Educational Trails
Atkinson Nature Park
This natural wooded area is located just south of the Walt Neuens Horse Arena, 1921 Riverwood Dr. There is a 1.65 mile hiking and horse trail that has interpretive panels and lessons. The trail connects users to the existing trail system, too.
Bill Mills Nature Trail
Stroll along this gravel trail and learn how the Missouri River is important to our history and community and how it provides vital habitat for seasonal and year-round animal species. This quiet trail provides views of the river and its peaceful backwaters, a short jaunt from the main trails of Sertoma Park, 300 Riverside Park Road.
Chief Looking’s Earthlodge Village Interpretive Trail
This 0.55 mile trail is as enjoyable as it is educational. Located on the Pioneer Park Overlook off Burnt Boat Road, this trail covers the layout and features of the Earthlodge Village occupied by the Mandan Indian Tribe dating back to 1675.
Learn more about Chief Looking’s Village.
Hay Creek Trail
The 5-mile shared-use trail provides recreational and educational opportunities throughout Burleigh County. It acts as a corridor providing access to cultural and recreational facilities, including the performing arts space at Sleepy Hollow Park, Pebble Creek Golf Course, and Missouri Valley Complex. The trail winds through a native creek area enhanced by environmental management practices, which preserve the natural stream bed and provide stormwater management. The trail weaves through both residential and commercial developments in eastern Bismarck, as it is “connecting people to places” – our recreational trail development theme. Hay Creek Trail allows users access to recreational, educational and environmental experiences along its path. In addition, this trail allows users to enjoy a wide range of activities, including biking and wildlife observation. (National Recreation Trail designation – 2002)
General Sibley Park and Campground Interpretive Trail
Stroll along the 0.6 mile interpretive trail and involve yourself with the historical and environmental panels that tell a unique story of the place. The trail winds along the western edge of the General Sibley Park, with views of the mighty Missouri River.
Missouri Valley Millennium Legacy Trail
Bismarck and Mandan share the honor of being named one of 52 national Millennium Legacy Trail designations for the Missouri Valley Millennium Trail. This trail connects all things historical, recreational and cultural along the Missouri River. The trail starts at Chief Looking’s Village in Bismarck, continues along the riverfront trail, past the Dakota Zoo, crossing over the Missouri River at either Memorial Bridge or the Expressway Bridge to Mandan, where the trail travels through some amazing historical scenery all the way to Fort Lincoln State Park. View a map of the Bismarck portion of the trail.
The Millennium Trails initiative promotes trails as a means of preserving open spaces, interpreting history and culture, enhancing recreation and tourism, improving physical fitness, and connecting our daily lives with the natural environment. Under this initiative, trails across America were recognized, enhanced, or built as part of our nation’s legacy for the new millennium. These include hiking trails, bicycle paths, greenways and scenic byways through rural and urban landscapes, and cultural and heritage trails that preserve and commemorate major events in our nation’s history. The promise and challenge of Millennium Trails is to preserve and enhance a precious part of our national heritage for future generations of Americans to treasure and enjoy. The Missouri Valley Millennium Trail received this designation in 2001.
Rotary Club Arboretum Trail
This gravel trail on Divide Avenue and College Drive (north corner of Tom O’Leary Golf Course) is designed to showcase a variety of plant life, including native trees and shrubbery, as well as non-native plant life. The George Bird Rotary Park Arboretum Trail is a cooperative project of the Park District, Bismarck Forestry Department and Bismarck Rotary Club.
Zonta Park
The Play Trail at Zonta Park offers educational signs highlighting the prairie restoration that is happening onsite and teaching visitors about all the pollinators that visit the park.
History of Baseball in Bismarck
A series of interpretive panels at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark showcase the history of baseball in Bismarck, starting in the 1870s with teams from army posts in the area, through the 1930s when Satchel Paige played, leading the first integrated baseball team to a national championship. The panels continue through rich, historical baseball eras, leading up to the start of American Legion teams, several ballpark renovations and the start of a Northwoods League team, Bismarck Larks, in 2017.
Bismarck Municipal Ballpark is a seasonal facility open approximately April through September, meaning access to view the historical panels is based on the facility being open.
