Cross Ranch State Park

Cross Ranch State Park is a 569-acre property along the Missouri River near Washburn offering trails through mixed grass prairies, river bottom forests, and wooded ravines. The landscape shifts between open prairie and shaded woods that line the river.

The land once belonged to A.G. Gaines, a railroad scout in the 1800s, before The Nature Conservancy acquired and donated portions to establish the park. This transition transformed the property from private ownership into public conservation land.

Trail names like Matah and Ma-ak-oti reflect the Native American heritage tied to this land, honoring the people who have long inhabited areas near the river. Walking these paths connects visitors to the history and significance these places hold for local communities.

The park provides camping options ranging from basic tent sites to equipped cabins and yurts to suit different preferences. Boat rentals and a launch ramp allow visitors easy access to the river for paddling or exploration.

An adjacent nature preserve of approximately 6000 acres is home to a free-roaming bison herd of around 200 animals. Visitors may observe these large animals in their grassland habitat, offering a rare view of native prairie wildlife.