventure on the Missouri, book a ride with Birdwoman Missouri Adventures by calling 701-462-3367, or rent a canoe or kayak at the Lewis & Clark Cafe on Washburn's Main Street, or call 701-462-3668.

Sakakawea Scenic Byway

Highway 200A from Washburn to Stanton was named a state scenic byway in 2006. Enjoy this 23-mile scenic drive as you stop at the historic attractions along the way.

Downtown Washburn: Joe Taylor Cabin & Sioux Ferry

The original cabin of one of Washburn's first residents is still standing. Joe Taylor was a trapper and hunter who had a great interest in nature. He also wrote books and newspaper articles during his 40 years of pioneering in North Dakota.

Located along the river at Washburn's Riverside Park, the Sioux Ferry was one of the last ferries used on the Missouri River. The Ferry was built by Oscar Anderson and took its maiden voyage on Memorial Day 1952, and operated until 1962. The Ferry once transported horses, autos and people from bank to bank. For years, the Sioux provided the only means of getting across the wide Missouri. It was closed down because of navigation problems. The Sioux Ferry is on permanent display at the park.

We welcome your comments on Washburn's newly updated website, please email waedand@westriv.com with comments or changes.